UCSC vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Utah is larger than UCSC based on total student enrollment (36,894 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 Utah is in Salt Lake City, UT (Midsize City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Utah is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; University of Utah 19:1.

UCSC vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Utah? 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 Utah than UCSC ($16,583 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 33.3% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($13,315 vs. $19,948).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 66.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Utah (about $6,385 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $9,620.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 62.7% higher at UCSC than at University of Utah (about $19,345 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $30,860.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at University of California Santa Cruz (73% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 78.7% larger than aid received by University of Utah students ($22,774 vs. $12,744).

UCSC vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 30 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at Utah).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Utah students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.64) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 26% at Utah.

UCSC vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Utah? 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 Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $10,900 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $4,959 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($15,000 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($155 vs. $206).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Utah students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.