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UC Santa Cruz: Rankings, Cost, Programs
2000 acre campus- Estd. 1965
Last updated on 29 Nov '25UC Santa CruzWhat's new?
- Applications for international students wanting 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
The university offers a vibrant campus comprising 10 residential colleges, more than 150 organizations exposure to art and culture, campus events, and many more. The total number of students at UCSC based on the 2023 data was 19,764 with over 17,812 undergraduates and around 1952 graduate students. According to the top-ranking publishers the University of California Santa Cruz ranked #201-250 in 2024 in World University Rankings. According to Shiksha Popularity Rankings, the University of California Santa Cruz has an overall ranking of #49 in USA. Some of the notable alumni of UC Santa Cruz are Andy Samberg, an American actor, comedian, and musician, Susan Wojcicki the former CEO of YouTube and Jonah Peretti, the Co-founder and the CEO of Buzzfeed and Co-founder of the Huffington Post in addition to 9 winners of 11 Pulitzer Prizes and 7 MacArthur ‘genius’ Awards.
UC Santa Cruz History
The University of California Santa Cruz was established in 1965, gaining the recognition of “the most significant educational experiment in the history of the University of California” as quoted by the then UC President Clark Kerr. Known for the beauty that surrounds the university, UC SC is in and around a redwood forest. Spreading across 2,000 acres the UCSC’s main campus is located 75 miles south of San Francisco, in the Ben Lomond Mountain ridge of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The university began with the ultimate motive of showcasing progressive, innovative teaching methods, cross-disciplinary undergraduate education, and contemporary architecture. UC Santa Cruz is a public land-grant research university. Satellite facilities in other Santa Cruz locations comprise the Coastal Science Campus, the Westside Research Park, and the Silicon Valley Center in Santa Cruz. The UC SC Silicon Valley Campus is a multidisciplinary hub for research, and teaching relevant to the Tech and Engineering industry.
Some important things to know about the University of California Santa Cruz are mentioned below-
| Particulars | Validations |
|---|---|
| UC Santa Cruz Acceptance Rate | Around 46% |
| UC Santa Cruz Public or Private | Public |
| UC Santa Cruz Total no. of Students | 19,764 |
| UC Santa Cruz Ranking | #49 in USA by Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
| UC Santa Cruz IELTS Score | 6.5 or above |
| UC Santa Cruz Top 5 Courses |
Computer and Information Sciences | Psychology | Business | Molecular Biology | Sociology |
The University of California Serves an acceptance rate is around 46% thus making admissions moderately competitive. The university offers 73 undergraduate majors and 66 graduate programs popularly known for their excellence and innovation in the fields of Agroecology, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Feminist Studies, Linguistics, Marine Science, and Policy and many more. Some of the top courses offered at UC Santa Cruz are computer science, behavioral sciences, business and economics, sociology, political science, and government. The acceptance rate of UC SC is around 46% thus making admissions moderately competitive. The international first-year applicants are expected to have a GPA of 3.0 to be admitted to the university.
According to recent statistics the graduates of the University of Santa Cruz work in top organizations such as Google, Amazon, Kaiser Permanente, and research. The graduates of this course work as educationists, Business developers, engineers or researchers. The UC Santa Cruz alumni in tech jobs earn an average of $136,978 per annum according to the information available on the web.
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
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.
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.
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
University of California - Santa Cruz Campus is considered to be one of the top universities in USA. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, University of California - Santa Cruz Campus ranking stands at #49 in 2025, at national level. Apart from this, the university is also ranked by QS 2025 at #393 for World University Ranking category. The university ranking for QS at World University Ranking level for 2024 was #332. This shows that the university's position has witnessed a declined trend this year.
ARWU (Shanghai Ranking) also ranks the university among the top names. In 2024, University of California - Santa Cruz Campus ranking stood at #151 for Universities Rankings category, showcasing a stagnant trend when compared to the last year.Moreover, a few of the University of California - Santa Cruz Campus courses are also ranked by Shiksha Popularity Ranking. Below are the course rankings:
| Course name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| MS | #104 |
| Others PG | #180 |
| M.A. | #98 |
#282
#57
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
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 Offered | Ranking |
|---|---|
| Arts & Humanities | #151-175 |
| Computer Science | #176-200 |
| Education | #176-200 |
| Engineering | #201-250 |
| Life Science | #126-150 |
UC Santa Cruz Popular Programs
The UCSC provides a wide range of undergraduate and post graduate programs to students. Securing the reputation of having one out of their 10 colleges chosen by undergraduate students, the University of California ensures exposure to history, academic support, activities, and events. With 73 majors and 43 minors in the undergraduate program and 66 postgraduate programs, the University of California popular programs vary across fields of Art, Engineering, Physical, and Biological Sciences. The University of California Santa Cruz offers courses across multiple disciplines such as Arts, Humanities, Social Science, Science, and Baskin School of Engineering. The duration of the Undergraduate course offered by UCSC is usually 4 years. The duration of the graduate course offered by the University of California Santa Cruz varies according to the program the student opts for.
Top Programs
The University of California Santa Cruz top programs are ranked by Shiksha Popularity Rankings that are as follows:
|
Top Courses |
Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
|---|---|
|
MS |
#104 |
|
Physics |
#41 |
|
Biology |
#47 |
|
Computer Science Engineering |
#68 |
|
Mathematics |
#84 |
|
Electrical Engineering |
#91 |
|
Biomedical Engineering |
#114 |
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
UC Santa Cruz is known for offering the best academic programs for its international students in the USA. OSU offers 73 majors and 43 minors in the undergraduate programme and 66 postgraduate programs for its students. The UC Santa Cruz top programs are ranked by Shiksha Popularity Rankings that are as follows:
Top Courses | Shiksha Popularity Rankings |
|---|---|
MS | #104 |
Physics | #41 |
Biology | #47 |
Computer Science Engineering | #68 |
Mathematics | #84 |
Electrical Engineering | #91 |
Biomedical Engineering | #114 |
University of California - Santa Cruz Campus Admission 2026
Students seeking admission to University of California - Santa Cruz Campus have to fill the online application form, submit mandatory documents and pay the application fee. University of California - Santa Cruz Campus accepts some exam scores at the time of admission, including English language exams. Some of the exam scores that Indian students have to submit for admission are IELTS and TOEFL. The documents that have to be submitted are SOP, LOR and CV.
- Application fees :USD 155
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
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 CruzUC Santa Cruz Scholarships
Acknowledging the academic achievements of the students, The University of California Santa Cruz provides Campus Merit Scholarships. The Regents Scholarship carries the highest honor award by providing $20,000 to new freshmen paid over 4 years. Additionally, priority enrollment and priority university housing placement are also provided. First year students are eligible for a 4-year or 12 quarter award duration. Students are expected to maintain a cumulative UCSC GPA of 2.0 to maintain The Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (FA SAP). UC SC offers its full-time undergraduate students 180 credit hours or 4 years. Submission of Financial aid application by the deadline is of highest importance since most of the scholarships have a financial need criterion. International students are offered the Dean’s Award scholarship. Other campus scholarships based on various committees outside of financial aid are also included.
Regents Scholarship at the University of California Santa Cruz-
- Regents Scholarship is provided to undergraduate students.
- Freshmen are given $20,000 (INR 1,670,490) paid over four years.
Dean’s Scholarship at the University of California Santa Cruz-
- International students are eligible for Dean’s Scholarship
- First-year students receive awards ranging from $12,000-$54,000 (INR 1,002,644- 4,511,899) paid evenly over the four years.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
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).
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.
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
15 monthsUC Santa CruzStudents Ratings & Reviews
1 Verified Review- 0% students never faced discrimination in this university
UC Santa Cruz Placements
The University of California Santa Cruz offers a great deal on placements to its students.The University of California Santa Cruz placement rate stands at 91%, this means out of 100 students, around 91 students secured employment. University of California Santa Cruz also provides a wide range of on-campus internships allowing the students to explore diverse fields of interest such as the Chancellor's Undergraduate Internship program, and Health Sciences Internship. The UC Santa Cruz placement highligts are listed below:
- Large amount of UCSC alumni work in top organizations such as Amazon, Google, Apple, Kaiser Permanente holding the position of an Educationist, Business Developer, Engineer, or Researcher.
- Some sectors in which the graduates of UCSC are employed are Education, Business Development, Engineering, Operations, Research, and others.
ROI After Education from UC Santa Cruz
According to unofficial sources, the average graduate salary of UC Santa Cruz graduate is USD 62,151 (INR 54.02 LPA) annually.
Top Employers
A few of the top employers at UC Santa Cruz are listed below:
- University of California, Santa Cruz
- Apple
- Amazon
- Meta
- Baskin Engineering at UCSC
- Stanford University
- Microsoft
- Cisco
- Amazon Web Services (AWS)
- NVIDIA
- Salesforce
- Adobe
- Tech4Good @ UCSC
Commonly asked questions On Placements
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.
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.
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
The Uni of California Santa Cruz tuition fee per year for UG international students for is approx. INR 1,344,527. The rough estimate of certain expenses that need to be taken into consideration when applying to the UCSC. Check the additional expenses mentioned below
| 2024-25 Cost | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | INR 1,675,160 |
| Study Material | INR 100,257 |
| Commute |
INR 87,662 |
| Personal Expenses | INR 191,950 |
| Campus Health Insurance | INR 308,330 |
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MS(2 courses) | INR 29 L - 45 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year-15 months Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 - 7.5, TOEFL: 83 - 100, PTE, Duolingo |
MBA/PGDM(1 course) | INR 29 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 1 year Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 83 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
B.E. / B.Tech(3 courses) | INR 39 L - 40 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
B.A.(1 course) | INR 40 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
B.Sc.(1 course) | INR 40 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE, Duolingo |
UC Santa CruzStudent profile
Others
46%
Hispanic
28%
Asian
23%
Black
1%
In state
90%
Out of state
6%
Foreign
2%
24 and under
95%
25 and over
4%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
UC Santa Cruz Notable Alumni
The University of California offers multiple well-known alumni who have done very well in various fields such as a renowned director, CEO of BuzzFeed, Actress and Comedian, and many more. Famous alumni of UCSC are Cary Joji Fukunaga, a famous American filmmaker who has acted greatly in movies such as No time to Die, Jane Eyre, and others. Another well-known alumnus is Bret Samuel.
| Notable Alumni | Profession | Picture |
|---|---|---|
| Andy Samberg | American Actor, Comedian, and Musician |
|
| Maya Rudolph | American Actress |
|
| Susan Wojcicki | Former CEO of YouTube |
|
| Rebecca Romijin | American Actress & Former Model |
|
| Avika Schaffer | American Actor, Filmmaker |
|
| Jonah Peretti | Co-Founder & CEO of Buzzfeed |
|
UC Santa Cruz Vs University of California, LA Vs Arizona State: Which is better?
The UCSC, UCLA, and Arizona State University are all top-ranking universities in the United States of America. UC Santa Cruz ranked #201-250 in the World University Ranking in 2024, whereas, the UCLA and ASU secured the rank #18 and #182 in World University Ranking in 2024 according to the top-ranking publishers. The overall grades of the University of California Santa Cruz, the University of California Los Angeles, and Arizona State University are mentioned below-
| University | Shiksha Study Abroad Grading |
|---|---|
| University of California Santa Cruz | A |
| University of California Los Angeles | A++ |
| Arizona State University | A |
Compare UC Santa Cruz with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 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 22.42 L - 29.9 L | -/- | |
| INR 19.61 L - 33.01 L | #500 US News, 2025 | |
| INR 74.67 L | -/- |
CompareUC Santa CruzStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
UC Santa Cruz Campus Life
The University of California Santa Cruz offers multiple opportunities to students to discover their passions, make friends, and make a difference in the world. UC Santa Cruz offers 10 residential colleges and over 150 organizations for students to get actively involved in along with multiple campus events. The University of California Santa Cruz presents the opportunity to its students to express themselves creatively by designing their own projects, become part of a community of creators, and enrich their lives through the diverse range of art, operas, and digital art. The university supports active participation of students in athletics that can be benefitting for the body, mind, and soul. The students can also enjoy theatre experience along with other events that the University organizes throughout the year.
Commonly asked questions On Others
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
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 5 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
S
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 8 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
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 8 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
I
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 8 months ago
The University of California Santa Cruz is one of the most prominent universities in USA. UC Santa Cruz offers a variety of programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels for its international students. The university graduates are highly skilled in Strategic Planning, Strategy, Change Management
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered a year ago
In order to secure an enrollment, overseas applicants must fulfill the University of California Santa Cruz admission requirements listed below:
1) Undergraduate Requirements:
- High school or secondary school certificate;
- Proof of English language proficiency; and
- Other course-specific requirements.
Note:
Contributor-Level 10
About the author
Study Abroad Expert
UC Santa Cruz
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Baskin Engineering
UC Santa CruzLocation
| University City | Santa Cruz, California, USA |
UC Santa CruzContact Information
UC SANTA CRUZ,
1156 HIGH STREET,
SANTA CRUZ, CA 95064
Santa Cruz ( California)
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