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University of California-Santa Cruz

University of California-Santa Cruz is a public campus in Santa Cruz proper — federal locale codes class it as urban. The federal record identifies it as a land-grant institution.

Compare this schoolFind colleges

What could it cost?

Start with net price after grants, then read the published costs. Each chart names its academic year and the students it covers.

Net price by family income

key chart

Average annual cost after grants for each family-income band. These group averages are not personal price quotes.

IPEDS Income brackets, 2022–23
family-income band
$9,472
family income
under $30k
$10,114
$30–48k
$13,001
$48–75k
$18,786
$75–110k
$32,674
over $110k

Average net price

$17,8902023–24Skip to data table

Average annual attendance cost after grants for the reported student group. Your own aid offer and costs may differ.

$15k$16k$17k$18k$19k200820232008: $16,1222009: $15,9172010: $15,3892011: $16,8712012: $15,1072013: $16,0862014: $17,2052015: $16,9892016: $17,8842017: $17,6992018: $18,1862019: $17,9302020: $18,8282021: $17,6012022: $16,6072023: $17,890$17,890
$16k$18k200820232008: $16,1222009: $15,9172010: $15,3892011: $16,8712012: $15,1072013: $16,0862014: $17,2052015: $16,9892016: $17,8842017: $17,6992018: $18,1862019: $17,9302020: $18,8282021: $17,6012022: $16,6072023: $17,890$17,890

Average net price at University of California-Santa Cruz rose from $16,122 (2008) to $17,890 (2023).

Average net price — data
YearNet price
2008$16,122
2009$15,917
2010$15,389
2011$16,871
2012$15,107
2013$16,086
2014$17,205
2015$16,989
2016$17,884
2017$17,699
2018$18,186
2019$17,930
2020$18,828
2021$17,601
2022$16,607
2023$17,890
IPEDS 16 federal reports, 2008–2023

Total cost of attendance

$41,1792024–25Skip to data table

Estimated annual attendance budget before grants, including tuition, fees, housing, food and books. Not every expense is billed by the school.

$25k$30k$35k$40k200920242009: $25,8752010: $27,9712011: $30,6702012: $32,9142013: $33,2082014: $33,0362015: $34,1252016: $34,6082017: $35,3152018: $35,9822019: $36,1152020: $35,9252021: $37,0402022: $37,7072023: $38,6492024: $41,179$41,179
$25k$30k$35k$40k200920242009: $25,8752010: $27,9712011: $30,6702012: $32,9142013: $33,2082014: $33,0362015: $34,1252016: $34,6082017: $35,3152018: $35,9822019: $36,1152020: $35,9252021: $37,0402022: $37,7072023: $38,6492024: $41,179$41,179

Total cost at University of California-Santa Cruz rose from $25,875 (2009) to $41,179 (2024).

Total cost of attendance — data
YearCost
2009$25,875
2010$27,971
2011$30,670
2012$32,914
2013$33,208
2014$33,036
2015$34,125
2016$34,608
2017$35,315
2018$35,982
2019$36,115
2020$35,925
2021$37,040
2022$37,707
2023$38,649
2024$41,179
IPEDS Academic-year cost 2009–2024

Tuition (in-state vs out-of-state)

Skip to data table

Published tuition and fees before grants. Housing, food, books and other attendance costs are separate.

In-stateOut-of-state
$0$10k$20k$30k$40k200020232000: $4,2502001: $4,2992002: $4,3852003: $6,1912004: $7,0232005: $6,9492006: $7,0172007: $7,6462008: $8,2002013: $13,3972014: $13,3972015: $13,4612016: $13,5392017: $14,0202018: $13,9602019: $13,9912020: $14,0252021: $14,0702022: $14,2402023: $14,560$14,560 in2000: $14,8642001: $15,3732002: $16,7642003: $20,4012004: $23,9792005: $24,7692006: $25,7012007: $25,7182008: $28,7782013: $36,2752014: $36,2752015: $38,1692016: $40,2212017: $42,0342018: $42,9522019: $43,7452020: $43,7792021: $43,8242022: $44,3122023: $45,337$45,337 out
$0$20k$40k200020232000: $4,2502001: $4,2992002: $4,3852003: $6,1912004: $7,0232005: $6,9492006: $7,0172007: $7,6462008: $8,2002013: $13,3972014: $13,3972015: $13,4612016: $13,5392017: $14,0202018: $13,9602019: $13,9912020: $14,0252021: $14,0702022: $14,2402023: $14,560$14,560 in2000: $14,8642001: $15,3732002: $16,7642003: $20,4012004: $23,9792005: $24,7692006: $25,7012007: $25,7182008: $28,7782013: $36,2752014: $36,2752015: $38,1692016: $40,2212017: $42,0342018: $42,9522019: $43,7452020: $43,7792021: $43,8242022: $44,3122023: $45,337$45,337 out

Tuition — data
YearIn-stateOut-of-state
2000$4,250$14,864
2001$4,299$15,373
2002$4,385$16,764
2003$6,191$20,401
2004$7,023$23,979
2005$6,949$24,769
2006$7,017$25,701
2007$7,646$25,718
2008$8,200$28,778
2013$13,397$36,275
2014$13,397$36,275
2015$13,461$38,169
2016$13,539$40,221
2017$14,020$42,034
2018$13,960$42,952
2019$13,991$43,745
2020$14,025$43,779
2021$14,070$43,824
2022$14,240$44,312
2023$14,560$45,337
IPEDS Published price 2000–01 to 2023–24 (not adjusted for inflation)
Cost, size & completion summary

Cost, size & completion

University of California-Santa Cruz reports published tuition by residency: $16,005 in-state versus $50,205 out-of-state — a $34,200 gap that makes state lines part of the decision. Scorecard snapshot: 2026-06-10; historical charts show their own years.

University of California-Santa Cruz reports 17,940 undergraduates. This total does not establish class sizes for a particular subject.

75.1% of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants completed at University of California-Santa Cruz within six years (2026-06-10 release). This measure excludes other student groups.

Do students finish — and what comes after?

Graduation, debt and earnings cover different groups. Read each chart's entering class or fiscal period; they are not one group's journey.

Six-year graduation rate

key chart
75.1%entered Fall 2018Skip to data table

The share of first-time, full-time bachelor's entrants who completed at this institution within six years. Other students are not included.

65%70%75%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 65%entered 1993: 67.7%entered 1994: 64.1%entered 1995: 63.2%entered 1996: 66.8%entered 1997: 65.4%entered 1998: 69.4%entered 1999: 70.1%entered 2000: 69.6%entered 2001: 68.3%entered 2002: 71.5%entered 2003: 73.3%entered 2004: 74.2%entered 2005: 73.4%entered 2006: 74.5%entered 2007: 72.7%entered 2008: 77.3%entered 2009: 78.3%entered 2010: 76.9%entered 2011: 77.2%entered 2012: 74.5%entered 2013: 75%entered 2014: 75.5%entered 2015: 78.1%entered 2016: 76.9%entered 2017: 74.5%entered 2018: 75.1%75.1%
65%70%75%entered 1991entered 2018entered 1991: 65%entered 1993: 67.7%entered 1994: 64.1%entered 1995: 63.2%entered 1996: 66.8%entered 1997: 65.4%entered 1998: 69.4%entered 1999: 70.1%entered 2000: 69.6%entered 2001: 68.3%entered 2002: 71.5%entered 2003: 73.3%entered 2004: 74.2%entered 2005: 73.4%entered 2006: 74.5%entered 2007: 72.7%entered 2008: 77.3%entered 2009: 78.3%entered 2010: 76.9%entered 2011: 77.2%entered 2012: 74.5%entered 2013: 75%entered 2014: 75.5%entered 2015: 78.1%entered 2016: 76.9%entered 2017: 74.5%entered 2018: 75.1%75.1%

The six-year graduation rate at University of California-Santa Cruz rose from 67.7% (entered 1993) to 75.1% (entered 2018).

A six-year rate can only describe a class that entered six or more years ago — by definition the last point on the line is that old.

Six-year graduation rate — data
YearGraduated within 6 yrs
1991 cohort65%
1993 cohort67.7%
1994 cohort64.1%
1995 cohort63.2%
1996 cohort66.8%
1997 cohort65.4%
1998 cohort69.4%
1999 cohort70.1%
2000 cohort69.6%
2001 cohort68.3%
2002 cohort71.5%
2003 cohort73.3%
2004 cohort74.2%
2005 cohort73.4%
2006 cohort74.5%
2007 cohort72.7%
2008 cohort77.3%
2009 cohort78.3%
2010 cohort76.9%
2011 cohort77.2%
2012 cohort74.5%
2013 cohort75%
2014 cohort75.5%
2015 cohort78.1%
2016 cohort76.9%
2017 cohort74.5%
2018 cohort75.1%
IPEDS Entering cohorts 1991–2018

Median debt at exit (completers vs non-completers)

Historical student groups
key chart
Skip to data table

Median federal student loan debt when students left school, shown separately for those who completed and those who did not.

CompletedLeft without degree
$5k$10k$15k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $13,520Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $14,699Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $15,817Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $18,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $19,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $19,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $19,797Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $19,950Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $19,700Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $19,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $18,408Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $17,484Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $16,666$16,666 completedLeft school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $10,608Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $10,916Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $9,250Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $7,333Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,700Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $6,551Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,643Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $10,717Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $10,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $10,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $9,267Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $9,166$9,166 left
$5k$10k$15k$20kLeft school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $13,520Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $14,699Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $15,817Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $18,000Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $19,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $19,500Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $19,797Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $19,950Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $19,700Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $19,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $18,408Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $17,484Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $16,666$16,666 completedLeft school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06): $10,608Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07): $10,916Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09): $11,000Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10): $9,250Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11): $7,333Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12): $7,500Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13): $7,000Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14): $6,700Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15): $6,551Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16): $8,643Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17): $10,717Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18): $10,000Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19): $10,000Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20): $9,267Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21): $9,166$9,166 left

Each point combines two years. Neighboring points share one year, so changes should be read with that overlap in mind.

These two-year windows closed before today's students borrowed — they describe past cohorts, not the current price of a degree.

Median debt at exit — data
YearCompletedLeft without degree
Left school in fiscal years 2005 and 2006 (FY2005/06)—$10,608
Left school in fiscal years 2006 and 2007 (FY2006/07)—$10,916
Left school in fiscal years 2008 and 2009 (FY2008/09)$13,520$11,000
Left school in fiscal years 2009 and 2010 (FY2009/10)$14,699$9,250
Left school in fiscal years 2010 and 2011 (FY2010/11)$15,817$7,333
Left school in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 (FY2011/12)$18,000$7,500
Left school in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 (FY2012/13)$19,000$7,000
Left school in fiscal years 2013 and 2014 (FY2013/14)$19,500$6,700
Left school in fiscal years 2014 and 2015 (FY2014/15)$19,797$6,551
Left school in fiscal years 2015 and 2016 (FY2015/16)$19,950$8,643
Left school in fiscal years 2016 and 2017 (FY2016/17)$19,700$10,717
Left school in fiscal years 2017 and 2018 (FY2017/18)$19,000$10,000
Left school in fiscal years 2018 and 2019 (FY2018/19)$18,408$10,000
Left school in fiscal years 2019 and 2020 (FY2019/20)$17,484$9,267
Left school in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (FY2020/21)$16,666$9,166
NSLDS GRAD_DEBT_MDN / WDRAW_DEBT_MDN, merged FY periods · via College Scorecard

Earnings after entry

Historical student groups

Median annual earnings after entering college, for federally aided students who were working and not enrolled when measured.

Entered: academic years 2013–14 or 2014–15
$49,716
6 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2011–12 or 2012–13
$59,302
8 years after entry
Entered: academic years 2009–10 or 2010–11
$68,396
10 years after entry

Each figure covers a different group of students who entered college in the stated years. Earnings were measured in the same two years; these are not one group followed over time.

Measured in 2020–21, adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars. Each figure pools two entering academic years.

Treasury Pooled entering cohorts · Scorecard 2020–21 historical file

What does the admissions record show?

Rates and score ranges describe a past admissions cycle. Submitted scores are not cutoffs or a prediction of admission.

Admissions snapshot & test policies

University of California-Santa Cruz admitted 47,186 of 71,722 applicants in Fall 2024. The 65.8% rate describes that application pool.

65.8%
acceptance rate · Fall 2024 admissions cycle
rate trend$14,560 in-state tuition · 2023–2417,940 undergraduates · Fall 2024
Tests not considered · Fall 2024

Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →

Admissions

University of California-Santa Cruz did not consider scores in the Fall 2024 admissions cycle. No score range is displayed for University of California-Santa Cruz under that historical policy.

Check current requirements with admissions.

In the Fall 2024 cycle, University of California-Santa Cruz received 71,722 applications and admitted 47,186 (65.8%), with 4,383 enrolling.

Acceptance rate

65.8%Fall 2024Skip to data table

The share of applicants offered a spot — lower means more selective; read it alongside the score ranges below.

50%60%70%80%200120242001: 80.5%2002: 80.8%2003: 82.6%2004: 78.9%2005: 68.6%2006: 74.3%2007: 79.5%2008: 81.1%2009: 71.7%2010: 63.5%2011: 63.8%2012: 67.3%2013: 59.9%2014: 55.7%2015: 50.3%2016: 57.9%2017: 50.9%2018: 47.4%2019: 51.3%2020: 64.7%2021: 58.6%2022: 46.9%2023: 62.5%2024: 65.8%65.8%
60%80%200120242001: 80.5%2002: 80.8%2003: 82.6%2004: 78.9%2005: 68.6%2006: 74.3%2007: 79.5%2008: 81.1%2009: 71.7%2010: 63.5%2011: 63.8%2012: 67.3%2013: 59.9%2014: 55.7%2015: 50.3%2016: 57.9%2017: 50.9%2018: 47.4%2019: 51.3%2020: 64.7%2021: 58.6%2022: 46.9%2023: 62.5%2024: 65.8%65.8%

Read University of California-Santa Cruz's change from 80.5% to 65.8% as a share of applications, not an explanation of admissions decisions. This describes Fall 2001 to Fall 2024.

Acceptance rate — data
YearAcceptance rate
Fall 200180.5%
Fall 200280.8%
Fall 200382.6%
Fall 200478.9%
Fall 200568.6%
Fall 200674.3%
Fall 200779.5%
Fall 200881.1%
Fall 200971.7%
Fall 201063.5%
Fall 201163.8%
Fall 201267.3%
Fall 201359.9%
Fall 201455.7%
Fall 201550.3%
Fall 201657.9%
Fall 201750.9%
Fall 201847.4%
Fall 201951.3%
Fall 202064.7%
Fall 202158.6%
Fall 202246.9%
Fall 202362.5%
Fall 202465.8%
IPEDS Fall cycles 2001–2024

SAT range (section sums, 25th–75th)

1160–1360Fall 2020 · submittersSkip to data table

Sums of the reading/writing and math percentiles among enrolled submitters — not percentiles of total SAT scores or admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA1000120014002016 REDESIGN2001202020162001: 10302002: 10302003: 11202004: 10302005: 10502006: 10502007: 10202008: 10202009: 10302010: 10302011: 10002012: 10202013: 9602014: 9902015: 10502016: 10602017: 11602018: 11902019: 12002020: 116011602001: 12602002: 12702003: 12502004: 12602005: 12802006: 12702007: 12602008: 12502009: 12702010: 12702011: 12702012: 12602013: 12302014: 12702015: 13002016: 12902017: 13402018: 14002019: 13802020: 13601360
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA1000120014002016 REDESIGN2001202020162001: 10302002: 10302003: 11202004: 10302005: 10502006: 10502007: 10202008: 10202009: 10302010: 10302011: 10002012: 10202013: 9602014: 9902015: 10502016: 10602017: 11602018: 11902019: 12002020: 116011602001: 12602002: 12702003: 12502004: 12602005: 12802006: 12702007: 12602008: 12502009: 12702010: 12702011: 12702012: 12602013: 12302014: 12702015: 13002016: 12902017: 13402018: 14002019: 13802020: 13601360

SAT range (section sums) — data
Year25th75th
Fall 200110301260
Fall 200210301270
Fall 200311201250
Fall 200410301260
Fall 200510501280
Fall 200610501270
Fall 200710201260
Fall 200810201250
Fall 200910301270
Fall 201010301270
Fall 201110001270
Fall 201210201260
Fall 20139601230
Fall 20149901270
Fall 201510501300
Fall 201610601290
Fall 201711601340
Fall 201811901400
Fall 201912001380
Fall 202011601360
IPEDS Fall 2001–2020, submitters only

ACT middle 50%

25–33Fall 2020 · submittersSkip to data table

The middle half of enrolled ACT submitters, using published composite-score percentiles — not admission cutoffs.

TEST-OPTIONAL ERA202530200120202001: 212002: 212004: 212005: 212006: 212007: 212008: 212009: 222010: 222011: 212012: 212013: 202014: 232015: 252016: 252017: 262018: 262019: 262020: 25252001: 272002: 272004: 262005: 272006: 272007: 272008: 272009: 272010: 282011: 272012: 272013: 262014: 292015: 302016: 302017: 312018: 322019: 322020: 3333
TEST-OPTIONAL ERA202530200120202001: 212002: 212004: 212005: 212006: 212007: 212008: 212009: 222010: 222011: 212012: 212013: 202014: 232015: 252016: 252017: 262018: 262019: 262020: 25252001: 272002: 272004: 262005: 272006: 272007: 272008: 272009: 272010: 282011: 272012: 272013: 262014: 292015: 302016: 302017: 312018: 322019: 322020: 3333

ACT middle 50% — data
Year25th75th
Fall 20012127
Fall 20022127
Fall 20042126
Fall 20052127
Fall 20062127
Fall 20072127
Fall 20082127
Fall 20092227
Fall 20102228
Fall 20112127
Fall 20122127
Fall 20132026
Fall 20142329
Fall 20152530
Fall 20162530
Fall 20172631
Fall 20182632
Fall 20192632
Fall 20202533
IPEDS Fall 2001–2020, submitters only

What is the campus like?

Enrollment counts a campus population; retention follows first-years returning. Their dates and populations are shown separately.

Undergraduate enrollment

17,940Fall 2024Skip to data table

Reported undergraduate enrollment. This count does not measure class size or teaching access.

14k16k18k200220242002: 12,8392003: 13,6212004: 13,6472005: 13,5882006: 13,9412007: 14,3812008: 15,1252009: 15,2592010: 15,6682011: 15,9452012: 15,9782013: 15,6952014: 16,2772015: 16,2312016: 16,9622017: 17,5772018: 17,7922019: 17,5172020: 17,2072021: 17,8642022: 17,5022023: 17,8122024: 17,94017,940
14k16k18k200220242002: 12,8392003: 13,6212004: 13,6472005: 13,5882006: 13,9412007: 14,3812008: 15,1252009: 15,2592010: 15,6682011: 15,9452012: 15,9782013: 15,6952014: 16,2772015: 16,2312016: 16,9622017: 17,5772018: 17,7922019: 17,5172020: 17,2072021: 17,8642022: 17,5022023: 17,8122024: 17,94017,940

Undergraduate enrollment at University of California-Santa Cruz rose from 12,839 (Fall 2002) to 17,940 (Fall 2024).

Undergraduate enrollment — data
YearUndergraduates
Fall 200212,839
Fall 200313,621
Fall 200413,647
Fall 200513,588
Fall 200613,941
Fall 200714,381
Fall 200815,125
Fall 200915,259
Fall 201015,668
Fall 201115,945
Fall 201215,978
Fall 201315,695
Fall 201416,277
Fall 201516,231
Fall 201616,962
Fall 201717,577
Fall 201817,792
Fall 201917,517
Fall 202017,207
Fall 202117,864
Fall 202217,502
Fall 202317,812
Fall 202417,940
IPEDS Fall headcounts 2002–2024

First-year retention (full-time)

88%Fall 2023 cohortSkip to data table

The share of the reported first-time student group who returned the following year. This rate does not explain why others left.

86%88%90%200320232003: 88%2004: 88%2005: 88%2006: 89%2007: 88%2008: 89%2009: 89%2010: 91%2011: 91%2012: 89%2013: 89%2014: 88%2015: 90%2016: 91%2017: 88%2018: 89%2019: 85%2020: 89%2021: 88%2022: 90%2023: 88%88%
86%88%90%200320232003: 88%2004: 88%2005: 88%2006: 89%2007: 88%2008: 89%2009: 89%2010: 91%2011: 91%2012: 89%2013: 89%2014: 88%2015: 90%2016: 91%2017: 88%2018: 89%2019: 85%2020: 89%2021: 88%2022: 90%2023: 88%88%

First-year retention at University of California-Santa Cruz has held near 88% from Fall 2003 to Fall 2023.

First-year retention — data
YearRetention
Fall 2003 cohort88%
Fall 2004 cohort88%
Fall 2005 cohort88%
Fall 2006 cohort89%
Fall 2007 cohort88%
Fall 2008 cohort89%
Fall 2009 cohort89%
Fall 2010 cohort91%
Fall 2011 cohort91%
Fall 2012 cohort89%
Fall 2013 cohort89%
Fall 2014 cohort88%
Fall 2015 cohort90%
Fall 2016 cohort91%
Fall 2017 cohort88%
Fall 2018 cohort89%
Fall 2019 cohort85%
Fall 2020 cohort89%
Fall 2021 cohort88%
Fall 2022 cohort90%
Fall 2023 cohort88%
IPEDS Full-time cohorts 2003–2023
More about University of California-Santa Cruz

Faculty pay at University of California-Santa Cruz averages $215,928 a year, annualized from reported monthly pay. Carnegie classes University of California-Santa Cruz as a primarily residential campus of 17,940 undergraduates — and 87.9% of the reported first-time, full-time student group returned for a second year.

University of California-Santa Cruz reported not considering test scores in Fall 2024, when its admission rate was 65.8%. Review University of California-Santa Cruz's current requirements before applying; use the GPA calculator for your semester numbers.

Why some charts are marked “key chart”
key chart

Start with three useful questions: what costs were reported for families in your income band, how many first-time full-time students finished, and what federal debt borrowers held when leaving.

How University of California-Santa Cruz compares

State and national medians cover active bachelor-primary institutions, mixing public and private schools. Tuition uses in-state rates at public schools. These are broad reference points, not a ranking of similar schools or your likely bill.

Scorecard dates identify the release snapshot, not a shared measurement year. Earnings describe federally aided students who were working and not enrolled ten years after entry; cohorts and populations differ from the admissions and tuition figures.

Acceptance rate

Fall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS

University of California-Santa Cruz65.8%
California median74.4%
National median76.8%

Tuition (in-state)

Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid

University of California-Santa Cruz$16,005
California median$23,000
National median$19,591

Median earnings (10 yr)

Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot

University of California-Santa Cruz's snapshot: calendar years and dollar basis unverified.

University of California-Santa Cruz$68,396
California median$64,778
National median$53,781
View comparison data & dates
University of California-Santa Cruz, California and national reference values
Metric & basisUniversity of California-Santa CruzCalifornia medianNational median
Acceptance rateFall 2024 admissions cycle · IPEDS65.8%74.4%76.8%
Tuition (in-state)Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot · published tuition before aid$16,005$23,000$19,591
Median earnings (10 yr)Ten years after entry · Scorecard 2026-06-10 snapshot$68,396$64,778$53,781

Published earnings by bachelor's field of study

For University of California-Santa Cruz, these are federal subject groups (CIP), not departments. Median is the middle annual income.

University of California-Santa Cruz federal-aid recipients · graduated 2017–18 or 2018–19 · income measured 2022 or 2023 · inflation-adjusted to 2024 dollars. Definitions and limits.

View 34 fields & earnings
Bachelor's field of study (CIP category)Median earnings, 4 yrs after completion
Computer Engineering$124,641
Computer Science$123,422
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$118,290
Biomedical/Medical Engineering$98,567
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management$94,589
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology$88,305
Business/Managerial Economics$82,064
Economics$76,382
Cognitive Science$72,125
Chemistry$71,348
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences$69,849
Neurobiology and Neurosciences$69,027
Design and Applied Arts$66,333
Non-Professional Legal Studies$66,244
Political Science and Government$65,890
Biology, General$65,036
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences$64,499
History$60,519
Psychology, General$59,948
Mathematics$59,214
Graphic Communications$58,163
Community Organization and Advocacy$56,620
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies$55,798
Sociology$55,338
Natural Resources Conservation and Research$55,240
Behavioral Sciences$54,606
Anthropology$52,315
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics$51,519
Philosophy$51,398
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology$49,821
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services$49,763
Film/Video and Photographic Arts$45,815
Fine and Studio Arts$40,156
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft$30,524

These 34 fields listed for University of California-Santa Cruz measure earnings after completion. The $68,396 institution-level snapshot above measures earnings after entry; it is not the same cohort or a total for these fields. 23 additional University of California-Santa Cruz fields have earnings withheld under federal privacy rules.

Frequently asked questions

What test-score data does University of California-Santa Cruz report?

University of California-Santa Cruz did not consider scores in Fall 2024: 65.8% admitted. Check current requirements.

What is University of California-Santa Cruz's acceptance rate?

65.8% in the Fall 2024 cycle — 47,186 admitted from 71,722 applicants.

How much does University of California-Santa Cruz cost?

In-state tuition is $16,005; out-of-state students pay $50,205. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.

What earnings data does University of California-Santa Cruz report?

Median earnings ten years after entry: $68,396. Major figures measure four years after completion. Source and date limits.

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Data: IPEDS ADM2024 (Fall 2024 admissions, provisional) · IPEDS HD2024/IC2024 directory · College Scorecard 2026-06-10 release (institution and field-of-study files; earnings from Treasury records). Retrieved 2026-09-01. Chart dates follow this institution's available observations; the release date is not an academic year or an earnings year. Some records end earlier than others. Field-of-study cohort dates are shown with the table. Read the date and population definitions.

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