UCSC vs. Simpson University

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Simpson University based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 992 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); Simpson University is in Redding, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Simpson University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; Simpson University 17:1.

UCSC vs. Simpson University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Simpson University? 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 Simpson University ($18,059 vs. $28,653).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Simpson University are 40.3% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($11,900 vs. $19,948).
• Simpson University is 148.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $23,703 more per year; $39,708.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.4% higher at UCSC than at Simpson University (about $10,497 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $39,708.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Simpson University than at University of California Santa Cruz (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Simpson University students is 13.9% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($25,937 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Simpson University Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 190 points higher than at Simpson University (1070).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 24 at Simpson University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Simpson University 960/1185.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Simpson University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Simpson University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Simpson University Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Simpson University (3.4).
• Simpson University has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 24.2% at Simpson University.

UCSC vs. Simpson University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Simpson University? 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 Simpson University's (43%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $12,200 more per year than Simpson University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $38,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Simpson University graduates have a $3,291 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($16,668 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, Simpson University graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($172 vs. $206).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Simpson University students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 67%)

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.