CAMPUS · SANTA CRUZ, CA · PUBLIC

UC Santa Cruz

University of California-Santa Cruz

62.5%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

FIT

SAFETY

UC Santa Cruz is a safety for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

62.5%

of 68,845 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$68,396

across all majors

UC Santa Cruz at a Glance

21,109

Total Enrollment

$16,666

Median Debt

32.0%

Pell Grant Rate

UC Santa Cruz Overview

University of California-Santa Cruz is a public university in Santa Cruz, CA with 21,109 students. With a 62.5% acceptance rate, most students who meet the requirements are admitted. The most popular majors are Computer Science, Biological Sciences, and Social Sciences.

Full Name	University of California-Santa Cruz
Location	Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1011
Type	Public
Website	ucsc.edu/
Total Enrollment	21,109
Undergrad Enrollment	18,997
Female Students	49.7%

Is UC Santa Cruz a Reach, Match, or Safety?

UC Santa Cruz accepts 62.5% of applicants, making it accessible for most qualified students. If you meet the basic academic requirements, this is likely a Safety school for you.

Your Profile	UC Santa Cruz Is...	What to Do
Meet academic requirements	Safety	Strong odds — apply with confidence
Slightly below average	Match	Apply — still realistic

Popular Majors at UC Santa Cruz

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Computer Science

15.4%

Biological Sciences

14.7%

Social Sciences

12.7%

Psychology

10.3%

Visual/Performing Arts

9.5%

Best Majors at UC Santa Cruz →

Student Demographics

White

31.6%

Black/African American

2.0%

Hispanic/Latino

28.3%

Asian

23.0%

International

4.7%

How to Get Into UC Santa Cruz

UCSC is a Safety school for most students who meet the basic requirements. Don't let the higher acceptance rate fool you — UCSC still offers strong programs and outcomes.

62.5%

Acceptance Rate

68,845

Total Applicants

What UC Santa Cruz Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Not Considered
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Important
Character Personal Qualities	Very Important
First Generation	Important
Alumni Relation	Not Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

UC Santa Cruz Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the UC Santa Cruz UC admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Regular Decision	Nov 30
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)	Mar 2

UC System: All University of California campuses share the same application deadline. Submit one UC Application for all UC schools.

Frequently Asked Questions About UC Santa Cruz

What is UCSC's acceptance rate?

UCSC has an acceptance rate of 62.5%, making it accessible to most qualified applicants. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What are the most popular majors at UCSC?

The most popular majors at UCSC by degrees awarded are: Computer Science (15.4%), Biological Sciences (14.7%), Social Sciences (12.7%), Psychology (10.3%), Visual/Performing Arts (9.5%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.