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

University of California-Santa Cruz admits roughly 66% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.

What does University of California-Santa Cruz actually cost after financial aid?

Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $17,890 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.

Is University of California-Santa Cruz a reach, match, or safety for me?

Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat University of California-Santa Cruz as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · West

Acceptance rate: 65.8%
Cost after aid: $17,890
Graduation rate: 75%

What University of California-Santa Cruz says matters

How University of California-Santa Cruz rates each admissions factor in its Common Data Set, with the full published numbers below.

Acceptance rate: 65%; 45,631 of 69,796
Yield: 9.6%; 4,367 enrolled
CDS year: 2024-25

Acceptance rate by gender

Men: 62%18,580 of 30,026
Women: 68%25,996 of 38,127

Very important

Rigor of secondary school record
Class rank
Academic GPA
Standardized test scores
Application essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular activities
Talent or ability
Character or personal qualities
First generation
Alumni relation
Geographical residence
State residency
Religious affiliation or commitment
Volunteer work
Work experience
Level of applicant's interest

The full Common Data Set

Every figure University of California-Santa Cruz published for 2024-25, section by section.

First-Time, First-Year Admission58

Applications

Total first-time, first-year men who applied: 30,026
Total first-time, first-year women who applied: 38,127
Total first-time, first-year another gender who applied: 1,643
Total first-time, first-year men who were admitted: 18,580
Total first-time, first-year women who were admitted: 25,996
Total first-time, first-year another gender who were admitted: 1,055
Total full-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled: 1,888
Total part-time, first-time, first-year men who enrolled: 7
Total full-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled: 2,313
Total part-time, first-time, first-year women who enrolled: 5
Total full-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled: 153
Total part-time, first-time, first-year another gender who enrolled: 1

Wait List

Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list:: 15,397
Number accepting a place on the waiting list:: 10,111
Number of wait-listed students admitted:: 3,339

Admissions Requirements

Total academic units: 15
English: 4
Mathematics: 3
Science: 2
Of these, units that must be lab: 2
Foreign language: 2
Social studies: 1
History: 1
Academic electives: 1
Computer Science: 1
Total academic units: 18
English: 4
Mathematics: 4
Science: 3
Of these, units that must be lab: 3
Foreign language: 3
Social studies: 1
History: 1
Academic electives: 1
Computer Science: 1

Basis for Selection

Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important
Class rank: Very Important
Academic GPA: Very Important
Standardized test scores: Very Important
Application Essay: Very Important
Recommendation(s): Very Important
Extracurricular activities: Very Important
Talent/ability: Very Important
Character/personal qualities: Very Important
First generation: Very Important
Alumni/ae relation: Very Important
Geographical residence: Very Important
State residency: Very Important
Religious affiliation/commitment: Very Important
Volunteer work: Very Important
Work experience: Very Important
Level of applicant’s interest: Very Important

First-time, first-year Profile

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 200-299: 0
SAT Math: 200-299: 0
ACT Composite: Below 6: 100
Percent of total first-time, first-year students who submitted high school GPA:: 99%

Admission Policies

Can it be waived for applicants with financial need?: Yes
If yes, maximum period of postponement:: -

Transfer Admission24

Fall Applicants

Men: 5,953
Women: 5,479
Another Gender: 496
Unknown: 12,123
Total: 3,848
Men: 3,504
Women: 323
Another Gender: 7,807
Unknown: 645
Total: 506
Men: 104
Women: 1,274

Application for Admission

High school transcript: Required of All
College transcript(s): Required of All
Essay or personal statement: Required of All
Interview: Required of All
Standardized test scores: Required of All
Statement of good standing from prior institution(s): Required of All
Fall: 11
Winter: 30

Transfer Credit Policies

American Council on Education (ACE): No
College Level Examination Program (CLEP): No
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST): No
If yes, please provide the URL where the policy can be located:: https://veterans.universityofcalifornia.edu/prepare-for-uc/how-to-apply.html

Academic Offerings and Policies17

Special Study Options

Distance learning: X
Double major: X
Exchange student program (domestic): X
Honors Program: X
Independent study: X
Internships: X
Student-designed major: X
Study abroad: X
Teacher certification program: X
Undergraduate Research: X

Required Course Work

Arts/fine arts: X
English (including composition): X
History: X
Humanities: X
Mathematics: X
Sciences (biological or physical): X
Social science: X

Student Life32

Percent Participating

Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator): 5.5%
Percent of men who join fraternities: 2.6%
Percent of women who join sororities: 3.6%
Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing: 98%
Percent who live off campus or commute: 1.8%
Percent of students age 25 and older: 0
Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresidents from the numerator and denominator): 4.7%
Percent of men who join fraternities: 4.7%
Percent of women who join sororities: 5.8%
Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing: 49%
Percent who live off campus or commute: 52%
Percent of students age 25 and older: 3.3%

Average Age

Average age of full-time students: 18.5
Average age of all students (full- and part-time): 18.5
Average age of full-time students: 20.4
Average age of all students (full- and part-time): 20.5

Activities Offered

Campus Ministries: X
Choral groups: X
Dance: X
Drama/theater: X
International Student Organization: X
Jazz band: X
Literary magazine: X
Model UN: X
Music ensembles: X
Opera: X
Radio station: X
Student government: X
Student newspaper: X
Student-run film society: X
Symphony orchestra: X
Television station: X

Annual Expenses4

Information

Please provide the URL of your institution’s net price calculator:: https://app.meadowfi.com/ucsc

Estimated Expenses

Books and supplies:: 1
Books and supplies:: 1
Food and housing total*: 1

Financial Aid5

Need-based Aid Awarded

Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college: 0
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.): 0

Non-need-based Aid Awarded

Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college: 0
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.): 0

Institutional Aid

If your institution has recently implemented any major financial aid policy, program, or initiative to make your institution more affordable to incoming students such as replacing loans with grants, or waiving costs for families below a certain income level please provide details:: &RPPRQ'DWD6HW 4 5

Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Conferred21

Diploma/Certificates

TOTAL (should = 100%): 0

Associate

TOTAL (should = 100%): 0

Bachelors

Agriculture: 1
Natural resources and conservation: 3
Area, ethnic, and gender studies: 2
Communication technologies: 3
Computer and information sciences: 16
Education: 2
Engineering: 4
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics: 4
Law/legal studies: 2
Biological/life sciences: 14
Mathematics and statistics: 2
Philosophy and religious studies: 1
Physical sciences: 5
Public administration and social services: 1
Social sciences: 10
Visual and performing arts: 7
Business/marketing: 7
History: 2
TOTAL (should = 100%): 100%

Enrollment And Persistence96

Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category

Nonresidents: 208
Hispanic/Latino: 1,284
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 91
White, non-Hispanic: 1,250
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 9
Asian, non-Hispanic: 1,032
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 5
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 412
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 92
TOTAL: 4,383
Nonresidents: 544
Hispanic/Latino: 5,136
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 370
White, non-Hispanic: 5,482
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 28
Asian, non-Hispanic: 4,362
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 22
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 1,589
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 407
TOTAL: 17,940
Nonresidents: 544
Hispanic/Latino: 5,136
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 370
White, non-Hispanic: 5,482
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 28
Asian, non-Hispanic: 4,362
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 22
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 1,589
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 407
TOTAL: 17,940

Persistence

Master's degrees: 407

Graduation Rates

Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 1,045
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 460
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 2,177
Total: 3,682
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 0
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1
Total: 1
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 1,045
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 460
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 2,176
Total: 3,681
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 605
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 269
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,389
Total: 2,263
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 118
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 56
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 251
Total: 425
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 22
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 13
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 41
Total: 76
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 745
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 338
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,681
Total: 2,764
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 71
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 73
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 77
Total: 75
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 1,229
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 592
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 2,218
Total: 4,039
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 3
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 0
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 4
Total: 7
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 1,226
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 592
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 2,214
Total: 4,032
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 700
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 368
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,386
Total: 2,454
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 143
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 63
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 261
Total: 467
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 20
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 14
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 47
Total: 81
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 863
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 445
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 1,694
Total: 3,002
Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant: 70
Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant: 75
Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan: 77
Total: 74
2021 Cohort: 150

Instructional Faculty And Class Size32

Instructional Faculty

A. Total number of instructional faculty: 837
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 264
C. Total number who are women: 406
D. Total number who are men: 431
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 62
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 820
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 17
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 170
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 33
C. Total number who are women: 87
D. Total number who are men: 83
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 2
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 167
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 3
A. Total number of instructional faculty: 1,007
B. Total number who are members of minority groups: 297
C. Total number who are women: 493
D. Total number who are men: 514
E. Total number who are nonresidents (international): 64
F. Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree: 987
I. Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.): 20

Student to Faculty Ratio

Fall 2024 Student to Faculty ratio: 22
based on ____ students: 19,544
and ____ faculty: 899

Undergraduate Class Size

2-9: 93
10-19: 93
20-29: 202
30-39: 374
40-49: 93
50-99: 48
100+: 125
Total: 169

Source: University of California-Santa Cruz's Common Data Set 2024-25

About University of California-Santa Cruz

University of California-Santa Cruz is a mid-sized public university in Santa Cruz, CA, in a city setting.

What University of California-Santa Cruz looks for

University of California-Santa Cruz admits the majority of applicants who meet its baseline academic profile. For most students applying here, the work is in writing applications that reflect real fit rather than treating the application as a checklist. Demonstrated interest matters more here than at the most selective schools. Visiting, attending an info session, and asking real questions of admissions all move the needle.

Frequently asked

What is the acceptance rate at University of California-Santa Cruz?
University of California-Santa Cruz admits roughly 66% of applicants. An acceptance rate above 40% means a strong application can land here without high-end stats.
What does University of California-Santa Cruz actually cost after financial aid?
Average net cost (after institutional aid) is about $17,890 per year. Net cost varies enormously by family income; run the school's net price calculator for an estimate that reflects your situation.
Is University of California-Santa Cruz a reach, match, or safety for me?
Compare your stats to the middle 50% above. If you are at or below the 25th percentile, treat University of California-Santa Cruz as a reach. If you are in the middle 50%, it is a match. Above the 75th percentile and the school accepts above 25% overall, it is closer to a safety. Selectivity below 20% should be treated as a reach for everyone, period.

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