Be a part of the world’s most celebrated system of public higher education: The University of California system. It includes some leading universities for higher education in USA. UC Santa Cruz or University of California Santa Cruz is one of them. University of California Santa Cruz is a public university in USA, and was established in the year 1965. Candidates can pick any of the fall, spring, summer intakes in USA to get into University of California Santa Cruz. The satellite image of the campus is like the below

The popular programs offered in the university are M.S. in Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology, B.A. in Economics, and M.S. in Applied Economics & Finance. The University of California Santa Cruz QS ranking is #332 in 2024. For UC Santa Cruz admissions to undergraduate programs, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is on a 4.0 scale is all you need. The IELTS requirement for undergraduate program is 7.0. You can also choose to submit TOEFL, PTE scores instead of IELTS. The average annual University of California Santa Cruz fees for international students range from USD 42,743 (INR 35,59,051) to USD 57,940 (INR 48,24,449).

The average annual salary of University of California Santa Cruz graduate is USD 86,000 (INR 71,56,821) per year. Thinking about the recruiters? Let us tell you, besides receiving high salary, University of California system graduates get to work at renowned global companies. Amazon, Lockheed Martin, VISA, Salesforce.com, Kaiser Permanente, Google are the big giants that hire UC Santa Cruz graduates. You can also be a part of it. Apply for a required US student visa, and take the first leap today.
- Why to Choose UoC Santa Cruz?
- Rankings
- Acceptance Rate
- Courses and Fees
- Application Deadline
- Admissions
6.1 Documents Required - Admission Requirements
7.1 Score Requirements
7.2 ELP Requirements - Cost of Attendance
8.1 Extracurricular Activities - Scholarships
- Job Outcomes
- Notable Alumni
- Comparison Table
- FAQs
Why to Choose University of California Santa Cruz
There are several benefits of studying in USA including seamless credit transfers, scholarships, part-time jobs and others. You can also consider the below reasons while choosing University of California Santa Cruz:
- High average annual salary of 74,000 (INR 61,61,706).
- Students can get opportunities of part-time jobs in USA with an hourly wage rate of USD 7.25 (INR 603.7).
- Scholarships such as Study California offer an award of USD 1,000 (INR 83,266).
- Internship opportunities via Chancellor's Undergraduate Internship Program
University of California Santa Cruz Rankings
University of California Santa Cruz is one of the top universities in USA. The University of California Santa Cruz ranking in various reports is given below:
- #332 QS World University ranking 2024
- #82 in National Universities ranking of US News & World Report, 2024
- #40 in Top Public Schools ranking of US News & World Report, 2024
- #201–250th in Times Higher Education World University Rankings, 2024
University of California Santa Cruz Acceptance Rate
University of California Santa Cruz acceptance rate is 47%. The admission rate for freshmen is 62.8%. University of California Santa Cruz admission statistics for Fall intakes in USA is given below:
- High school Mean GPA for freshman: 4.01
- Percentage of freshman with 4 or higher GPA in high school: 63.4%
- Percentage of freshman with GPA in the range of 3.5-3.99 in high school: 31.7%
- Percentage of freshman with GPA below 3.5 in high school: 5%
- Male female student ratio: 50:50
The ethnic diversity of UC Santa Cruz students are as follows

University of California Santa Cruz Courses and Fees
Popular University of California Santa Cruz graduate programs are Masters in Computer and Information Sciences, Political Science, Economics, Psychology, and Sociology. This university offers 73 undergraduate majors and 66 graduate programs. University of California Santa Cruz courses and fees for BS and MS in USA are tabulated below:
| University of California Santa Cruz Courses | University of California Santa Cruz Fees for International Students |
| M.S. in Applied Economics and Finance | USD 42,743 (INR 35,59,051) |
| M.S. in Games and Playable Media | USD 42,734.10 (INR 35,58,310) |
| M.S. in Human-Computer Interaction | USD 57,940 (INR 48,24,449) |
| M.S. in Natural Language Processing | USD 54,454 (INR 45,34,183) |
| M.A. in Education | USD 39,353.80 (INR 32,76,845) |
| B.S. in Computer Science | USD 51,034 (INR 42,49,412) |
| B.A. in Psychology | USD 51,034 (INR 42,49,412) |
| B.S. in Cognitive Science | USD 51,034 (INR 42,49,412) |
| B.A. in Economics | USD 51,034 (INR 42,49,412) |
| B.A. in Global Economics | USD 51,034 (INR 42,49,412) |
Note: USD 1 = INR 83.23, as of April 9, 2024
University of California Santa Cruz Application Deadline
University of California Santa Cruz application deadline for undergraduates for Fall 2024 intake has already closed. The University of California Santa Cruz graduate programs application deadline are given below. It is beneficial to check the application deadlines of top universities in USA to maximize the admission chances.
| Courses | University of California Santa Cruz Application Deadline |
| M.S. in Applied Mathematics | Closed |
| M.S. in Applied Economics & Finance | April 15 2024 |
| M.S. in Human Computer Interaction | Closed |
| M.S. in Natural Language Processing | Closed |
| M.A. in Education | Closed |
| M.S. in Molecular, Cell & Developmental Biology | April 1 2024 |
| M.S. in Biomolecular Engineering & Bioinformatics | Closed |
| UG Courses Fall intake | Closed |
University of California Santa Cruz Admissions
Candidate should pay the application fee before University of California Santa Cruz deadline. The application fee for one year courses in USA and other courses at University of California Santa Cruz are given below:
- University of California Santa Cruz application fee for UG courses: USD 95 (INR 7,910)
- University of California Santa Cruz masters program application fee: USD 155.00 (INR 12,906)
Note: USD 1 = INR 83.23, as of April 9, 2024
Documents Required for University of California Santa Cruz Admissions
An SOP for USA is one of the most important document for admissions. The documents required for University of California Santa Cruz admissions are as follows:
- Online application
- LOR for USA
- CV
- Academic transcripts
- SOP for USA
- ELP test score: IELTS score or other ELP exam score
University of California Santa Cruz Admission Requirements
The exams to study in USA to secure admissions at University of California Santa Cruz are IELTS, SAT, TOEFL, ACT, DET, and others. University of California Santa Cruz admissions requirements are as follows.
University of California Santa Cruz Score Requirements
University of California Santa Cruz GRE requirements need to be fulfilled by Economics Ph.D. and Masters in Mathematics students. University of California Santa Cruz SAT requirements are tabulated below:
| Exams | Minimum Required Scores |
| ACT | 24 or higher |
| SAT (March 2016 or after) Writing & Language Test | 31 or higher |
| SAT (prior to March 2016) Writing Exam | 560 or higher |
University of California Santa Cruz ELP Requirements
University of California Santa Cruz, one of the Duolingo accepted universities in USA, accepts DET for undergraduate admissions and not for postgraduate admissions. University of California Santa Cruz IELTS requirement for master program is 7.
University of California Santa Cruz Cost of Attendance
Candidate should be aware of cost of living in USA to calculate the correct budget. As we all have different lifestyle and spending habits, it is very tough to calculate the exact yearly costs withouot the tuition fees. So, what about an estimated graph of expenses? We have added the graph below only for your reference. It will certainly help you to plan your budget. One more thing, rents, meals, utilities, travel, personal expenses all are included in it. Feel free to use it as your one-stop reference. Rent is the biggest expense in your annual cost of living.

Note: USD 1 = INR 83.23, as of April 9, 2024
University of California Santa Cruz Extracurricular Activities
University of California Santa Cruz is one of public universities in USA. There are so many clubs which are promoting outside visits, sports and cultural programs among the students. The student-registered organization focuses on the following areas:
- Academic
- Media-Print
- Professional
- Greek Letter
- Religious & Spiritual
- Cultural & Identity
- General Interest
- Political & Advocacy
- Environmental & Sustainability
- Service
University of California Santa Cruz Scholarships
Students can apply for University of California Santa Cruz financial aid for international students. University of California Santa Cruz scholarships to study in USA along with eligibility criteria and award amount are given below:
| Scholarship Name | Eligibility Criteria | Award Amount |
| Campus Merit Scholarships | Outstanding academic achievement | USD 2,000 (INR 1,66,532) |
| Study California | International students, Pursuing course at California member institution |
USD 1,000 (INR 83,266) |
| Global Citizen Scholarship and Women in STEM | International women candidate, Pursuing STEM course in USA at University of California Santa Cruz |
USD 1,000 (INR 83,266) to USD 6,000 (INR 4,99,597) |
| Sara Matthews Scholarship | F-1 visa or J-1 visa holder, GPA of 3.5 or higher |
USD 1,000 (INR 83,266) to USD 5,000 (INR 4,16,331) |
Note: USD 1 = INR 83.23, as of April 9, 2024
University of California Santa Cruz Job Outcomes
Candidate should check University of California Santa Cruz job outcomes before applying for admissions. University of California Santa Cruz gets high paying jobs in USA and graduates' average annual salary is USD 74,000 (INR 61,61,706). University of California Santa Cruz degrees holder perform various job roles.
| Job Role | Average Annual Salary |
| Software Engineer | USD 1,02,866 (INR 85,65,271) |
| Data Scientist | USD 1,26,413 (INR 1,05,25,942) |
| Operations Manager | USD 77,748 (INR 64,73,788) |
| Senior Software Engineer | USD 1,41,000 (INR 1,17,40,548) |
| Project Manager, (Unspecified Type / General) | USD 78,344 (INR 65,23,415) |
| Executive Assistant | USD 86,291(INR 71,85,132) |
| Electrical Engineer | USD 88,437 (INR 73,63,821) |
Note: USD 1 = INR 83.23, as of April 9, 2024
This university also helps to enhance your professional career during studies. Some popular internship programs mentioned below are offered by University of California Santa Cruz:
- Chancellor's Undergraduate Internship Program (CUIP) - recruitment in Winter quarters
- GANAS Career Internship Program - recruitment in Spring and Summer quarters
- UC Center Sacramento program (UCCS) - recruitment quarterly
- Career Development Opportunity Fund - recruitment quarterly
University of California Santa Cruz Notable Alumni
University of California Santa Cruz notable alumni along with their profession are tabulated below:
| University of California Santa Cruz Notable Alumni | Profession |
| Ken Alex | Senior policy advisor |
| John Laird | Secretary of the California Resources Agency |
| Charles Harder | Lawyer |
| Peter Bratt | Screenwriter and Filmmaker |
| Azadeh Moaveni | Author |
| Dana Priest | Journalist, writer, and teacher |
| Lincoln Mitchell | Writer |
| Julie Snyder | Senior producer of This American Life |
| George Robert Perkovich | Former speechwriter |
| Kelvin D. Filer | Judge |
University of California Santa Cruz Vs UC Los Angeles Vs UC San Diego Vs UC Berkeley
Comparing universities is a good practice as it opens up new doors. UC Santa Cruz can be compared with its fellow universities for obvious reasons. The comparison between University of California Santa Cruz, University of California Los Angeles and other top universities are detailed below. Consider all the parameters and choose the best university for your study in USA journey.
| Parameter | University of California Santa Cruz | University of California Los Angeles | University of California San Diego | University of California Berkeley |
| Ranking | #82 in US News & World Report National Universities | #15 in US News & World Report National Universities | #20 in US News & World Report National Universities | #15 in US News & World Report National Universities |
| Acceptance Rate | 47% | 9% | 24% | 11% |
| Tuition | USD 42,743 to USD 57,940 | USD 13,225 to USD 31,949 | USD 32,574 | USD 15,102 to USD 32,574 |
| Score | IELTS: 6.5-7 TOEFL: 80-89 DET: 115 |
IELTS: 7 TOEFL: 87 |
IELTS: 7 TOEFL: 85 PTE: 65 |
IELTS: 7 TOEFL: 90 |
| Average Annual Salary | USD 86,000 | USD 88,000 | USD 88,000 | USD 96,000 |
| Top Recruiters | Amazon, Google, Lockheed Martin | Facebook, Intel Corporation, McKinsey & Company, Deloitte | Apple, Intel, Nordson | Facebook, Microsoft, Adobe, Nike, McKinsey & Company |
Note: USD 1 = INR 83.23, as of April 9, 2024
University of California Santa Cruz is providing the best quality education and helping students to learn better by providing notable Scholarship and internship programs. Candidates can apply for University of California Santa Cruz financial aid for international students.
FAQs
Ques: What are the admission requirements for UC Santa Cruz?
Ans: Admission requirements vary depending on the program you're applying to. Generally, they include high school GPA, standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), ELP scores, completion of required high school courses, and extracurricular activities. It's essential to check the specific requirements for your desired program.
Ques: How is the campus life at UC Santa Cruz?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz offers a vibrant campus life with various clubs, organizations, and events catering to diverse interests. The campus is known for its supportive and inclusive community, beautiful natural surroundings, and numerous recreational opportunities.
Ques: What majors and programs are offered at UC Santa Cruz?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and more. Some popular majors include computer science, psychology, biology, and environmental studies.
Ques: Is housing guaranteed for freshmen at UC Santa Cruz?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz guarantees housing for all incoming freshmen who submit their housing application by the deadline. There are various housing options available, including residence halls and apartments, to accommodate students' preferences and needs.
Ques: What financial aid options are available at UC Santa Cruz?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz offers various financial aid options, including scholarships, grants, work-study programs, and loans, to help students cover their tuition and other expenses. Students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their eligibility for financial aid.
Ques: How is the transportation system on campus?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz provides a comprehensive transportation system, including shuttles, bike paths, and pedestrian-friendly pathways, to help students navigate the campus easily. Additionally, students can use public transportation options to explore the surrounding area.
Ques: What research opportunities are available for undergraduates?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz offers numerous research opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in hands-on research projects with faculty members across various disciplines. Students can participate in research through internships, fellowships, independent studies, and research assistantships.
Ques: What resources are available for students with disabilities?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz is committed to providing equal access and support for students with disabilities. The Disability Resource Center offers various services and accommodations, including academic accommodations, assistive technology, note-taking assistance, and alternative testing arrangements.
Ques: Are there study abroad programs available at UC Santa Cruz?
Ans: Yes, UC Santa Cruz offers study abroad programs through the UC Education Abroad Program (UCEAP) and other partner institutions. Students can choose from a wide range of programs in different countries and immerse themselves in diverse cultures while earning academic credit.
Ques: What career services are available for students?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz provides comprehensive career services to help students explore career options, develop job search strategies, and connect with employers. Services include career counseling, resume and cover letter assistance, mock interviews, job and internship fairs, and networking events.
Ques: How diverse is the student body at UC Santa Cruz?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz prides itself on its diverse student body, representing various backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive campus community where all students feel welcome and supported.
Ques: What is the academic advising system like at UC Santa Cruz?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz offers academic advising services to help students navigate their academic journey, including course selection, degree requirements, academic planning, and career exploration. Students are assigned to academic advisors within their respective colleges or departments.
Ques: Are there opportunities for students to get involved in community service?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz offers numerous opportunities for students to engage in community service and civic engagement through volunteering, service-learning courses, and community-based projects. The university partners with local organizations to provide meaningful service opportunities for students.
Ques: How safe is the campus and surrounding area?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz is committed to providing a safe and secure campus environment for all students, faculty, and staff. The university has a dedicated campus police department, emergency response protocols, and safety resources to ensure the well-being of the campus community.
Ques: What recreational facilities are available for students?
Ans: UC Santa Cruz offers a variety of recreational facilities and activities for students to stay active and healthy, including fitness centers, outdoor recreation programs, intramural sports, and hiking trails in the nearby redwood forests. Additionally, the campus is located near the beach, providing opportunities for swimming, surfing, and other water activities.















