UCSC vs. Soka University of America

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Soka University of America based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 495 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSC vs. Soka University of America Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Soka University of America? 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 Soka University of America than UCSC ($15,691 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Soka University of America are 27.9% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($14,378 vs. $19,948).
• Soka University of America is 142% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $22,723 more per year; $38,728.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.6% higher at UCSC than at Soka University of America (about $11,477 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $38,728.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Soka University of America than at University of California Santa Cruz (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Soka University of America students is 72.9% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($39,373 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Soka University of America Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Soka University of America? 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 Soka University of America and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Soka University of America (1420) is 160 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Soka University of America 1333/1510.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Soka University of America - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Soka University of America Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Soka University of America students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than Soka University of America (43.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 45.8% at Soka University of America.

UCSC vs. Soka University of America Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Soka University of America? 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).

• Soka University of America's six-year graduation rate (87%) is higher than University of California Santa Cruz's (73%).
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $2,329 lower median loan debt than Soka University of America graduates ($19,959 vs. $22,288).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Soka University of America graduates ($206 vs. $230).
• More Soka University of America graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.