UCSC vs. Fresno Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA with Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 2,879 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); Fresno Pacific University is in Fresno, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Fresno Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; Fresno Pacific University 10:1.

UCSC vs. Fresno Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University than UCSC ($15,261 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 48.8% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($10,210 vs. $19,948).
• Fresno Pacific University is 129.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $20,655 more per year; $36,660.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 36.9% higher at UCSC than at Fresno Pacific University (about $13,545 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $36,660.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than at University of California Santa Cruz (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 30% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($29,616 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Fresno Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 150 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (1110).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 20 at Fresno Pacific University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Fresno Pacific University 970/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Fresno Pacific University 17/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Fresno Pacific University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Fresno Pacific University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Fresno Pacific University (3.54).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than Fresno Pacific University (64.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 17.3% at Fresno Pacific University.

UCSC vs. Fresno Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Fresno Pacific University? 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 Fresno Pacific University's (50%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $6,800 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $43,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $1,541 lower median loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($19,959 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Fresno Pacific University graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 53%)

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.