University of California-Santa Cruz
PublicSanta Cruz, CA
University of California-Santa Cruz, in Santa Cruz, CA, is a public very large school, enrolling around 17,940 students. University of California-Santa Cruz is not highly selective, admitting a majority of applicants, with an acceptance rate near 66%. Engineering graduates, especially in Computer Engineering, report the strongest earnings here: a median of $124,641/year. Most students arrange their own housing since on-campus living isn't required.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
Where do you stand against University of California-Santa Cruz's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow University of California-Santa Cruz weighs your application
From University of California-Santa Cruz's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what University of California-Santa Cruz weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of California-Santa Cruz look for in applicants?
Per University of California-Santa Cruz's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates state residency, rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, application essay as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is University of California-Santa Cruz's acceptance rate?
University of California-Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA admits approximately 66% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
How much does University of California-Santa Cruz cost?
University of California-Santa Cruz's total cost of attendance is reported at $41,179 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
Does University of California-Santa Cruz require students to live on campus?
No -- University of California-Santa Cruz doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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