U of A vs. UCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ 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 Arizona is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 19,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of California Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; University of California Santa Cruz 22:1.

U of A vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A 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 U of A ($18,059 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arizona are 16.1% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($16,746 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 14.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of A (about $2,079 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $13,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at UCSC than at University of Arizona (about $7,927 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $42,278.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of California Santa Cruz (95% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 65.3% larger than aid received by University of Arizona students ($22,774 vs. $13,776).

U of A vs. UCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A 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 U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Arizona (1290) is 30 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; UCSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 9.3% at UCSC.

U of A vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A 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 University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Arizona earn a median of about $3,600 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,000 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Arizona graduates have a $959 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($19,000 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, U of A graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($196 vs. $206).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A 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.