Colleges in Santa Cruz, California
2 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 2 colleges and universities in Santa Cruz, California (1 Public, 1 Private for-profit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 2 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $17,890 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 75.1%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 66% of applicants.
The median net price in Santa Cruz runs about $2,821 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in Santa Cruz, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$17,890
After aid
Median grad rate
75.1%
6-year
Median admission rate
66%
Median enrollment
17,940
Undergrad
All colleges in Santa Cruz
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA | CA | Public, 4-year | $17,890 | 75.1% | 66% | 17,940 | Complete | |
| Five Branches University Santa Cruz, CA | CA | Private for-profit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Public (1)
Public colleges in Santa Cruz are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of California-Santa CruzNet price: $17,890Grad: 75.1%
Private for-profit (1)
Private for-profit colleges in Santa Cruz operate as businesses, generally focused on career-oriented and online programs with rolling admissions.
- Five Branches UniversityNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Top programs in Santa Cruz
Most-completed programs across Santa Cruz colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Computer science16.3% of degrees
- Biological sciences14.9% of degrees
- Social sciences10.2% of degrees
- Visual & performing arts10.1% of degrees
- Psychology9.6% of degrees
- Business6.5% of degrees
- Physical sciences4.8% of degrees
- Engineering4.4% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in Santa Cruz
Q.How many colleges are in Santa Cruz, California?
There are 2 colleges and universities in Santa Cruz, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 1 Public, 1 Private for-profit.
Q.What is the largest college in Santa Cruz?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of California-Santa Cruz is the largest institution in Santa Cruz with roughly 17,940 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in Santa Cruz?
Based on average net price after aid, University of California-Santa Cruz is the most affordable institution in Santa Cruz at $17,890 per year.
Q.Which Santa Cruz college has the highest graduation rate?
University of California-Santa Cruz reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among Santa Cruz institutions at 75.1%.
Q.What is the average tuition in Santa Cruz?
The median net price across all 2 colleges in Santa Cruz is $17,890 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in Santa Cruz?
Across Santa Cruz colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Computer science, Biological sciences, Social sciences.
Q.Are there community colleges in Santa Cruz?
Yes — Santa Cruz includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in Santa Cruz that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.