UCSC vs. Northeastern University Oakland

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); Northeastern University Oakland is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; Northeastern University Oakland 7:1.

UCSC vs. Northeastern University Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland ($18,059 vs. $27,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University Oakland are 1.8% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($19,580 vs. $19,948).
• Northeastern University Oakland is 323.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $51,773 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $17,573 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California Santa Cruz (67% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students is 154.4% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($57,948 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Northeastern University Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University Oakland (1470) is 210 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming Northeastern University Oakland students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 29 at UCSC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Northeastern University Oakland 1420/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Northeastern University Oakland 32/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Northeastern University Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than Northeastern University Oakland (16.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland.

UCSC vs. Northeastern University Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland's (57%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $6,000 more per year than Northeastern University Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $3,541 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($19,959 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($206 vs. $242).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern University Oakland students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 66%)

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.