UCLA vs. UCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, 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 Los Angeles is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 19,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); University of California Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting).
• University of California Los Angeles 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 California Los Angeles 20:1; University of California Santa Cruz 22:1.

UCLA vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA 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 Los Angeles than UCSC ($14,512 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 7.9% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($18,369 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 5.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $802 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.6% higher at UCSC than at University of California Los Angeles (about $802 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Cruz than at University of California Los Angeles (57% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Los Angeles students is 12.5% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($25,627 vs. $22,774).

UCLA vs. UCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA 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 UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 160 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCLA students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at UCSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Test-free; UCSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026; UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.29 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 9.3% at UCSC.

UCLA vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA 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 Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of California Santa Cruz's (73%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $20,300 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $3,659 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($16,300 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($168 vs. $206).
• More UCLA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.