UCSC vs. Scripps College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Scripps College based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 1,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSC vs. Scripps College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Scripps College? 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 Scripps College ($18,059 vs. $44,396).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Cruz are 9.9% lower than at Scripps College ($19,948 vs. $22,136).
• Scripps College is 312.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $49,945 more per year; $65,950.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.4% higher at Scripps College than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $15,745 more per year; $65,950.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Cruz than at Scripps College (57% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Scripps College students is 89.5% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($43,168 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Scripps College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Scripps College? 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 Scripps College and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Scripps College (1490) is 230 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming Scripps College 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; Scripps College 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Scripps College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Scripps College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Scripps College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Scripps College students have a 0.37 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than Scripps College (38.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 25.6% at Scripps College.

UCSC vs. Scripps College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Scripps College? 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).

• Scripps College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of California Santa Cruz's (73%).
• Graduates from Scripps College earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,300 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Scripps College graduates have a $5,959 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($14,000 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, Scripps College graduates have an estimated $62 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($144 vs. $206).
• More Scripps College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.