UCSD vs. UCSC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 San Diego is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 19,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of California Santa Cruz is in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; University of California Santa Cruz 22:1.

UCSD vs. UCSC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than UCSC ($14,047 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 4.9% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($18,970 vs. $19,948).
• University of California San Diego is 4.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $753 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at UCSD than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $753 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of California Santa Cruz (59% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 13.1% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($25,757 vs. $22,774).

UCSD vs. UCSC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 120 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 29 at UCSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; UCSC - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 9.3% at UCSC.

UCSD vs. UCSC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of California Santa Cruz's (73%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $17,500 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $1,459 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($18,500 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $15 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($191 vs. $206).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.