University of California Santa Cruz campus

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UCSC Admission Requirements

  • 7/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Santa Cruz, CA
  • 4.3 6 reviews
#8 Best Public Universities in California
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UCSC Admission Overview

UCSC admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year UCSC admitted 65.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.63 GPA (A-). UCSC is test-free. SAT and ACT are not used for admission. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UCSC Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

65.8%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for University of California Santa Cruz

Acceptance Rate

The UCSC acceptance rate is 65.8%. Last year, 47,186 of 71,722 applicants were admitted. That is the 45th lowest acceptance rate in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UCSC and can you get accepted?

UCSC is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

University of California Santa Cruz typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.63. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 9% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UCSC GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.63

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.63

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at UCSC typically have around a 3.63 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have very good grades in high school. UCSC is test-free, so GPA is the main academic number in the file.

The school ranks #35 in California for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled University of California Santa Cruz freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 6.3% Good
3.75 to 3.99 27.9% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 40.3% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 20.8% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 4.2% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.5% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

UCSC Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

UC Santa Cruz does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarships for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 cycle. You may report SAT or ACT scores only after you submit the UC application. Those scores may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum eligibility requirements or for course placement after you enroll.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/filling-out-the-application.html

UCSC SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1160-1360

Freshmen who sent SAT

85%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 580
  • Math 580
  • Composite 1160
SAT 25th percentile scores for University of California Santa Cruz

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 670
  • Math 690
  • Composite 1360
SAT 75th percentile scores for University of California Santa Cruz

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at UCSC typically score around a 1260 SAT (middle 50% 1160–1360) out of 1600. These figures are from the last year SAT scores were reported, not a cutoff. SAT is not used for admission, even if you send it. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 83rd percentile nationally. UCSC ranks #29 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1160 to 1360

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

View other colleges which accept students in the 1260 SAT score range.

SAT scores are from the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used for admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

UCSC ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

25-33

Freshmen reporting ACT

40%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 23
  • Math 23
  • Composite 25
ACT 25th percentile scores for University of California Santa Cruz

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 31
  • Math 29
  • Composite 33
ACT 75th percentile scores for University of California Santa Cruz

Average ACT

Incoming testers at UCSC typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 25–33) on the 36 scale. These numbers come from the last year ACT scores were reported, not a minimum for admission. ACT is not considered, even if you submit it. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. UCSC places #21 among colleges in California and #166 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 25 to 33

1 9 18 27 36

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 ACT score range.

ACT figures reflect the last year they were reported to IPEDS. They are not used in admission.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Estimate How You Compare

Compare your GPA with last year's enrolled class and this school's acceptance rate. SAT and ACT are not used.

Open the UCSC chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.

University of California Santa Cruz admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 39,957 31,765 71,722
Accepted 27,283 19,903 47,186
Acceptance Rate 68% 63% 66%
Enrolled 2,404 1,979 4,383
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 9% 10% 9%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California Santa Cruz and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California Santa Cruz application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2026 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2026

Days left to Apply

91

Applicants have 91 days left until the Fall 2026 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2026.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Santa Cruz is $80.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at University of California Santa Cruz
Credit Type Accepted
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

UCSC is test-free for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 65.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.63 GPA (about an A- average). Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to University of California Santa Cruz often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110714.

GPA calculator: University of California Santa Cruz GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026