University of California, Santa Cruz admits 73% of applicants (fall 2025, Common Data Set 2025-26) and regular decision is due Nov 30, 2026.
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Can I get into University of California, Santa Cruz?
73% of applicants get in
Most applicants with solid grades get in.
Likely: even the low end of our estimate is 60% or more, and the college admits at least 25% of applicants. Target: our estimate is 30% or more. Reach: our estimate is under 30%, or the college admits under 15%. Long shot: our estimate is under 12%, or the college admits under 12%. Estimates use the college's admit rate and score range plus your grades and scores. They are not a promise.
66,374 applied, 48,274 admitted, fall 2025 (Common Data Set).
What does University of California, Santa Cruz cost?
$18,549 a year in-state
Out of state: about $56,151 a year
What in-state students who got federal aid paid on average after grants, 2024-25. The in-state sticker price, with housing and food, is $43,867.
Tap your family income:
Average paid after grants by family income
under $30,000
$9,973
$30,000–$48,000
$10,713
$48,000–$75,000
$13,446
$75,000–$110,000
$18,220
over $110,000
$35,350
Sticker, in-state
$43,867
In-state, with aid
$18,549
At your income
Out-of-state tuition is $54,187 a year, against $16,585 in state. The out-of-state figure adds that $37,602 to the in-state average. Out-of-state students usually get less aid, so many pay more.
undergrads. Big, with lots of choices and some big lectures.
City
Campus setting in Santa Cruz, CA.
88%
of first-years come back for year two.
61%
finish in four years. 74% within six.
$73.4k
median pay 10 years after starting.
$15k
median federal debt at graduation.
Questions people ask
What is University of California, Santa Cruz's acceptance rate?
73% for fall 2025: 48,274 of 66,374 applicants were admitted (Common Data Set).
How much does University of California, Santa Cruz cost for a family earning $60,000?
In-state families earning $48,000–$75,000 paid an average of $13,446 a year after grants in 2024-25 (students who got federal aid). The sticker price is $43,867.
How much does University of California, Santa Cruz cost for out-of-state students?
Out-of-state tuition at University of California, Santa Cruz is $54,187 a year, against $16,585 for in-state students in 2025-26. In-state students who got federal aid paid $18,549 on average after grants in 2024-25. Adding the $37,602 tuition gap gives about $56,151 a year from out of state. Out-of-state students usually get less aid, so many pay more.
When is the University of California, Santa Cruz application deadline for fall 2027?
Regular decision is due Nov 30, 2026. Checked on admissions.ucsc.edu on Nov 8, 2026.
What is University of California, Santa Cruz's graduation rate?
74% of students finish within six years and 61% within four (IPEDS).
