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UO

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CAPublicCity Setting
Less Selective • 66% Acceptance
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Add to list:
66%
Accept Rate
Less Selective
$17,890
Avg Net Cost
After financial aid
17.9K
Students
Large campus body
$49,716
Median Earnings
6 Years Post-Graduation

Overview & Identity

University of California-Santa Cruz is a public institution located in the city setting of Santa Cruz, CA. The university supports an undergraduate student body of 17.9K students and has an admission acceptance rate of 66%.

Quick Facts

Institution Type
Public
Student Population
17.9K (Large)
Admissions Selectivity
66% (Less Selective)
Predominant Degree
Bachelor's
Locale / Setting
City

Admissions & Academics

Admitted Student Scores

SAT ReadingNot Reported
SAT MathNot Reported
ACT CompositeNot Reported
66%
Acceptance Rate
Less Selective

Top Majors & Programs

Biological Sciences15% of degrees
Social Sciences12% of degrees
Business & Marketing7% of degrees
Engineering4% of degrees

Programs / Fields of Study

Program
Credential
Earnings 4yr
Earnings 5yr
Debt
Computer Engineering.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $124,641
Earnings 5yr: $137,877
Debt: $23,392
Computer Science.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $123,422
Earnings 5yr: $120,928
Debt: $16,666
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $118,290
Earnings 5yr: $124,740
Debt: $17,048
Economics.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $110,425
Earnings 5yr: $87,173
Debt: N/A
Biomedical/Medical Engineering.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $98,567
Earnings 5yr: $98,115
Debt: $22,500
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $94,589
Earnings 5yr: $108,700
Debt: $20,020
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $88,305
Earnings 5yr: $75,833
Debt: $18,959
Business/Managerial Economics.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $82,064
Earnings 5yr: $89,932
Debt: $16,500
Economics.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $76,382
Earnings 5yr: $88,583
Debt: $18,017
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research.
Credential: Master's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $73,343
Earnings 5yr: $66,992
Debt: N/A
Cognitive Science.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $72,125
Earnings 5yr: $76,561
Debt: $19,500
Chemistry.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $71,348
Earnings 5yr: $66,290
Debt: $15,000
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology.
Credential: Doctoral Degree
Earnings 4yr: $70,373
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: N/A
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $69,849
Earnings 5yr: $79,429
Debt: $19,000
Neurobiology and Neurosciences.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $69,027
Earnings 5yr: $63,496
Debt: $19,500
Design and Applied Arts.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $66,333
Earnings 5yr: N/A
Debt: N/A
Non-Professional Legal Studies.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $66,244
Earnings 5yr: $62,817
Debt: $18,416
Political Science and Government.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $65,890
Earnings 5yr: $63,776
Debt: $16,782
Biology, General.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $65,036
Earnings 5yr: $70,452
Debt: $20,703
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences.
Credential: Bachelor's Degree
Earnings 4yr: $64,499
Earnings 5yr: $72,711
Debt: $20,833

Tuition & Cost Portrait

Avg Net Price$17,890
In-State Tuition$16,005
Out-of-State Tuition$50,205
Net Price DifferentiatorAverage Net Price is what typical families actually pay out of pocket after receiving federal, state, and institutional grants and scholarships. It provides a more accurate metric of affordability than the sticker tuition.

Financial Assistance & Support

32%
Pell Grants
28%
Take Loans
75%
Repayment

Student Outcomes & ROI

Earnings Milestones Post-Graduation

6 Years Post-Entry
$49,716
+38% growth
10 Years Post-Entry
$68,396

Completion Signals

75%
Graduation Rate
4-Year Completion
88%
Retention Rate
1st-to-2nd Year Return
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,334
Est. Monthly Payment
$155/mo
Based on standard 10yr path

Campus & Demographics

Student Demographics & Community

Diversity Mix

Hover or tap a bubble above to explore detailed community insights.

Gender Balance

47%
Men
53%
Women
The campus gender distribution displays a split of 47% men and 53% women.

Student Vitals

First-Gen Share
37%
Part-Time Share
3%
Avg Family Income
$61,406
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