Biola University vs. UCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare Biola University in La Mirada, 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 Biola University based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 5,434 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Biola University is located in La Mirada, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of California Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting).
• Biola 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: Biola University 15:1; University of California Santa Cruz 22:1.

Biola University vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Biola 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 Biola University ($18,059 vs. $34,082).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Biola University are 34.2% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($13,130 vs. $19,948).
• Biola University is 206.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $32,979 more per year; $48,984.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.5% higher at UCSC than at Biola University (about $1,221 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $48,984.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Biola University than at University of California Santa Cruz (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Biola University students is 26.5% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($28,817 vs. $22,774).

Biola University vs. UCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Biola University or UCSC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCSC and Biola University.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Biola University (1270) is 10 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 26 at Biola University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 1160/1370; University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Biola University 24/29; University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Biola University - Test optional; UCSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Biola University (3.61).
• Biola University has a higher acceptance rate (74.3%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 29.7% at Biola University vs. 9.3% at UCSC.

Biola University vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Biola University and UCSC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Biola University's (71%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $1,500 more per year than Biola University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $48,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $4,541 lower median loan debt than Biola University graduates ($19,959 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Biola University graduates ($206 vs. $253).
• More Biola University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (75% vs. 74%)

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.