UCSC vs. Mary Washington College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Mary Washington College based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 3,826 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); University of Mary Washington is in Fredericksburg, VA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Mary Washington is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; University of Mary Washington 13:1.

UCSC vs. Mary Washington College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College ($18,059 vs. $21,800).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Mary Washington are 28.6% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($14,250 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Mary Washington College (about $1,365 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $14,640.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.2% higher at UCSC than at University of Mary Washington (about $22,645 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $27,560.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Mary Washington than at University of California Santa Cruz (99% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 117.1% larger than aid received by University of Mary Washington students ($22,774 vs. $10,491).

UCSC vs. Mary Washington College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or Mary Washington 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 Mary Washington College and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Mary Washington (1270) is 10 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 29) as students at Mary Washington College (29).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; University of Mary Washington 1170/1370.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; University of Mary Washington 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Mary Washington College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Mary Washington College students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.71) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• Mary Washington College has a higher acceptance rate (79.8%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 17.7% at Mary Washington College.

UCSC vs. Mary Washington College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Mary Washington 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).

• University of California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than University of Mary Washington's (71%).
• Graduates from University of Mary Washington earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,500 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $1,541 lower median loan debt than Mary Washington College graduates ($19,959 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Mary Washington College graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More Mary Washington College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.