by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a UC Santa Cruz degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how UC Santa Cruz measures up.
UC Santa Cruz is ranked #1,252 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of B- (above average for value). Within California, it ranks #133 of 304 for value.
Among the majors UC Santa Cruz offers, these rank best for value nationally.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's Degree | #3 of 6 |
| Physical Science | #3 of 6 |
| General Physical Sciences | #3 of 6 |
| Physical Sciences | #3 of 6 |
| Other Film/Video & Photographic Arts | #3 of 23 |
| Molecular Biochemistry | #4 of 10 |
| Ethnic Studies | #4 of 11 |
| Applied Linguistics | #4 of 9 |
| Community Organization & Advocacy | #5 of 13 |
| Public Administration | #5 of 13 |
Read the full UC Santa Cruz value report below — how it ranks within its state, how it ranks nationwide, what a degree actually costs, and whether it makes financial sense.
University of California-Santa Cruz is ranked #30 out of #346 in California for quality and #133 out of #304 for California value.
Live in-state? You may qualify for a reduced price. Check the UC Santa Cruz financial aid page to be sure.
University of California-Santa Cruz is ranked #1,252 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
University of California-Santa Cruz is priced competitively for the quality of education it provides, earning it a good value recognition from College Factual.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at UC Santa Cruz costs about $26,959. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $107,836 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $41,144 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $17,890 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $26,959 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $107,836 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the UC Santa Cruz net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
The price you actually pay depends on your circumstances — most students do not pay the full sticker price.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a UC Santa Cruz degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $164,576 | — | — |
| All Students | $107,836 | #1,252 | B- |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $71,560 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $164,576 | — | — |
| All Students | $107,836 | #133 | A- |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $71,560 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at UC Santa Cruz shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $9,472 |
| $30K–$48K | $10,114 |
| $48K–$75K | $13,001 |
| $75K–$110K | $18,786 |
| Over $110K | $32,674 |
About 61% of UC Santa Cruz undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $21,866 per year. Get more details on the UC Santa Cruz financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the UC Santa Cruz net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.