University of California Santa Cruz campus

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UCSC Demographics & Diversity

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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 73%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at UCSC are predominantly White with a significant Hispanic population. The school has very high racial diversity. 67% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

University of California Santa Cruz has been designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and is eligible for federal grants supporting the school's efforts to serve Hispanic Americans.

Racial demographics of University of California Santa Cruz students
Race Percent of Students
White
33%
Black
2%
Hispanic
31%
Asian
21%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
7%
International
4%
Race Unknown
2%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 9% more female students than male students enrolled at University of California Santa Cruz with a gender ratio of 52% women to 48% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, UCSC has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for University of California Santa Cruz students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
48%
Women
52%
Enrollment by gender for University of California Santa Cruz students
Gender Number of Students
Men
9,544
Women
10,394

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Extremely Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 8%

UCSC draws 92 percent of students from California, 5 percent from other states, and 3 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside California, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for University of California Santa Cruz students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
92%
Out of State
5%
Foreign
3%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$78,075 per year

28% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

19,938
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 4.5%
Part-time undergraduates 2.5%

Other Colleges to Consider

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

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

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026