University of California, Santa Cruz SAT Scores, ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate, and Admissions Requirements
UC Santa Cruz’s 65.6% admit rate is encouraging, but the 3.92 average GPA shows admitted students are still academically strong. Because UC Santa Cruz is test-free, your SAT or ACT score will not be considered here, so prioritize course rigor, grades, and UC application responses.
⬡ LangSmith9905f3f2-6401-4bb9-a0af-9bebef16262eData on this page is sourced from our college data partners and was last updated on July 9, 2026.
University of California, Santa Cruz facts and stats
University of California, Santa Cruz enrolls about 17,940 undergraduates in a small-town campus setting. UC Santa Cruz has an 88% freshman retention rate, above the national average of roughly 70%, and a 75% six-year graduation rate. The student-to-faculty ratio is 22:1. UC Santa Cruz uses a test-free admissions policy.
⬡ LangSmithd2fbbf0b-63bb-4b49-a8ee-cb29316c4b23Santa Cruz, CA
How does your GPA compare at UC Santa Cruz?
Key University of California, Santa Cruz application dates
Key dates
Regular Decision
November 30
Early Action
Not offered
Early Decision
Not offered
Priority Deadline
—
Coming soon
Test dates
August 22, 2026
Registration deadline: August 7, 2026
September 12, 2026
Registration deadline: August 28, 2026
October 3, 2026
Registration deadline: September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Registration deadline: August 14, 2026
October 17, 2026
Registration deadline: September 11, 2026
December 12, 2026
Registration deadline: November 6, 2026
UC Santa Cruz is test-free, so SAT or ACT scores are not used for admission, including the November 30 regular deadline. Plan retakes or superscoring only if other colleges on your list consider scores.
⬡ LangSmith23c9f626-f11b-434b-9196-b882a44fb920Want to improve your scores and unlock scholarships at University of California, Santa Cruz?
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What you'll actually pay
UC Santa Cruz is a public university with in-state tuition of $13,146 and out-of-state tuition of $47,346. Students can also review need-based aid and scholarship options, with an average merit award of $7,383.
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Out-of-state tuition at UC Santa Cruz is $47,346, compared with $13,146 for in-state students, and room and board is $19,950. The average merit award is $7,383, which can help reduce costs but will not cover most expenses. Graduates leave with average debt of $19,620.
⬡ LangSmith23f4c356-0029-4f37-9cf8-740fb3918e7dStudent life at University of California, Santa Cruz
49% of undergrads live on campus
Fraternities and sororities are active on campus. 5% of men join fraternities, and 6% of women join sororities.
Similar schools
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CAAcceptance rate: 76.8%
University of California, Davis
Davis, CAAcceptance rate: 41.8%
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CAAcceptance rate: 33%
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CAAcceptance rate: 9%
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