UCSC vs. La Verne

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than La Verne based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 5,021 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSC vs. La Verne Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or La Verne? 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 La Verne ($18,059 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of La Verne are 20.6% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($15,830 vs. $19,948).
• University of La Verne is 209.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $33,465 more per year; $49,470.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at UCSC than at University of La Verne (about $735 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $49,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of La Verne than at University of California Santa Cruz (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of La Verne students is 78.7% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($40,688 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. La Verne Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or La Verne? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between La Verne and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 150 points higher than at La Verne (1110).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (29 vs. 21 at La Verne).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; University of La Verne 986/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; University of La Verne 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; La Verne - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UCSC students have a 0.39 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at La Verne (3.24).
• La Verne has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 9.8% at La Verne.

UCSC vs. La Verne Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and La Verne? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of La Verne's (58%).
• Graduates from University of La Verne earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($52,000 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $5,041 lower median loan debt than La Verne graduates ($19,959 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Verne graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Verne students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 51%)

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.