University of California-Santa Cruz Tuition, Acceptance Rate and Admissions (2026)

Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Graduate degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026

In-State Tuition$16,005
Out-of-State Tuition$50,205
Acceptance Rate66%
Average SATNot published

University of California-Santa Cruz vs. State and National Averages

University of California-Santa CruzCA AverageNational Average
In-state tuition$16,005$16,639$18,082
vs. average—-4%-11%

Outcomes and student profile at University of California-Santa Cruz

Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$68,396
Graduation rate (within 150% of normal time)75%
Median debt among graduates who borrowed$16,666
Undergraduates receiving Pell grants32%
Undergraduates aged 25 and over4%
First-generation students37%

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. Earnings and debt figures cover students who received federal financial aid.

FAQ

What is the tuition at University of California-Santa Cruz?

In-state tuition at University of California-Santa Cruz is $16,005 and out-of-state tuition is $50,205, according to College Scorecard data.

What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Santa Cruz?

The acceptance rate at University of California-Santa Cruz is 66%.

How hard is it to get into University of California-Santa Cruz?

With an acceptance rate of 66%, University of California-Santa Cruz is moderately selective among U.S. colleges.

What SAT score do you need for University of California-Santa Cruz?

College Scorecard does not publish an average SAT score for University of California-Santa Cruz. Schools without a published figure are usually test-optional, open-admission, or they do not report test scores to the federal survey.

How big is University of California-Santa Cruz?

University of California-Santa Cruz enrolls about 17,940 undergraduate students. The student-faculty ratio is 22:1.

Is University of California-Santa Cruz expensive?

In-state tuition at University of California-Santa Cruz is $16,005, which is 4% below the CA average of $16,639.

How much do graduates of University of California-Santa Cruz earn?

Median earnings ten years after enrolling at University of California-Santa Cruz are $68,396 a year, according to College Scorecard.

How much debt do students at University of California-Santa Cruz take on?

The median debt among University of California-Santa Cruz graduates who borrowed is $16,666, according to College Scorecard.