UCSC vs. Fresno Pacific University

Should I go to University of California Santa Cruz or Fresno Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UCSC or Fresno Pacific University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

Add a college to compare up to four schools

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

UC Riverside UCSB UC Davis Cal Poly San Jose State UC Merced San Diego State UCI UCSD SCU Cal State Long Beach USF
University of California Santa Cruz vs. Fresno Pacific University comparison
University of California Santa Cruz Fresno Pacific University College 3 College 4
University of California Santa Cruz Fresno Pacific University
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

UCSC Fresno Pacific University
Location Santa Cruz, CA Fresno, CA
Setting Small City Large City
Enrollment 19,764 2,921
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #251 #494
Religious Affiliation - Mennonite Brethren Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucsc.edu fresno.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UCSC Fresno Pacific University
Tuition (In State) $11,834 $34,960
Tuition (Out of State) $42,611 $34,960
Room & Board $18,785 $10,148
Avg Net Price $16,526 $15,668
Avg Grant Aid $21,564 $27,472
% Receiving Grant Aid 65% 99%

Admission

UCSC Fresno Pacific University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 68,845 1,516
Admitted 43,054 872
Acceptance Rate 62.5% 57.5%
Enrolled % 10.2% 23.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.63 3.54
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Very High Moderate
Applicant Competition Low Low
ACT Range 25/33 17/24
SAT Range 1160/1360 970/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2025 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

UCSC Fresno Pacific University
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Social Sciences (17%)
  • Biology (14%)
  • Psychology (11%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
  • Business (9%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (28%)
  • Work and Family Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

UCSC Fresno Pacific University
Graduation Rate 73% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $50,400 $43,600
Making Student Loan Payments 74% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $19,959 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $206 $222

Diversity

UCSC Fresno Pacific University
% Men 5% 10%
% Women 5% 35%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 33% 35%
% Black 2% 5%
% Hispanic 31% 43%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 7% 2%
% International 4% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

UCSC Fresno Pacific University
% In-State 91% 88%
% Out-of-State 7% 5%

Campus

UCSC Fresno Pacific University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of California Santa Cruz is larger than than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (19,764 students vs. 2,921 students)

UCSC vs. Fresno Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Fresno Pacific University?

  • Fresno Pacific University is 195.4% more expensive to attend than UCSC for in-state tuition ($34,960.00 vs. $11,834.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.9% higher at UCSC than Fresno Pacific University ($42,611.00 vs. $34,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Fresno Pacific University than UCSC ($15,668 vs. $16,526)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 85.1% lower than costs at University of California Santa Cruz ($10,148 vs. $18,785)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than University of California Santa Cruz (99% vs. 65%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 27.4% larger than aid received University of California Santa Cruz ($27,472 vs. $21,564)

UCSC vs. Fresno Pacific University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Fresno Pacific University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Fresno Pacific University or UCSC .

  • The average SAT score at University of California Santa Cruz (1201) is 213 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (988)
  • Incoming UCSC students have a 6 point higher average ACT score (28) than students at Fresno Pacific University (22)
  • 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 (62.5%) than Fresno Pacific University (57.5%)

UCSC vs. Fresno Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UCSC or Fresno Pacific University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Fresno Pacific University and UCSC.

  • The graduation rate at UCSC is higher than Fresno Pacific University (73% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn on average $6,800 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates after ten years. ($50,400 vs. $43,600)
  • University of California Santa Cruz students graduate with a $1,541 lower median federal student loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates. ($19,959 vs. $21,500)
  • UCSC graduates are paying $16 less per month on federal student loans 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/