UCSC vs. Loyola Marymount

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Loyola Marymount based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 10,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSC vs. Loyola Marymount Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount ($18,059 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Cruz are 9.4% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($19,948 vs. $22,026).
• Loyola Marymount University is 289.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $46,352 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.2% higher at Loyola Marymount than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $12,152 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at University of California Santa Cruz (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola Marymount University students is 6.8% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($24,318 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Loyola Marymount Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola Marymount University (1350) is 90 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming Loyola Marymount students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at UCSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Loyola Marymount University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Loyola Marymount - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount (45.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 14.8% at Loyola Marymount.

UCSC vs. Loyola Marymount Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Loyola Marymount? 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).

• Loyola Marymount University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of California Santa Cruz's (73%).
• Graduates from Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $15,300 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,700 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $1,709 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($19,959 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $18 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($206 vs. $224).
• More Loyola Marymount graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.