2026 Rankings for University of California-Santa Cruz

What kind of rankings and accolades has UC Santa Cruz been awarded? All of the ranking badges and placements UC Santa Cruz has received are listed below.

UC Santa Cruz earned 143 ranking badges in the 2026 rankings.

Top Rankings for UC Santa Cruz:



#1 out of 15	#2 out of 7	#2 out of 8	#2 out of 7

UC Santa Cruz also offers graduate programs. Explore its [graduate-school rankings](/graduate-schools/university-of-california-santa-cruz/rankings/) for its graduate rankings.

How UC Santa Cruz Ranks in College Factual’s Best Quality Rankings

#144 Best Colleges

#3 Best Ecology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California

#3 Best Ecology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region

Top Placement in Best Colleges Ranking

#144 out of 3,449.

This makes UC Santa Cruz a top 5% school for students.

The Best Colleges Ranking highlights the highest-quality colleges in the country.

Top Ranked Majors

UC Santa Cruz has 643 top ranked majors, led by its placement in the Best Ecology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Information Technology Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Information Technology Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Information Technology Management Schools in California	1	2	View Report
Best Information Technology Management Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	5	View Report
Best Information Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	5	View Report
Best Information Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	15	View Report
Best Applied Linguistics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Applied Linguistics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Applied Linguistics Bachelor's Degree Schools	1	3	View Report
Best Applied Linguistics Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Applied Linguistics Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Applied Linguistics Schools	1	6	View Report
Best Physical Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Physical Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	1	View Report
Best Physical Science Schools in California	1	5	View Report
Best Physical Science Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	20	View Report
Best General Physical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best General Physical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	1	View Report
Best General Physical Sciences Schools in California	1	5	View Report
Best General Physical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	20	View Report
Best Community Organization & Advocacy Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Community Organization & Advocacy Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Community Organization & Advocacy Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Community Organization & Advocacy Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Community Organization & Advocacy Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Community Organization & Advocacy Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Community Organization & Advocacy Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Community Organization & Advocacy Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	2	View Report
Best Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California	1	2	View Report
Best Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Bioinformatics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	3	View Report
Best Bioinformatics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	3	View Report
Best Bioinformatics Schools in California	2	4	View Report
Best Bioinformatics Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	4	View Report
Best General Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	7	View Report
Best General Biomedical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	8	View Report
Best Business Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	7	View Report
Best Business Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	8	View Report
Best Business Economics Schools in California	2	7	View Report
Best Business Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	8	View Report
Best Business/Managerial Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	7	View Report
Best Business/Managerial Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	8	View Report
Best Business/Managerial Economics Schools in California	2	7	View Report
Best Business/Managerial Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	8	View Report
Best Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation Schools in California	2	5	View Report
Best Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	6	View Report
Best Information Technology Management Bachelor's Degree Schools	2	22	View Report
Best Other Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	2	View Report
Best Other Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	2	View Report
Best Other Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools	2	5	View Report
Best Other Computer Engineering Schools in California	2	2	View Report
Best Other Computer Engineering Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	2	View Report
Best Ethnic Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	2	View Report
Best Ethnic Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	3	View Report
Best Ethnic Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools	2	5	View Report
Best Ethnic Studies Schools in California	2	6	View Report
Best Ethnic Studies Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	7	View Report
Best Ethnic Studies Schools	2	9	View Report
Best Legal Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	3	View Report
Best Legal Studies Schools in California	2	11	View Report
Best Non-Professional General Legal Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	4	View Report
Best Non-Professional General Legal Studies Schools in California	2	13	View Report
Best Legal Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	4	View Report
Best Physical Science Bachelor's Degree Schools	2	7	View Report
Best Physical Science Schools	2	55	View Report
Best General Physical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools	2	7	View Report
Best General Physical Sciences Schools	2	55	View Report
Best Game & Interactive Media Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	5	View Report
Best Game & Interactive Media Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	5	View Report
Best Game & Interactive Media Design Schools in California	2	9	View Report
Best Game & Interactive Media Design Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	10	View Report
Best Molecular Biochemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Molecular Biochemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best Molecular Biochemistry Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Molecular Biochemistry Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best Biomathematics & Bioinformatics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	4	View Report
Best Biomathematics & Bioinformatics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	4	View Report
Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	6	View Report
Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	10	View Report
Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in California	3	7	View Report
Best Cell/Cellular & Molecular Biology Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	11	View Report
Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	8	View Report
Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	12	View Report
Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools in California	3	10	View Report
Best Cell Biology & Anatomical Sciences Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	14	View Report
Best Ecology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Ecology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best Ecology Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Ecology Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best General Biomedical Sciences Schools in California	3	11	View Report
Best Artificial Intelligence Schools in California	3	4	View Report
Best Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation Schools	3	19	View Report
Best Computer Software & Applications Schools in California	3	16	View Report
Best Information Technology Schools in California	3	34	View Report
Best Information Technology Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	59	View Report
Best Other Computer Engineering Schools	3	6	View Report
Best Women's Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	8	View Report
Best Women's Studies Schools in California	3	18	View Report

How UC Santa Cruz Ranks for Value

Top Value Majors

UC Santa Cruz has 643 best-value majors, including its placement in the Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in California Ranking.

The best rankings are listed below:

Ranking Name	Rank	Out Of	Details
Best Value Information Technology Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value Information Technology Management Schools in California	1	3	View Report
Best Value Information Technology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	5	View Report
Best Value Applied Linguistics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value Applied Linguistics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Value Applied Linguistics Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value Applied Linguistics Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	2	View Report
Best Value Physical Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value Physical Science Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Physical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value General Physical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	1	View Report
Best Value Community Organization & Advocacy Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value Community Organization & Advocacy Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value Community Organization & Advocacy Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value Community Organization & Advocacy Schools in California	1	1	View Report
Best Value Documentary Production Schools in California	1	3	View Report
Best Value Documentary Production Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	3	View Report
Best Value Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	1	3	View Report
Best Value Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	4	View Report
Best Value Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts Schools in California	1	3	View Report
Best Value Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts Schools in the Far Western US Region	1	4	View Report
Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in California	2	4	View Report
Best Value Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation Schools in California	2	6	View Report
Best Value Modeling, Virtual Environments & Simulation Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	7	View Report
Best Value Information Technology Management Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	2	View Report
Best Value Legal Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	3	View Report
Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	4	View Report
Best Value Legal Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	4	View Report
Best Value Community Organization & Advocacy Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	2	View Report
Best Value Community Organization & Advocacy Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	2	View Report
Best Value Community Organization & Advocacy Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	2	View Report
Best Value Community Organization & Advocacy Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	2	View Report
Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	2	9	View Report
Best Value Game & Interactive Media Design Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	2	10	View Report
Best Value Molecular Biochemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Value Molecular Biochemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best Value Molecular Biochemistry Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Value Molecular Biochemistry Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best Value Bioinformatics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	4	View Report
Best Value Bioinformatics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	4	View Report
Best Value Biomathematics & Bioinformatics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	4	View Report
Best Value Biomathematics & Bioinformatics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	4	View Report
Best Value Ecology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Value Ecology Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best Value Ecology Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Value Ecology Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best Value Business Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	7	View Report
Best Value Business Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	8	View Report
Best Value Business Economics Schools in California	3	7	View Report
Best Value Business Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	8	View Report
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	7	View Report
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	8	View Report
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in California	3	7	View Report
Best Value Business/Managerial Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	8	View Report
Best Value Artificial Intelligence Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	6	View Report
Best Value Ethnic Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Value Ethnic Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	5	View Report
Best Value Human Computer Interaction Schools in California	3	4	View Report
Best Value Human Computer Interaction Schools in California	3	4	View Report
Best Value Astrophysics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Value Astrophysics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	3	View Report
Best Value Astrophysics Schools in California	3	4	View Report
Best Value Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region	3	4	View Report
Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in California	3	4	View Report
Best Value Physical Science Bachelor's Degree Schools	3	6	View Report
Best Value General Physical Sciences Bachelor's Degree Schools	3	6	View Report
Best Value International Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Value International Economics Schools in California	3	3	View Report
Best Value Documentary Production Schools	3	20	View Report
Best Value Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts Bachelor's Degree Schools	3	23	View Report
Best Value Molecular Biochemistry Bachelor's Degree Schools	4	10	View Report
Best Value Molecular Biochemistry Schools	4	12	View Report
Best Value Bioinformatics Schools in California	4	5	View Report
Best Value Bioinformatics Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	5	View Report
Best Value Other Ecology, Evolution & Systematics Biology Schools in California	4	4	View Report
Best Value Information Technology Management Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	6	View Report
Best Value Ethnic Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools	4	11	View Report
Best Value Applied Linguistics Bachelor's Degree Schools	4	9	View Report
Best Value Other Linguistic, Comparative, & Related Language Studies & Services Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	4	5	View Report
Best Value Other Linguistic, Comparative, & Related Language Studies & Services Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	6	View Report
Best Value Other Linguistic, Comparative, & Related Language Studies & Services Schools in California	4	5	View Report
Best Value Other Linguistic, Comparative, & Related Language Studies & Services Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	6	View Report
Best Value Legal Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	5	View Report
Best Value Non-Professional General Legal Studies Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	6	View Report
Best Value Legal Professions Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	6	View Report
Best Value Human Computer Interaction Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	6	View Report
Best Value Human Computer Interaction Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	6	View Report
Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	4	View Report
Best Value Astronomy & Astrophysics Schools in the Far Western US Region	4	5	View Report
Best Value Biomathematics & Bioinformatics Schools in California	5	6	View Report
Best Value Marine Biology Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	5	5	View Report
Best Value Marine Biology Schools in California	5	5	View Report
Best Value Other Computer Engineering Bachelor's Degree Schools in California	5	5	View Report
Best Value Other Computer Engineering Schools in California	5	5	View Report
Best Value Physical Science Schools in California	5	5	View Report
Best Value General Physical Sciences Schools in California	5	5	View Report
Best Value International Economics Bachelor's Degree Schools in the Far Western US Region	5	5	View Report
Best Value International Economics Schools in the Far Western US Region	5	5	View Report
Best Value Community Organization & Advocacy Bachelor's Degree Schools	5	13	View Report

More About the Rankings

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Notes and References

The rankings above are drawn from U.S. Department of Education data, 2026 edition.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.