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46.9%Acceptance
$14,560Tuition
17,812Students
75%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$68,396Earnings
#19 in CaliforniaPublic4-yearSAT/ACT Test BlindResearch UniversityNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

Cost Details

In-State Tuition
$14,560
Out-of-State Tuition
$45,337
Average Net Price
$16,607
Students Receiving Financial Aid
31.8%
Room & Board (On Campus)
$18,785
Room & Board (Off Campus)
$16,697
Books & Supplies
$1,315
Total Cost of Attendance
$34,660
Median Debt at Graduation
$16,666
Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
$177/mo
Loan Repayment Rate
75.0%
Students Taking Federal Loans
29.4%
Pell Grant Recipients
31.8%

Net Price by Family Income

Average annual net price after grants and scholarships. Source: U.S. Department of Education

Net price by family income bracket
Family Income Average Net Price
$0 – $30,000 $9,472
$30,001 – $48,000 $10,114
$48,001 – $75,000 $13,001
$75,001 – $110,000 $18,786
$110,001+ $32,674

Cost Estimator

Family Income
Residency
Housing

Cost Overview

Most UC Santa Cruz families pay $16,607 per year after aid, though costs vary dramatically by income. Families earning under $30,000 pay just $9,472 annually, while those making over $110,000 face $32,674. Over four years, that's roughly $38,000 to $131,000 depending on family finances.

The school keeps debt manageable for a UC campus. Graduates leave with a median debt of $16,666, translating to monthly payments of $177. That's reasonable against median earnings of $68,396 ten years out. About 30% of students take federal loans, lower than many schools.

Students from lower-income families get the best deal here. Nearly one-third receive Pell Grants, and the net price drops to under $10,000 for families earning less than $48,000. California residents also benefit from keeping 94% of seats for in-state students.

Official Net Price Calculator

Get a personalized cost estimate from University of California-Santa Cruz:

Visit Official Net Price Calculator

This links to the school's federally-required net price calculator for a personalized estimate.