Information is exploratory. For accurate information, refer to the official website of the school.
About UCSC
University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) — public non-profit university. It is located in California, United States. The higher education institution is considered one of the youngest in the country, as it was founded in 1965. UCSC is a part of University of California System, Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU), Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). Sport affiliations and memberships: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
It is one of the best institutions in the world. In QS World University Rankings 2025, it is among top-390. UCSC is one of the best universities in the United States. This is one of the best universities in the world. Judged by 13 aspects of Times Higher Education World University Ranking (THE), it conquered 196 place among top institutions.
UCSC does research in different fields of study and invites students to bachelor and master programs.
- Location
- California, United States
- Establishment year
- 1965
- Students
- 19,478
- International students
- 1,840
- Female students
- 48%
- Acceptance rate
- 47%
Place in ratings
By subject
Subject | Place in QS 2024 |
---|---|
Natural Sciences | 218 |
Arts & Humanities | 268 |
Life Sciences & Medicine | 451-500 |

UCSC tuition fees
The academic year at UCSC is divided into quarters. However, tuition fees are calculated per year. Tuition fees at UCSC for local citizens starts from 14,174 USD per year. For international students, the cost of study differs — from 15,098 USD. Thanks to financial support programs, students have the opportunity to fully or partially cover the cost of education. Check the university website for up-to-date information on prices and scholarships.
- Academic calendar
- Quarters
- Financial Aid
- Yes
- Bachelor
- Local14,236USD/year
- Foreign31,018USD/year
- Master
- Local14,174USD/year
- Foreign15,098USD/year
Additional costs
In addition to the cost of education, it is necessary to pay attention to additional costs: accommodation, transportation, study materials, meals and personal expenses.
- Room and board
- on campus18,185USD/year
- off campus15,653USD/year
- Other expenses
- on campus5,083USD/year
- off campus5,643USD/year
Study programs at UCSC
Education & Training
Education
- Study degree
- BA
- Study form
- Full-time
Education, Democracy, and Justice (EDJ)
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Mathematics Education
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Psychology
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Science Education
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Law
Legal Studies
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Engineering & Technology
Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Electrical Engineering
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Network and Digital Technology
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Robotics Engineering
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Economics & Business Management
Business Management Economics
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Economics
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Film and Digital Media
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Global Economics
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Mathematics
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
History, Philosophy & Theology
Art: Studio
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
History
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
History of Art and Visual Culture
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Jewish Studies
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Music
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Medicine
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Biology
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Biotechnology
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Chemistry
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Arts & Humanities
Art
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Art Studio
- Study degree
- BA
- Study form
- Full-time
Art and Design - Games and Playable Media
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Art: Electronic and Digital Media
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Art: Intermedia
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Computer Science & IT
Art and Design - Games and Playable Media
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Computer Engineering
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Computer Science
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Computer Science: Computer Game Design
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Environmental Studies - Geographic Information Systems Concentration
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Languages, Literature & Linguistics
Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Classical Studies
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Cognitive Science
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Italian Studies
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Language Studies
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Applied Physics
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Biology
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Humanities
Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Classical Studies
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Cognitive Science
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
History
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Jewish Studies
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Social Sciences & Management
Anthropology
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Art: Electronic and Digital Media
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Art: Intermedia
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Business Management Economics
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Cognitive Science
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Physical Sciences
Agroecology
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Applied Mathematics
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Applied Physics
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Earth Sciences
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Ecology and Evolution
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
Agroecology
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Earth Sciences
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Ecology and Evolution
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Environmental Sciences
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Environmental Studies - Conservation Science and Policy Concentration
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Agriculture & Forestry
Agroecology
- Study degree
- BA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Marine Biology
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Plant Sciences
- Study degree
- BSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Agriculture & Forestry
Ocean Sciences
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Education & Training
Education
- Study degree
- MA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Languages, Literature & Linguistics
Linguistics
- Study degree
- MA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Literature
- Study degree
- MA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Natural Language Processing
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Computer Science & IT
Computational Media
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Computer Science and Engineering
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Digital Arts and New Media
- Study degree
- MFA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Games and Playable Media
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Journalism & Media
Digital Arts and New Media
- Study degree
- MFA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Science Communication
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Medicine
Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Chemistry
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences
Coastal Science and Policy
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Earth Sciences
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
History, Philosophy & Theology
Art - Environmental Art and Social Practice
- Study degree
- MFA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Philosophy
- Study degree
- MA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Engineering & Technology
Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Coastal Science and Policy
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Physics
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Arts & Humanities
Art - Environmental Art and Social Practice
- Study degree
- MFA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Computational Media
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Digital Arts and New Media
- Study degree
- MFA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Music
- Study degree
- MA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Science Communication
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Humanities
Art - Environmental Art and Social Practice
- Study degree
- MFA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Linguistics
- Study degree
- MA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Literature
- Study degree
- MA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Natural Language Processing
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Philosophy
- Study degree
- MA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Physical Sciences
Applied Mathematics
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Coastal Science and Policy
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Earth Sciences
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Mathematics
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Natural Sciences & Mathematics
Applied Mathematics
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Biomolecular Engineering and Bioinformatics
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Chemistry
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Earth Sciences
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Accounting & Finance
Applied Economics and Finance
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Economics & Business Management
Applied Economics and Finance
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Applied Mathematics
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Science Communication
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Social Sciences & Management
Applied Economics and Finance
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Coastal Science and Policy
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Digital Arts and New Media
- Study degree
- MFA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Science Communication
- Study degree
- MSc
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Social Documentation
- Study degree
- MFA
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time
Other
Computer Engineering
- Study mode
- On campus
- Study form
- Full-time

Bachelor degree at UCSC
Enrollment in bachelor's programs is based on the results of entrance examinations. However, your GPA score must also be at least 3. Read how to calculate it in this article. Before submitting documents to the university, applicants take an English language exam. The university accepts the results of IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum TOEFL score is 80. The IELTS score is not lower than 6.5.
- GPA
- 3
- IELTS
- 6.5
- TOEFL iBT
- 80
- TOEFL PBT
- 550
Master's degree at UCSC
The admission committee of the university takes into account the previous academic performance of the student. To confirm your level of English, you must pass IELTS or TOEFL. The minimum TOEFL score for admission is 83. IELTS — 7 or higher.
- IELTS
- 7
- TOEFL iBT
- 83
- TOEFL PBT
- 550
UCSC campus
The suburban campus of UCSC combines features of an urban and rural campus. It is located outside the big city, which allows you to focus on your studies. However, it is also not too far, opening up access to more types of recreation, both outdoors and in the city (theaters, museums, restaurants). The educational institution has its own library. Here, students do their homework or just have a good time reading an interesting book. Foreigners who come to UCSC through exchange programs study and live with local students. Thus, the university promotes intercultural exchange and the establishment of interethnic relations.
- Campus Type
- Suburban
- Library
- Yes

What to do after graduation
After graduation, students are allowed to stay in United States for a year. During this time, graduates can find a job and change their student visa to a work one. Look for more immigration options in our article.
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