University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, California · Public · 65.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 85/100 · Strong Value
University of California-Santa Cruz
Strong ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $16,005/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $50,205/yr |
| Average net price | $17,890/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $71,560 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $68,396 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $38,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $16,666 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $177 |
| Estimated payback period | 6.3 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 75.1% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 17,940 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,717 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,613 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,418 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,986 |
| $110,001+ | $33,323 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of California-Santa Cruz with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $123,422 | A |
| Psychology | $59,948 | C |
| Business Information Systems | $82,064 | B+ |
| Biology | $65,036 | C |
| Sociology | $55,338 | C |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | $69,849 | B |
| Linguistic and Comparative Language Studies | $49,763 | D |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $45,815 | C |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $55,240 | C |
| Economics | $76,382 | B |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of California-Santa Cruz is $16,005/year ($50,205/year out-of-state). But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $17,890/year, or roughly $71,560 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $8,717/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $33,323/year.
The median graduate leaves with $16,666 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $177 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $68,396 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.43 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 74.9% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 79.3% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 76.4% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 80.8% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 65.8% |
| Enrollment | 17,940 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 31.6% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $17,994 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Cruz (this school) | 85 | $17,890 | $68,396 |
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | 96 | $16,665 | $90,768 |
| University of Delaware | 86 | $17,799 | $72,950 |
| The University of Texas at Dallas | 84 | $18,267 | $68,227 |
| James Madison University | 84 | $23,322 | $69,954 |
| California State University-Bakersfield | 75 | $5,652 | $59,009 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of California-Santa Cruz delivers above-average financial returns for its graduates. At a net cost of $17,890 per year ($71,560 over four years), graduates earn a median of $68,396 ten years after enrollment. That puts the payback period at roughly 6.3 years - a solid return on the investment.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 75.1% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings.
Median debt of $16,666 is very manageable against $68,396 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.