University of California-San Diego vs University of California-Santa Cruz
University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA, and University of California-Santa Cruz is a public university in Santa Cruz, CA. University of California-San Diego is the more selective of the two, admitting about 27% of applicants against 66% at University of California-Santa Cruz. University of California-San Diego is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $12,470 a year against $17,890 at University of California-Santa Cruz. About 87% of students graduate at University of California-San Diego, compared with 75% at University of California-Santa Cruz. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-San Diego alumni earn a median of about $84,943, against $68,396 for University of California-Santa Cruz.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
La Jolla, CA
Santa Cruz, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
34,948
17,940
Acceptance rate
27%
66%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.49–3.99
SAT (middle 50%)
1270–1480
1160–1360
ACT (middle 50%)
28–34
25–33
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$12,470
$17,890
Full cost / yr
$38,701
$41,179
In-state tuition
$16,758
$16,005
Out-of-state tuition
$50,958
$50,205
Application fee
$80
$80
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,525
$8,717
$30k - $48k
$8,155
$10,613
$48k - $75k
$9,942
$14,418
$75k - $110k
$15,199
$18,986
Over $110k
$28,785
$33,323
Outcomes
Graduation rate
87%
75%
Freshman retention
94%
88%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$65,669
$49,716
Median earnings (10 yr)
$84,943
$68,396
Median debt at graduation
$15,500
$16,666
Student body
Pell grant recipients
34%
32%
First-generation students
40%
37%
International students
11%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Nov 30
Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is University of California-San Diego or University of California-Santa Cruz harder to get into?
- University of California-San Diego is harder to get into. It admits about 27% of applicants, compared with 66% at University of California-Santa Cruz. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or University of California-Santa Cruz?
- University of California-San Diego is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,470 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $17,890 at University of California-Santa Cruz. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-San Diego and University of California-Santa Cruz?
- Before aid, University of California-San Diego costs about $38,701 a year and University of California-Santa Cruz about $41,179. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of California-San Diego or University of California-Santa Cruz?
- University of California-San Diego. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,525 there, against about $8,717 at University of California-Santa Cruz. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of California-San Diego or University of California-Santa Cruz?
- University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 17,940 at University of California-Santa Cruz.
- Does University of California-San Diego or University of California-Santa Cruz have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-San Diego has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 75% at University of California-Santa Cruz.
- Do graduates of University of California-San Diego or University of California-Santa Cruz earn more?
- University of California-San Diego alumni earn more on average: a median of about $84,943 ten years after enrolling, against about $68,396 for University of California-Santa Cruz. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-San Diego and University of California-Santa Cruz require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-San Diego is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. University of California-Santa Cruz is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do University of California-San Diego and University of California-Santa Cruz look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego and 1160–1360 at University of California-Santa Cruz. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
University of California-San Diego vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of California-BerkeleyUniversity of California-Santa Cruz vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-Santa Cruz vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-Santa Cruz vs University of California-Berkeley
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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