by our College Data Analytics TeamSee current in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees for University of California-Santa Cruz, plus how they compare to other colleges and a forward projection.
In the most recent reported year, in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at University of California-Santa Cruz amounted to $16,005 a year. For students from out of state the figure was $50,205. In-state students receive a meaningful discount here.
Required fees account for came to $2,859 in-state and $2,859 out-of-state; what is left is base tuition.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,146 | $47,346 |
| Fees | $2,859 | $2,859 |
| Total | $16,005 | $50,205 |
The amounts shown cover one academic year and do not cover room and board.
Keep in mind that a number of students receive financial aid and scholarships that reduce the amount they actually pay. The numbers on this page are sticker price.
How much does University of California-Santa Cruz cost if you attend part time? See the Cost Per Credit Hour page for details.
To see where that lands, here is how University of California-Santa Cruz prices compare to peer schools. Each rating is relative to the average for that group of schools.
| Nationwide | In CA | Similar Colleges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition & Fees | Expensive | Expensive | Expensive |
| In-State Tuition & Fees | Average | Average | Expensive |
Relative to the national field, University of California-Santa Cruz comes in higher than most schools.
Bear in mind that aid packages often lower the real cost well below these published figures. Check the University of California-Santa Cruz Financial Aid page for more.
Take a look at how tuition at University of California-Santa Cruz has tracked across the last few reported years.
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Three Years Ago | $11,442 | $41,196 |
| Two Years Ago | $11,928 | $42,954 |
| One Year Ago | $12,522 | $45,096 |
| Most Recent Year | $13,146 | $47,346 |
The chart below tracks how tuition at UC Santa Cruz has shifted across recent years.
Year over year, out-of-state tuition rose 5.0%. Carrying the same rate forward one year puts tuition + fees around $52,709 for the coming year.
Annual tuition increases are the norm at most institutions, so the cost in your final year will likely top today’s number.
Find answers to frequently asked questions about college tuition and fees for more context.
Averaged across those years, in-state tuition and fees increased by 4.39%, putting next year’s in-state cost near $16,707. Out-of-state cost rose on average by 4.64%, so next year out-of-state students could pay around $52,532.
At the same pace, the next five years of tuition and fees would project as follows:
| Academic Year | In-State Tuition & Fees | Out-of-State Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Next Year | $16,707 | $52,532 |
| In 2 Years | $17,440 | $54,967 |
| In 3 Years | $18,205 | $57,515 |
| In 4 Years | $19,004 | $60,181 |
| In 5 Years | $19,838 | $62,970 |
Budgeting for four years rather than one is the safer way to plan — projecting four years of out-of-state tuition and fees at this rate gives roughly $225,195, or about $71,356 for in-state students.
Tuition is just the starting figure — financial aid can change the actual price a family pays substantially.
For details on financial aid availability at University of California-Santa Cruz, see the University of California-Santa Cruz Financial Aid page.
