UCSC vs. Truman State

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Truman State based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 3,664 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); Truman State University is in Kirksville, MO (Remote Town setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Truman State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; Truman State University 12:1.

UCSC vs. Truman State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Truman State? 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 Truman State University than UCSC ($13,602 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Truman State University are 44.2% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($11,128 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 62.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Truman State (about $6,167 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $9,838.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 170.4% higher at UCSC than at Truman State University (about $31,639 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $18,566.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Truman State University than at University of California Santa Cruz (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 86.9% larger than aid received by Truman State University students ($22,774 vs. $12,186).

UCSC vs. Truman State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Truman State? 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 Truman State and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Truman State University (1270) is 10 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Truman State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Truman State University 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Truman State University 25/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Truman State - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Truman State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.81) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• Truman State has a higher acceptance rate (83.8%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 25.9% at Truman State.

UCSC vs. Truman State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Truman State? 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 Truman State University's (69%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $600 more per year than Truman State graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $49,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $2,697 lower median loan debt than Truman State graduates ($19,959 vs. $22,656).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Truman State graduates ($206 vs. $234).
• More Truman State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.