UCSC vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than University of Minnesota-Duluth based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 9,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); University of Minnesota Duluth is in Duluth, MN (Small City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Minnesota Duluth is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; University of Minnesota Duluth 16:1.

UCSC vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth ($18,059 vs. $20,128).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Duluth are 44.3% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($11,110 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 9.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Minnesota-Duluth (about $1,395 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $14,610.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 149.4% higher at UCSC than at University of Minnesota Duluth (about $30,075 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $20,130.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Duluth than at University of California Santa Cruz (95% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 216.9% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Duluth students ($22,774 vs. $7,186).

UCSC vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Duluth (1270) is 10 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at University of Minnesota-Duluth).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; University of Minnesota Duluth 1180/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; University of Minnesota Duluth 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; University of Minnesota-Duluth - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; University of Minnesota-Duluth Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at University of Minnesota-Duluth (3.51).
• University of Minnesota-Duluth has a higher acceptance rate (88.8%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 22.5% at University of Minnesota-Duluth.

UCSC vs. University of Minnesota-Duluth Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and University of Minnesota-Duluth? 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 Minnesota Duluth's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Minnesota Duluth earn a median of about $3,100 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,500 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 University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($19,959 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than University of Minnesota-Duluth graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More University of Minnesota-Duluth 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.