UCSC vs. University of Nevada-Reno

Comparable Facts

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

University of Nevada Reno is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (23,024 students vs. 19,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); University of Nevada Reno is in Reno, NV (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Reno is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; University of Nevada Reno 17:1.

UCSC vs. University of Nevada-Reno Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno than UCSC ($17,226 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Reno are 27.3% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($14,496 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 67.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than University of Nevada-Reno (about $6,427 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $9,578.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 81.1% higher at UCSC than at University of Nevada Reno (about $22,485 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $27,720.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Reno than at University of California Santa Cruz (93% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 208.8% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Reno students ($22,774 vs. $7,375).

UCSC vs. University of Nevada-Reno Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 80 points higher than at University of Nevada-Reno (1180).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 22 at University of Nevada-Reno).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; University of Nevada Reno 1060/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; University of Nevada Reno 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; University of Nevada-Reno - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; University of Nevada-Reno Apr 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at University of Nevada-Reno (3.4).
• University of Nevada-Reno has a higher acceptance rate (73.7%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 26.5% at University of Nevada-Reno.

UCSC vs. University of Nevada-Reno Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and University of Nevada-Reno? 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 Nevada Reno's (51%).
• Graduates from University of Nevada Reno earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Nevada Reno graduates have a $1,158 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($18,801 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, University of Nevada-Reno graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($194 vs. $206).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former University of Nevada-Reno students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 64%)

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.