University of California-Santa Cruz
Campus Identity
University of California-Santa Cruz is a large public university in Santa Cruz, CA. Approximately 17,940 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 66% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 2 miles from the ocean. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 43/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
Follow Along
@ucsc
Follow on Instagram
@ucsc
Follow on X (Twitter)
At a Glance
University of California-Santa Cruz is a large public university in Santa Cruz, CA. Approximately 17,940 students are enrolled. Admissions are accessible with a 66% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 2 miles from the ocean. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 43/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.
This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.
Campus Lifestyle
University of California-Santa Cruz is a 10,000–19,999, urban school with NCAA D3 athletics. The campus is 2 miles from Santa Cruz Beach, CA and 140 miles from DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc..
Athletics
NCAA D3
Coast-To-Coast Athletic
School Size & Setting
10,000–19,999
Urban setting
Beach Access
2 miles
Santa Cruz Beach, CA
Weather
Warm Climate
57°F avg school-year
Nearby Ski Resorts
University of California-Santa Cruz students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite, Inc., 140 miles away. All are within 142 miles of campus.
California
California
California
Beach Town
Students at University of California-Santa Cruz are 2 miles from Santa Cruz Beach, CA, putting the coast within easy reach any day of the week.
Santa Cruz Beach, CA
Ocean access within 2.1 miles
Average Monthly Temperature
1991–2020 Climate Normals · Santa Cruz, CA
Santa Cruz has a mild climate, with winters averaging 51°F in Dec and summers peaking around 65°F in Aug.
Station: SANTA CRUZ · Source: NOAA NCEI
On Campus Safety Score
2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students
University of California-Santa Cruz in CA earns a composite safety score of 43/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.
On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.
Cost Breakdown
2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.
| Cost Item | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $16,005 | $50,205 |
| Fees | $2,628 | $2,628 |
| Room & Board | $19,948 | $19,948 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $38,581 | $72,781 |
What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.
Fields of Study
135 programs offered
Most Popular Programs
Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is University of California-Santa Cruz located?
University of California-Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA. The main campus address is 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.
What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Santa Cruz?
University of California-Santa Cruz has an acceptance rate of 66%, making it moderately selective. Out of 71,722 applicants, 47,186 were admitted in the most recent year. 17,940 students enrolled.
How much does it cost to attend University of California-Santa Cruz?
For the 2024-25 academic year, University of California-Santa Cruz charges $16,005/year for in-state students and $50,205/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($19,948/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $43,824/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $17,890/year — what students actually pay. Use University of California-Santa Cruz's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.
What is the application fee for University of California-Santa Cruz?
The undergraduate application fee at University of California-Santa Cruz is $80. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.
Does University of California-Santa Cruz have college sports?
Yes — University of California-Santa Cruz competes at the NCAA D3 level in the Coast-To-Coast Athletic. Division III programs emphasize academic achievement alongside athletic competition, without athletic scholarships.
Is University of California-Santa Cruz the right fit for me?
Whether University of California-Santa Cruz is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (66% admit rate), avg net price ($17,890/year after aid), campus culture in Santa Cruz, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh University of California-Santa Cruz against similar schools side-by-side.
Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with University of California-Santa Cruz directly for the most current information.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Public
- Location
- Santa Cruz, CA
- Size
- 10,000–19,999
- Degrees Offered
- Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
- Land Grant
- Yes
- NCAA
- NCAA D3
- Conference
- Coast-To-Coast Athletic
- School Year Weather
- Warm · 57°F avg
- App Fee
- $80
- On Campus Safety Score
- 43/100
- Nearest Airport
- San Jose, CA (SJC) · 26 mialso NUQ (29 mi), MRY (31 mi)
Location
Santa Cruz, CA