University of California-Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California 95064-1011
Campus Vibe
Strong graduate outcomes — known for computer science
University of California-Santa Cruz is a public institution in Santa Cruz with particular strength in computer science and biology.
A large campus of 17.8K undergraduates with a 22:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
74% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $68,396 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $16,607.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
University of California-Santa Cruz Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
70.6%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$14,334
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
137
Peer Average
92
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (134)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
90%
- •90% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •The Cowell Lime Works operated on the entirety of what is now the Santa Cruz campus until 1920.
- •In December 1959, the Regents voted to focus their site selection process on the Almaden Valley in San Jose (i.
- •The formal design process for the Santa Cruz campus began in the late 1950s, culminating in the Long Range Development Plan of 1963.
- •1963 was also the year when the Regional History Project, an oral history project and the first major research project of UCSC, was started.
- •The first plan was to build the campus on what is now the Great Meadow, so it would be close to the existing city of Santa Cruz.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average
Climate (School Year)
Nearest Cities
Transit Scores
Local Economy
Getting There
Nearest Airports
Distance to Cities
Visit Planning
Suggested Itinerary
Nearby Hotels
Airport Transit
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