University of California-Santa Cruz vs Concordia University-Irvine
University of California-Santa Cruz is a public university in Santa Cruz, CA. Concordia University-Irvine is a private university in Irvine, CA. Both admit about 66% of applicants. Students pay an average of about $17,890 a year at University of California-Santa Cruz after aid, and about $28,115 at Concordia University-Irvine. About 75% of students graduate at University of California-Santa Cruz, compared with 60% at Concordia University-Irvine. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-Santa Cruz alumni earn a median of about $68,396, against $65,083 for Concordia University-Irvine.
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
Santa Cruz, CA
Irvine, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
17,940
1,536
Acceptance rate
66%
66%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.49–3.99
3.44–3.94
SAT (middle 50%)
1160–1360
1030–1260
ACT (middle 50%)
25–33
21–29
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$17,890
$28,115
Full cost / yr
$41,179
$58,682
In-state tuition
$16,005
$43,480
Out-of-state tuition
$50,205
$43,480
Application fee
$80
$0
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$8,717
$25,431
$30k - $48k
$10,613
$26,012
$48k - $75k
$14,418
$22,202
$75k - $110k
$18,986
$26,339
Over $110k
$33,323
$31,967
Outcomes
Graduation rate
75%
60%
Freshman retention
88%
75%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$49,716
$53,777
Median earnings (10 yr)
$68,396
$65,083
Median debt at graduation
$16,666
$24,247
Student body
Pell grant recipients
32%
24%
First-generation students
37%
28%
International students
3%
3%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Nov 15
Regular decision
Nov 30
Rolling
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-Santa Cruz or Concordia University-Irvine harder to get into?
- They are about equally selective: both admit around 66% of applicants. 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-Santa Cruz or Concordia University-Irvine?
- University of California-Santa Cruz is cheaper on average. Students pay about $17,890 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $28,115 at Concordia University-Irvine. 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-Santa Cruz and Concordia University-Irvine?
- Before aid, University of California-Santa Cruz costs about $41,179 a year and Concordia University-Irvine about $58,682. 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-Santa Cruz or Concordia University-Irvine?
- University of California-Santa Cruz. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $8,717 there, against about $25,431 at Concordia University-Irvine. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, University of California-Santa Cruz or Concordia University-Irvine?
- University of California-Santa Cruz is the larger of the two, with about 17,940 undergraduates against 1,536 at Concordia University-Irvine.
- Does University of California-Santa Cruz or Concordia University-Irvine have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-Santa Cruz has the higher graduation rate, at about 75% against 60% at Concordia University-Irvine.
- Do graduates of University of California-Santa Cruz or Concordia University-Irvine earn more?
- University of California-Santa Cruz alumni earn more on average: a median of about $68,396 ten years after enrolling, against about $65,083 for Concordia University-Irvine. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-Santa Cruz and Concordia University-Irvine require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-Santa Cruz is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Concordia University-Irvine is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
- What SAT scores do University of California-Santa Cruz and Concordia University-Irvine look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1160–1360 at University of California-Santa Cruz and 1030–1260 at Concordia University-Irvine. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
University 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-BerkeleyConcordia University-Irvine vs Pomona CollegeConcordia University-Irvine vs Claremont McKenna CollegeConcordia University-Irvine vs Pitzer College
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.
1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school