Azusa Pacific University vs. UCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, CA with University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Azusa Pacific University based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 6,272 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Azusa Pacific University is located in Azusa, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting).
• Azusa Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Azusa Pacific University 9:1; University of California Santa Cruz 22:1.

Azusa Pacific University vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Azusa Pacific University or UCSC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Santa Cruz than Azusa Pacific University ($18,059 vs. $26,143).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Azusa Pacific University are 46.3% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($10,704 vs. $19,948).
• Azusa Pacific University is 177.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $28,453 more per year; $44,458.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12.9% higher at UCSC than at Azusa Pacific University (about $5,747 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $44,458.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Azusa Pacific University than at University of California Santa Cruz (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Azusa Pacific University students is 33.9% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($30,504 vs. $22,774).

Azusa Pacific University vs. UCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Azusa Pacific University or UCSC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCSC and Azusa Pacific University.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 150 points higher than at Azusa Pacific University (1110).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 27 at Azusa Pacific University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Azusa Pacific University 983/1238; University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Azusa Pacific University 25/30; University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Azusa Pacific University - Test optional; UCSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Azusa Pacific University Jun 1, 2027; UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman Azusa Pacific University students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.74) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• Azusa Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (88.4%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.7% at Azusa Pacific University vs. 9.3% at UCSC.

Azusa Pacific University vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Azusa Pacific University and UCSC? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Azusa Pacific University's (63%).
• Graduates from Azusa Pacific University earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,200 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $2,541 lower median loan debt than Azusa Pacific University graduates ($19,959 vs. $22,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Azusa Pacific University graduates ($206 vs. $232).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Azusa Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.