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Looking for a university with high-quality education and affordable prices? Learn more about UCSC.
Free consultation Are you a representative of this institution?Information is exploratory. For accurate information, refer to the official website of the school.
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.
| Subject | Place in QS 2024 |
|---|---|
| Natural Sciences | 218 |
| Arts & Humanities | 268 |
| Life Sciences & Medicine | 451-500 |

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.
In addition to the cost of education, it is necessary to pay attention to additional costs: accommodation, transportation, study materials, meals and personal expenses.

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.
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.
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.

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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