Azusa Pacific University vs. UCSC

Should I go to Azusa Pacific University or University of California Santa Cruz? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Azusa Pacific University or UCSC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Azusa Pacific University vs. University of California Santa Cruz comparison
Azusa Pacific University University of California Santa Cruz College 3 College 4
University of California Santa Cruz
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Overview

Azusa Pacific University UCSC
Location Azusa, CA Santa Cruz, CA
Setting Large Suburban Small City
Enrollment 7,169 19,478
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #268 #222
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apu.edu ucsc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Azusa Pacific University UCSC
Tuition (In State) $41,650 $11,564
Tuition (Out of State) $41,650 $41,636
Room & Board $9,222 $18,185
Avg Net Price $26,666 $17,975
Avg Grant Aid $27,474 $21,202
% Receiving Grant Aid 99% 68%

Admission

Azusa Pacific University UCSC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,438 65,912
Admitted 2,991 30,926
Acceptance Rate 87% 46.9%
Enrolled % 17.3% 12.5%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.63
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Average Very High
Applicant Competition Low
ACT Range 21/28 25/33
SAT Range 980/1240 1160/1360
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2025 Nov 30, 2024

Academics

Azusa Pacific University UCSC
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 23:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Business (9%)

Outcomes

Azusa Pacific University UCSC
Graduation Rate 63% 73%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,200 $50,400
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 74%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $19,959
Median Loan Payment $232 $206

Diversity

Azusa Pacific University UCSC
% Men 28% 50%
% Women 72% 50%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 44% 33%
% Black 5% 2%
% Hispanic 29% 31%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 7%
% International 2% 4%
% Unknown Race 2% 2%

Students

Azusa Pacific University UCSC
% In-State 77% 90%
% Out-of-State 15% 7%

Campus

Azusa Pacific University UCSC
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of California Santa Cruz is larger than than Azusa Pacific University based on total student enrollment (19,478 students vs. 7,169 students)

Azusa Pacific University vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Azusa Pacific University or UCSC?

  • Azusa Pacific University is 260.2% more expensive to attend than UCSC for in-state tuition ($41,650.00 vs. $11,564.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 0% higher at Azusa Pacific University than University of California Santa Cruz ($41,650.00 vs. $41,636.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California Santa Cruz than Azusa Pacific University ($17,975 vs. $26,666)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Azusa Pacific University are 97.2% lower than costs at University of California Santa Cruz ($9,222 vs. $18,185)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Azusa Pacific University than University of California Santa Cruz (99% vs. 68%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Azusa Pacific University students is 29.6% larger than aid received University of California Santa Cruz ($27,474 vs. $21,202)

Azusa Pacific University vs. UCSC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Azusa Pacific University or UCSC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between UCSC or Azusa Pacific University .

  • The average SAT score at University of California Santa Cruz (1201) is 121 points higher than at Azusa Pacific University (1080)
  • Incoming UCSC students have a 4 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Azusa Pacific University (24)
  • Accepted 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 (87%) than UCSC (46.9%)

Azusa Pacific University vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Azusa Pacific University or UCSC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between UCSC and Azusa Pacific University.

  • The graduation rate at UCSC is higher than Azusa Pacific University (73% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Azusa Pacific University earn on average $3,800 more per year than UCSC graduates after ten years. ($54,200 vs. $50,400)
  • University of California Santa Cruz students graduate with a $2,541 lower median federal student loan debt than Azusa Pacific University graduates. ($19,959 vs. $22,500)
  • UCSC graduates are paying $26 less per month on federal student loans 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/