UCSC vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; Westmont College 10:1.

UCSC vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or Westmont 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 Westmont College ($18,059 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 15% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($16,960 vs. $19,948).
• Westmont College is 234.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $37,579 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.7% higher at Westmont College than at University of California Santa Cruz (about $3,379 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $50,205.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of California Santa Cruz (100% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 71.1% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($38,956 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Westmont College (1350) is 90 points higher than at UCSC (1260).
• Incoming UCSC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

UCSC vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and Westmont 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of California Santa Cruz's (73%).
• Graduates from Westmont College earn a median of about $4,200 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $5,164 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($19,959 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($206 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSC students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.