University of California-Santa Cruz

1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA
4-year
Large
Urban

University of California-Santa Cruz rankings and awards

Questions and Answers about University of California-Santa Cruz

Jade H.
1 year ago
What happens if you don’t like your roommate?
Jade H.
1 year ago
How are roommates selected for first year students at UCSC?
Quin W.
1 year ago
Does UCSC sports teams allow walk ons?
Lauren H.
1 year ago
Is UCSC need-blind in admissions?
Hannah J.
1 year ago
If I’m transferring as a sophomore in college, will UCSC still look at my high school grades when applying?
Alyssa N.
1 year ago
What are UCSC's updated COVID-19 policies?
6 / 52 questions shown

Majors offered at University of California-Santa Cruz

Biggest majors
Computer Science
Psychology, General
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences

Academics at University of California-Santa Cruz

1190-1400
SAT Score Range
400
1600
Required with application
26-32
ACT Score Range
1
36
Required with application
Student Faculty Ratio
19 to 1
Selectivity
Somewhat Selective (47% Acceptance Rate)
School type
Public 4-year institution
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Common careers for University of California-Santa Cruz students

Common Careers and Their Average Annual Salary

Software Engineer102k
Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General)75k
Operations Manager73k
Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization60k
Executive Assistant60k
Research Associate, Biotechnology55k
Office Manager51k
Based on 12,586 student responses
59.3kAvg. Early Career Pay
110.7kAvg. Mid-Career Pay
48%in High-Meaning careers
38%in STEM careers

Net price of attending University of California-Santa Cruz

University of California-Santa Cruz financial aid

Grants per year
Loans per year

Student reviews of University of California-Santa Cruz

by Bold.org students

3.8

5

4

3

2

1

Recommended by

95% of students

Known for

Beautiful campus
Access to outdoor activities
LGBTQ+ friendly
Welcoming student body
Safe campus
Alexis Portillo
Roller Skating
Crocheting
Surfing
Yoga + 12 others

5.0

WHAT I LIKED

I learned a lot at UCSC. However, I did learn that I am more of a hands-on learner which the UC system is not set up to accommodate for. If you are into research this is a great school for you!

WHAT I didn’t LIKE

I wish there were more hands-on experiences built into the classes. The Environmental Studies department did have an internship program that allowed you to pursue internships for credit, however, if you are like me and are paying your own way through school it is difficult to fit such opportunities into a work-packed schedule.

Tristen Arana
Dungeons And Dragons
Magic The Gathering
Guitar
Piano + 5 others

5.0

WHAT I LIKED

I have found that with the covid epidemic I definitely am having a different experience when it comes to education. But I have found that even with all the UCSC has found ways to foster a community through groups with studying and also recreational. Also, the dorms are really nice but you have gotta keep those clean yourself obviously. The education and also health systems are very helpful.

WHAT I didn’t LIKE

The ability to express yourself in any manner and be helped with it be it in any way you want to learn, or something you want to explore within yourself. There are many resources to help with things like mental health which do tend to be hard to grasp if you don't have someone helping you but accessing them will help anyone tremendously.

Peyton Quijano
Girl Scouts
Minecraft
Knitting
Crafting + 2 others

4.0

WHAT I LIKED

The campus is beautiful and it’s easy to find “your people”. The teachers are usually great and the classes are interesting. It’s easy to enroll and figure out the classes and how to get around.

WHAT I didn’t LIKE

The administration doesn’t really care about students. It seems like we always get screwed over when things change, and they don’t do much to placate us.

Yvette Suarez
Exercise And Fitness
Makeup and Beauty
Reading
Music + 2 others

3.0

WHAT I LIKED

The professors care about their students. The campus is located in a beautiful area.

WHAT I didn’t LIKE

There is not much social life.

Erin Akamine
Orchestra
Drawing And Illustration
Cello
Movies And Film

4.0

WHAT I LIKED

This campus is beautiful and the students are really warm and welcoming. I can count on seeing either deer or turkeys at least once a day. The professors are usually pretty good--at least the ones in the humanities department. This is a great research school as well. So if you're in STEM, this is the place to find research internships and other opportunities.

WHAT I didn’t LIKE

On the downside, the location is pretty isolated. While I love this huge campus, this means transportation can be difficult sometimes. Also, the food is not the best. It's dining hall food, so I never expected much.

Bianca Urban
Drawing And Illustration
Reading

4.0

WHAT I LIKED

Santa Cruz, in general, is a nice place to be in, the people are nice and some events allow you to interact with the community. The college is surrounded by nature and though it's hard at first, it ain't a bad place. The best part of the campus is the views, especially during sunset.

WHAT I didn’t LIKE

Sometimes the dining hall is not good and there are times when the Doordash delivery fee is more than $5.99 or doesn't come into the school campus, it's not bad but there are other options.

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While we do our best to show up-to-date information, due to COVID-19 and other factors out of our control, it is possible that the data we are showing about test requirements, application deadlines, and more, are inaccurate. Please verify with the college itself via their website to ensure you are aware of all requirements and deadlines.