UCSC vs. Michigan Tech

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Michigan Tech based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 7,403 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); Michigan Technological University is in Houghton, MI (Remote Town setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Michigan Technological University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; Michigan Technological University 13:1.

UCSC vs. Michigan Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University than UCSC ($16,879 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Michigan Technological University are 34.6% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($13,050 vs. $19,948).
• Michigan Technological University is 19.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $3,118 more per year; $19,123.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at UCSC than at Michigan Technological University (about $7,217 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $42,988.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Michigan Technological University than at University of California Santa Cruz (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 14.5% larger than aid received by Michigan Technological University students ($22,774 vs. $19,898).

UCSC vs. Michigan Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Tech and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 20 points higher than at Michigan Tech (1240).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Michigan Tech).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Michigan Technological University 1130/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Michigan Technological University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Michigan Tech - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Michigan Tech students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.78) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• Michigan Tech has a higher acceptance rate (92.4%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 12.9% at Michigan Tech.

UCSC vs. Michigan Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Michigan Tech? 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 Michigan Technological University's (65%).
• Graduates from Michigan Technological University earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($66,000 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $6,941 lower median loan debt than Michigan Tech graduates ($19,959 vs. $26,900).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $72 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Michigan Tech graduates ($206 vs. $278).
• More Michigan Tech 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.