UCSC vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); University of San Francisco is in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; University of San Francisco 11:1.

UCSC vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or USF? 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 USF ($18,059 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 0.9% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($19,764 vs. $19,948).
• University of San Francisco is 278% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $44,487 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at USF than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $10,287 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of California Santa Cruz (95% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 52.5% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($34,723 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 30 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at USF (3.57).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than USF (61.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 6% at USF.

UCSC vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and USF? 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 San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $20,000 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 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 USF graduates ($19,959 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 73%)

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.