University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC)

Overview

The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) is a vibrant campus located in a beautiful area surrounded by redwood forests. Established in 1965, UCSC has a sprawling campus that covers 2,000 acres. The university is home to over 19,000 students, including more than 17,000 undergraduates and around 2,000 graduate students. UCSC is ranked between #201-250 in the 2024 World University Rankings. The university has an overall grade of A according to GyanDhan grading. Notable alumni include actor Andy Samberg, former YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, and BuzzFeed co-founder Jonah Peretti, along with many Pulitzer Prize winners and MacArthur 'genius' awardees.

UCSC is known for its unique educational approach, offering a variety of programs and majors. Students can choose from 73 undergraduate majors and 66 graduate programs. The acceptance rate is around 46%, making admissions moderately competitive. Some popular fields of study include computer science, psychology, business, molecular biology, and sociology. International applicants are generally expected to have a GPA of 3.0 for admission.

The university provides excellent career opportunities for its graduates. Many UCSC alumni work for top companies such as Google, Amazon, and Kaiser Permanente. Graduates in tech roles earn an average salary of about $136,978 per year. The demographic breakdown of students shows that 90% are from California, 6% from other states, and 2% are international students.

UCSC boasts a lively campus life with 10 residential colleges and over 150 student organizations. This allows students to engage in various activities and events, promoting a sense of community. Students can explore their interests in arts, athletics, and cultural events throughout the year. The university encourages creativity and self-expression through numerous projects and initiatives.

For those interested in applying, the admissions for international students will open on November 1, 2025, with a submission deadline of November 30, 2025. The application process requires careful preparation, as UCSC only accepts one application per year from each candidate. No SAT or ACT scores are needed for admissions or scholarships. The application fee is USD 155.

UCSC offers a wide range of programs, including undergraduate and postgraduate courses. The university is committed to providing a supportive environment for students to thrive academically and personally. With a focus on innovation and excellence, UCSC continues to be a leading institution in higher education.

About UC Santa Cruz

History of UC Santa Cruz

The University of California Santa Cruz was founded in 1965 and is often called "the most important educational experiment in the history of the University of California," according to former UC President Clark Kerr. The campus is known for its beautiful setting in a redwood forest. It covers 2,000 acres and is located 75 miles south of San Francisco, on the Ben Lomond Mountain ridge in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The university was created to show new and creative teaching methods, offer cross-disciplinary undergraduate education, and feature modern architecture. UC Santa Cruz is a public research university that also has other locations in Santa Cruz, including the Coastal Science Campus, the Westside Research Park, and the Silicon Valley Center. The Silicon Valley Campus is a center for research and teaching related to the Technology and Engineering fields.

Here are some key points about the University of California Santa Cruz:

UC Santa Cruz Admissions 2025

Application Deadlines 2025

The deadline for international students to apply for the Fall semester at the University of California Santa Cruz in 2025 is November 30, 2025. Applications for undergraduate students will start on November 1, 2025.

Admission Requirements for International Students

Students must have completed their X and XII grades with the State Board or CBSE exams, achieving an average of over 70 marks.

While filling out the application, students need to provide their full academic history.

Students should have their transcripts ready to ensure they enter the correct information.

A letter of recommendation may be requested later in the application process.

Students must submit their English Language Proficiency Test scores.

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate for international students at UCSC is about 46%, making the admissions process somewhat selective and competitive.

Application Fee

The application fee for international students applying to UCSC is USD 95 (INR 7,976). This fee is non-refundable.

Eligibility

Below are the minimum scores required for the English Language Proficiency Test:

UC Santa Cruz Fees

The tuition fee for international undergraduate students at the University of California Santa Cruz for the 2024-25 academic year is about USD 16,014 (INR 1,344,527). Besides the tuition, students should also think about other costs such as living expenses, books, course materials, supplies, equipment, transportation, campus health insurance, and other small expenses. Below is a rough estimate of some of these additional costs that students should consider when applying to the University of California Santa Cruz, apart from the tuition fee.

UC Santa Cruz Rankings

The University of California Santa Cruz is ranked between #201-250 for 2024 by top ranking sources. Last year, UCSC was ranked #192. The GyanDhan Study Abroad grading system has given the university an overall grade of A. Some courses at the University of California Santa Cruz have also received grades from the GyanDhan Study Abroad Grading system. You can find the list below.

UCSC College comparison

UC Santa Cruz Notable Alumni

The University of California has many famous alumni who have done well in different areas, including a well-known director, the CEO of BuzzFeed, an actress and comedian, and more. One of the notable alumni from UCSC is Cary Joji Fukunaga, an American filmmaker known for great films like No Time to Die and Jane Eyre. Another notable graduate is Bret Samuel. Below is a list of other well-known alumni from the University of California Santa Cruz.

UC Santa Cruz Vs University of California, LA Vs Arizona State

The University of California Santa Cruz, the University of California Los Angeles, and Arizona State University are among the best universities in the United States. In the 2024 World University Ranking, UC Santa Cruz is ranked #201-250, while UCLA is ranked #18 and Arizona State University is at #182. These rankings come from top publishers worldwide. GyanDhan Study Abroad has also given grades to these universities based on their overall performance. Below are the overall grades for the University of California Santa Cruz, UCLA, and Arizona State University:

UCSC Location