CU Boulder vs. UCSC
University of Colorado Boulder and University of California Santa Cruz side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
University of Colorado Boulder
University of California Santa Cruz
At a glance
- Harder to get into: UCSC (65.8% admitted vs 78.1%). Typical SAT 1260 vs 1340.
- Cheaper after aid: UCSC. Average net price is $18,059 vs $26,231 at CU Boulder.
- Graduation: CU Boulder 68% vs UCSC 73%.
- Earnings 10 years out: CU Boulder $56,900 vs UCSC $50,400 (median).
Acceptance rate
UCSC more selective
CU Boulder78.1%
UCSC65.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
CU Boulder higher
CU Boulder1240-1430
UCSC1160-1360
Average net price
UCSC $8,172 less
CU Boulder$26,231
UCSC$18,059
In-state tuition
CU Boulder $339 less
CU Boulder$15,666
UCSC$16,005
Out-of-state tuition
CU Boulder $5,287 less
CU Boulder$44,918
UCSC$50,205
Graduation rate
UCSC +5 pts
CU Boulder68%
UCSC73%
Median earnings (10 years)
CU Boulder +$6,500
CU Boulder$56,900
UCSC$50,400
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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CU Boulder My Chances
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UCSC My Chances
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- Applied
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CU Boulder 67,286
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UCSC 71,722
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- Admitted
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CU Boulder 52,539
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UCSC 47,186
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- Acceptance rate
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CU Boulder 78.1%
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UCSC 65.8%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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CU Boulder 14.1%
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UCSC 9.3%
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- Typical SAT score
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CU Boulder 1340
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UCSC 1260
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- Typical ACT score
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CU Boulder 31
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UCSC 29
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- Average high school GPA
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CU Boulder 3.68
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UCSC 3.63
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- Typical high school grades
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CU Boulder A-
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UCSC A-
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- Admissions standards
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CU Boulder Very High
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UCSC Very High
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- Applicant competition
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CU Boulder
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UCSC Low
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- SAT range
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CU Boulder 1240-1430
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UCSC 1160-1360
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- ACT range
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CU Boulder 29-33
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UCSC 25-33
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- Submit test scores
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CU Boulder Test optional
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UCSC Test-free
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- Application deadline
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CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027
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UCSC Nov 30, 2026
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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CU Boulder $15,666
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UCSC $16,005
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- Tuition (out of state)
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CU Boulder $44,918
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UCSC $50,205
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- Room & board
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CU Boulder $18,468
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UCSC $19,948
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- Average net price
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CU Boulder $26,231
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UCSC $18,059
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- Average grant aid
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CU Boulder $11,225
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UCSC $22,774
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- % receiving grant aid
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CU Boulder 53%
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UCSC 57%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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CU Boulder 68%
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UCSC 73%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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CU Boulder $56,900
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UCSC $50,400
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- Making student loan payments
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CU Boulder 73%
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UCSC 74%
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- Median student loan debt
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CU Boulder $19,500
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UCSC $19,959
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- Median loan payment
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CU Boulder $201
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UCSC $206
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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CU Boulder 19:1
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UCSC 22:1
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- Popular majors
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CU Boulder
- Social Sciences (16%)
- Business (12%)
- Biology (10%)
- Psychology (10%)
- Communication (8%)
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UCSC
- Social Sciences (17%)
- Biology (14%)
- Psychology (11%)
- Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
- Business (9%)
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School basics
- School
- CU Boulder University of Colorado Boulder
- Location
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CU Boulder Boulder, CO
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UCSC Santa Cruz, CA
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- Setting
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CU Boulder Small City
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UCSC Small City
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- Total enrollment
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CU Boulder 38,799
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UCSC 19,938
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- Type
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CU Boulder Public 4 Year
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UCSC Public 4 Year
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- National ranking
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CU Boulder #199
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UCSC #255
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Comparable Facts
Compare University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO with University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
University of Colorado Boulder is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (38,799 students vs. 19,938 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- University of Colorado Boulder is located in Boulder, CO (Small City setting); University of California Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting).
- University of Colorado Boulder is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Colorado Boulder 19:1; University of California Santa Cruz 22:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Colorado Boulder are 7.4% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($18,468 vs. $19,948).
- Out-of-state tuition is 11.8% higher at UCSC than at University of Colorado Boulder (about $5,287 more per year; $50,205 vs. $44,918).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Cruz than at University of Colorado Boulder (57% vs. 53%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 102.9% larger than aid received by University of Colorado Boulder students ($22,774 vs. $11,225).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at CU Boulder than at UCSC (31 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test optional at CU Boulder, test-free at UCSC.
- Typical fall application deadline: CU Boulder Jan 15, 2027; UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
- Enrolled first-year students at CU Boulder average a 3.68 high school GPA, 0.05 higher than at UCSC (3.63).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.1% at CU Boulder vs. 9.3% at UCSC.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Colorado Boulder graduates have a $459 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($19,500 vs. $19,959).
- Among borrowers, CU Boulder graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($201 vs. $206).
- More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CU Boulder students, three years after graduation (74% vs. 73%).
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
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