UCSC vs. San Jose Christian College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Santa Cruz is larger than San Jose Christian College based on total student enrollment (19,938 students vs. 1,865 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); William Jessup University is in Rocklin, CA (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. William Jessup University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Santa Cruz 22:1; William Jessup University 10:1.

UCSC vs. San Jose Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC or San Jose Christian 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 San Jose Christian College ($18,059 vs. $29,679).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at William Jessup University are 31.8% lower than at University of California Santa Cruz ($13,606 vs. $19,948).
• William Jessup University is 132.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSC (about $21,145 more per year; $37,150.00 vs. $16,005.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.1% higher at UCSC than at William Jessup University (about $13,055 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $37,150.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at William Jessup University than at University of California Santa Cruz (98% vs. 57%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by William Jessup University students is 5.6% larger than aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students ($24,059 vs. $22,774).

UCSC vs. San Jose Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC or San Jose Christian 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 San Jose Christian College and UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 130 points higher than at San Jose Christian College (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 1160/1360; William Jessup University 1041/1228.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; San Jose Christian College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSC students have a 0.3 point higher average high school GPA (3.63) than students at San Jose Christian College (3.33).
• San Jose Christian College has a higher acceptance rate (93.3%) than UCSC (65.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 19.6% at San Jose Christian College.

UCSC vs. San Jose Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC and San Jose Christian 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).

• University of California Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than William Jessup University's (54%).
• Graduates from University of California Santa Cruz earn a median of about $10,300 more per year than San Jose Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $40,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Santa Cruz graduates have a $1,541 lower median loan debt than San Jose Christian College graduates ($19,959 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSC graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Jose Christian College graduates ($206 vs. $222).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose Christian College students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 61%)

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.