University of California - Santa Cruz Campus
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UC Santa Cruz: Rankings, Cost, Programs

Shiksha popularity ranking
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#280 in World

#57 in USA

  • Institute Icon2000 acre campus
  • Estd. 1965
Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 10 Oct '25

UC Santa Cruz
What's new?

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  • The applications for international students seeking admission to the University of California Santa Cruz will open on Nov 1, 2025.
  • The application submission deadline for international students is Nov 30, 2025.

About UC Santa Cruz

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All
History
Year of establishment
1965
Also known as
UCSC
University website
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Student website
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Total foreign students
769
Campus size
2000 acres
No. of campus
1
Scholarships available
4
Endowment value
USD 207 million
Scholarships granted
11637
Scholarship amount granted
USD 243 million
English proficiency test
Required
Accepted exams
SAT/ACT accepted
Not required
Total faculty
1123
Faculty/Student ratio
23
Male/Female ratio
0.86
UG/PG course ratio
0.63
Total criminal offences
657
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Commonly asked questions
On Highlights
Q:   Does UC Santa Cruz accept international students?
A: 

UC Santa Cruz offers both undergraduate and postgraduate programs to international students. In addition to that international students with valid visas are also eligible for the Regents Scholarship which is the highest honor awarded by the university based on the academic achievement of the students.  

Q:   What are the top 3 majors at University of California Santa Cruz?
A: 

The University of California offers more than 73 majors and 43 minors at the undergraduate level and 66+ graduate programs. At the undergraduate level, the University of California Santa Cruz offers top programs in Community studies, Chemistry, Art, History of Art and Visual Culture, Psychology, Theater Arts, Sociology and more. At the graduate level the university offers programs across divisions of Arts, Engineering, Humanities, Physical & Biological sciences, Social sciences etc. comprising of various degree types like M.F.A in Digital Arts & New Media, Social Documentation, Ph.D. in Film & Digital Media, Visual Studies, Applied Mathematics and M.A in History, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology and other diverse programs.  

Q:   Why should I choose UCSC?
A: 

University of California Santa Cruz ranks #201-250 in World University in 2024 and is the #82 National university according to the top-ranking publishers. By providing 73 undergraduate majors and 66 graduate programs the students have a wide range of options to choose from based on their interests and experiences. The university provides top courses such as computer science, behavioral sciences, business and economics, sociology, political Science and government. Besides the academic excellence that the university provides, campus life also serves as an advantage as it provides exposure to its students to multiple cultures and people of different backgrounds. The scenic location of the campus is something the students will enjoy. There are multiple internship opportunities provided to the students to gain hands-on experience in various industries. Lastly, according to the information on the web many graduates work in top organizations such as google, apple, amazon thus opening opportunities for many graduates to land jobs in top organizations as well.  

University of California - Santa Cruz Campus Ranking 2025

#280

World level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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#57

Country level
Shiksha Popularity Rank
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Commonly asked questions
On Rankings
Q:   Is the University of California Santa Cruz a good University of California Santa Cruz?
A: 

The University of Santa Cruz is one of the best public universities in the United States of America. QS rankings in 2024, this university ranked at 332. In the same lines, the US World and News ranks this university #105.  

Q:   Is The University of California Santa Cruz a top university?
A: 

The University of Santa Cruz is one of the best public universities in the United States of America. QS rankings in 2024, this university ranked at 332. In the same lines, the US World and News ranks this university #105.  

Q:   Which courses offered by the University of California Santa Cruz holds the highest ranking?
A: 

The University of California Santa Cruz secured the rank of #201-250 in 2024 in World University Rankings. According to the Shiksha study abroad grading system Biology (B+), Biomedical Engineering (C+), Computer Science (B+) and Electrical Engineering (B+) are some of the grading of the courses offered by the university of California Santa Cruz. Some of the courses offered by the University of California Santa Cruz have also been ranked by the top-ranking publishers. the list of the rankings is mentioned below-

Courses OfferedRanking 
Arts & Humanities#151-175
Computer Science#176-200
Education #176-200
Engineering#201-250
Life Science#126-150

UC Santa Cruz Admissions 2026

  • Application fees :USD 155
  • Type of deadline :Regular
Document IconDocuments
Type of documentsApplicable for
SOPNeeded for all courses
LORNeeded for all courses
EssaysNot required
CVNeeded for all courses
Additional documentsRequired
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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   What is the deadline for UC Santa Cruz admission application?
A: 

International students can apply to the UC of Santa Cruz in three terms which are the Summer, Winter, and Fall semesters. For the year 2026, international students should apply by Nov 30, 2025. The applications are to be made via the application portal with an application fee which is USD 95. 

Q:   How can I apply to the University of California Santa Cruz as an international student?
A: 

The University of California Santa Cruz offers more than 100+ degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels to international students. The UC Santa Cruz is part of the University of California system, therefore, international students are required to fill online application form through the ‘Common Application’ admission portal of the University of California system. You will be asked to choose which campus you wish to apply for.

Q:   What are the admission requirements for international students at University of California Santa Cruz?
A: 

Primarily, if your secondary schools, colleges or university weren’t in English, the students are required to take an English language test. Minimum of 6.5 or higher score is required for IELTS, minimum score of iBT test is 80 or more and Duolingo English test requires a minimum of 115 score. A passport from your home country and a visa from the U.S. is a must. A student visa will only be granted if the student provides written evidence demonstrating their adequate financial resources for the entire time till the completion of the degree. Additionally, a variety of housing options are available to the UC students, however some require early applications.

UC Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz Scholarships

4No. of scholarships available
41.8 LTotal scholarship amount
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Commonly asked questions
On Scholarships
Q:   Are there any scholarships for international students offered by UC Santa Cruz?
A: 

International students are generally eligible for student loans and are eligible for very few scholarships. International students are not eligible for need based federal aid since it is reserved for US citizens and permanent residents. International undergraduate students with valid visas are eligible for the Regents Scholarship, the highest honor awarded by the university based on the students' academic achievement. Graduates of an Indian or Pakistani University are eligible for the Guru Gobind Singh Fellowship which is aimed at providing support to students enrolled in the master's course of Economics and Finance, MS in human computer interaction in the University of California Santa Cruz. The maximum scholarship per student is $30,000 (INR 2,506,038). 

Q:   What are the factors that need to be kept in mind in order to secure a scholarship at UCSC?
A: 

Only the new and continuing residents of California who have been accepted for admissions at UC are eligible to apply for scholarships. To be considered for all scholarships, students are required to complete their financial aid application by the beginning of March every year. Mention your unique characteristics in the “scholarship” section of the admission application. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative UCSC GPA of 2.0 to maintain The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (FA SAP). For scholarship renewals students need to enroll in 15 units each year- and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.o. U.S. citizens, eligible non-citizens and international students with a valid visa are eligible for the Regents Scholarships. 

Q:   What is the Deans scholarship offered at UCSC?
A: 

The newly admitted out of state and international first year and are automatically considered for the undergraduate Dean’s Award. First year students receive awards ranging from $12,000-$54,000 (INR 1,002,644- 4,511,899) paid evenly over the four years. In case a student becomes a California resident the scholarship will be automatically discontinued.  

UC Santa Cruz Popular Courses

MS
MBA/PGDM
B.E. / B.Tech
B.A.
More

₹44.54 LGet Fee Details

₹29.17 LGet Fee Details

UC Santa Cruz
Students Ratings & Reviews

4/5
Verified Icon1 Verified ReviewInfo Icon
Student Views (Based on Reviews)
  • 0% students never faced discrimination in this university
Vibe of Campus
Multi-dimensional
Friendly
Internships3
Part time work3
Post study jobs5
Quality of faculty4
Student Life5
Value for money4
Public transportation4
Safety4
Indian Food5
Permanent Immigration3
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
BS Computer Science - Batch of 2024
4
University of California provides with a lot of potential to explore.
Tips: I have enjoyed my overall experience at the University of California, Santa Cruz. I have gained a lot of learning, experience, and maturity while studying here. The faculty and student body are very involved, which makes for a great learning environment. The library is well-equipped, and there is a constant buzz on campus because of the variety of clubs and societies. You will be able to get practical experience through some hands-on projects, which will help you after graduation. Finally, joining study groups and societies is a great way to form a network and gain a sense of community.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 2450
Prepping time for classes32 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 84450
Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024Read more
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UC Santa Cruz Placements

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Commonly asked questions
On Placements
Q:   What are some of the summer internships provided by UCSC?
A: 

The UCSC provides several internships to its students. Cogen Power Plant Operator Internship is a summer internship providing industrial experience as operators in their organization. The internship aims at building a strong foundation for individuals interested in pursuing careers in fields involving efficient management of crucial infrastructure systems.  Another summer internship is Nature Explorer Summer Camp Intern where the Santa Cruz Museum of national history invites the interested students to gain experience in outdoor education, childhood development and be a part of their 7-week long nature explorers summer camp. A monthly stipend is also awarded upon the completion of the internship.  

Q:   What is the Health Science Internship offered at the University of California Santa Cruz?
A: 

The students of Human Biology majors are required to undertake an internship at a health care facility in the Monterey Bay Area or elsewhere. The aim of the internship is to ensure exposure to students in gaining first-hand experience with the type of issues faced by the healthcare professionals along with the skills required to counter the same. Interns complete 80 hours at their placement over the course of the quarter. The internship takes place around April during the fall. The winter timings for the same are yet to be announced by The University of California Santa Cruz. Students are required to submit a google form application along with their resume, letter of intent and proof of health insurance.  

Q:   Is University of California Santa Cruz worth for placement?
A: 

The University of California Santa Cruz is known for offering the highest placement rate in USA. UC Santa Cruz placement rate attracts international students the most. According to unofficial sources, the average annual salary of University of California Santa Cruz graduates is USD 62,151 (INR 54.02 LPA) annually. The university graduates are always in high demand all over the world. The university graduates work for top sectors such as Information Technology, Media and Communication, Sales, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Consulting, Product Management, etc.. According to the University of California Santa Cruz reviews posted by students on Shiksha, the university has been rated 4.0 stars for the quality of its faculty. The students rated the University of California Santa Cruz for placement is as follows:

Particulars

Ratings (Out of 5)

Internships

3.0

Part Time Work

3.0

Post Study Jobs

5.0

UC Santa Cruz Fees

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Courses1st Year Tuition FeesDuration & Eligibility
MS(2 courses)
INR 29 L - 45 LGet Fee Details
Duration1 year-15 months
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 83 - 100, PTE, Duolingo
MBA/PGDM(1 course)
Duration1 year
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 83 & Above, PTE, Duolingo
B.E. / B.Tech(3 courses)
INR 39 L - 40 LGet Fee Details
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo
B.A.(1 course)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo
B.Sc.(1 course)
Duration4 years
Exam AcceptedIELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo
Read more
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Commonly asked questions
On Fees and Eligibility
Q:   What GPA do you need to go to UC Santa Cruz?
A: 

International students are required to meet the GPA requirements to get admission to UC Santa Cruz. A GPA of 3.40 on a 4.0 scale is needed, but wait, the admission requirements do not end here, they also include other important factors like essays, LORs, extracurriculars and stuff. 







UC Santa Cruz
Student profile

Quick university statsInsights on student demographics, enrolment, and academic success
UG Race

Others

46%

Hispanic

28%

Asian

23%

Black

1%

UG Student residence

In state

90%

Out of state

6%

Foreign

2%

UG Age distribution

24 and under

95%

25 and over

4%

UG Applicant Icon

UG Number of Applicant

65912
grad RateIcon

Overall Graduation Rate

77
UG Enroll Icon

UG Enrollment

17502
PG Enroll Icon

PG Enrollment

1976

UC Santa Cruz Notable Alumni

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UC Santa Cruz Vs University of California, LA Vs Arizona State: Which is better?

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Compare UC Santa Cruz with other similar colleges

MS
MBA/PGDM
B.E. / B.Tech
B.A.
B.Sc.
College1st Year Tuition FeesRanking
INR 29.17 L - 44.54 L#88 US News, 2026
INR 26.69 L#1201 QS, 2026
INR 31.55 L - 52.04 L -/-
INR 74.67 L -/-
INR 22.42 L - 29.9 L -/-
INR 35.96 L#9 Guardian, 2026
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
View comparisonsRight Arrow Icon

UC Santa Cruz
Studying in USA

Key Facts About USA

Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Education in USA
school Key Fact Icon
963+
backpack Key Fact Icon
3.38L
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
20 hours per week
cashRegister Key Fact Icon
12 months
Country stats
mapPin Key Fact Icon
Washington D.C.
keyUsers Key Fact Icon
347.28M (2025)
chartMixed Key Fact Icon
2%
letterA Key Fact Icon
English
Weather
October
CF
Popular LocationsMinMax
Boston817
New York1018
Chicago1017
Los Angeles1626
Explore popular study abroad destinations

UC Santa Cruz Campus Life

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Commonly asked questions
On Others
Q:   Does the University of California Santa Cruz offer on-campus housing facilities to students?
A: 

The University of California Santa Cruz offers more than 10 residential colleges that is supported by a strong faculty and staff who provide academic support to the students along with organisation of activities for students, and events focusing on the enhancement of intellectual and social life of the students. Post acceptance to the University, the admitted students can select their college of preference from the 10 options provided by the University. Each college community offers a diverse background and academic goal to the students. 

Q:   Is the University of California Santa Cruz campus safe?
A: 

The safety and protection of students is of utmost importance for UCSC. The UC Santa Cruz has a on-campus police department who look into the safety and protection of the students and faculty on campus. Moreover, to increase hazard awareness among students, the University ensure routinely presentation on reduction of fire and injuries on campus and have a campus fire station as well. To ensure that the students are safe in their residential colleges and at night, UCSC also offers a Community Safety Program which is readily available for any emergency needs and also provide security for other university events as well. Hence. The university of California Santa Cruz ensures the safety and protection of its students.

UC Santa Cruz

Q:   What are the requirements for the MS in Computer Interaction course at the University of California Santa Cruz Campus?
A: 

Below are the requirements for the MS in Computer Interaction course at the University of California Santa Course Campus:

  • LOR: Some programs ask for a LOR, and with particular exceptions, who should write those letters. 

  • Statement of purpose ( an SOP): An SOP is essential for the application process for UC Santa Cruz. It helps the applicant to convey their talents, Academic excellence accomplishments and personal background of applicants. 

  • Transcripts and degrees: the applicant must provide the university with transcripts of their academics with degree certificates. Similarly, applying for PhD or doctoral programme may require a master’s degree and transcripts from all graduate institutions of the applicant. 

  • English Language Proficiency exams: The following table explains the minimum score  of each English exam the university is excepting : 

  • English is the language of instruction for the majority of the programs at the University of California Santa Cruz.

Exam

Score

TOEFL

Minimum 80 or better

IELTS

Overall score of 6.5 or higher

TOEFL

Minimum score of 115

  • Applicants need not take any GRE exam for this course. 

  • Students should have  a background in design but no particular analytics or technology expertise (e.g., students graduating from design schools or professionals working as technology designers).

  • Students who have a background in social sciences, but minimal analytics or technical background.

  • Students who have a technical background in interactive system creation but no particular design or analytics expertise (e.g., students graduating from the current UCSC B.S. in Computer Science or Computer Engineering or professionals working as programmers or hardware engineers).

 

Q:   What are some useful tips for students starting their first semester at UC Santa Cruz?
A: 

Some of the tips for students starting their first-semester at the University ofCalifornia Santa Cruz are:

  • Students who applied for University of California Santa Cruz must be humble and should interact with as many people as possible. Mainly beacause, the more people you talk to the better knowledge you get. 
  • Attend as many gathering and parties as much as you can. 
  • Applicants should avoid missing classess, as 70% of learning comes from students going to classes. 
  • Students can get invovlved with extracuricular activities, i.e joing university clubs, sports etc. This will also look good on a portfolio in the longer run. 
Q:   How do I stand out as an international applicant at UC Santa Cruz?
A: 

The admissions at UC Santa Cruz are competitive and you also must talk about experiences and challenges that they've overcome, as that shows how the candidate takes on tasks during tough times. Coming to the essential part, students are suggested to have strong SOPs and LOR which can persuade the examiner to give them admission at the University of California Santa Cruz Campus. 

Q:   Is the GRE required for the University of California Santa Cruz?
A: 

The GRE is required for some of their graduate degree programs. The applicant must review the complete list of application requirements, including LORs, SOPs, academic transcripts and many more. However, the university does not ask for a general minimum GRE score from the applicants, but students are suggested to have a good score in order to be considered. Students applying for the following programs for 2024 admissions consideration are required to submit official GRE scores.No other programs accet or review GRE scores as part of the 2024 application:

Department

Program / Degree Objective (s)

Exam (s) Required

Applied Mathematics

MA

GRE General Test AND GRE Mathematics Subject Exam

Economics

PhD/MA

GRE General Test

Mathematics

MA, MA/PhD, PhD

GRE General Test AND GRE Mathematics Subject Exam

Technology Management

PhD

GRE General Test

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Comments

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UC Santa Cruz

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 3 months ago

The University of California, Santa Cruz, is one of the most demanding universities when it comes to the minimum GPA requirements for admission. For international students, a GPA of 3.4 or above out of 4.0 is recommended for admission. Along with GPA, applicants must also focus on other admission re

...Read more

S

Shreya Basu

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 7 months ago

The University of California Santa Cruz is known for offering the highest placement rate across the nation. UCSC placement rate attracts international students the most. Additionally, UC Santa Cruz graduates work for top sectors such as Business Development, Education, Information Technology, Operat

...Read more

N

Nishtha Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 7 months ago

The University of California Santa Cruz is among the top universities for international students to continue higher education in USA. University of California Santa Cruz graduates works for top companies all over the world. International students can look for the ratings for different parameters fro

...Read more

P

Pallavi Shukla

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 7 months ago

University of California Santa Cruz placement rate attracts international students the most. Along with this, UCSC student body features around 4.5% international students representing more than 100 nations are welcomed at University of California Santa Cruz. 

M

Manashjyoti Sharma

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 7 months ago

The University of California Santa Cruz is one of the most prominent universities in USA for higher education. UC Santa Cruz is known for offering the highest placement rate in the country. The University of California Santa Cruz placement rate stands at 91%, this means out of 100 students, around 9

...Read more

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Ishita Kalra

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

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Tasneem Hoda

Study Abroad Expert

Tasneem Hoda is a Content Creator and Writer working for Shiksha.com. Her role includes developing and maintaining web pages for international universities at the Shiksha Study Abroad Portal, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with instit...Read Full Bio
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UC Santa Cruz
Location

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University CitySanta Cruz, California, USA

UC Santa Cruz
Campuses

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Santa Cruz CampusUp Arrow Icon
Address

UC Santa Cruz
Contact Information

Address

UC SANTA CRUZ,
1156 HIGH STREET,
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95064

Santa Cruz ( California)

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