University of California, Santa Cruz

In 2022, UC Santa Cruz's tuition was $11,834 a year for in-state students and $42,611 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If these numbers sound impossible, remember, the displayed price of tuition does not always tell the full story. Many students owe way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Tuition for international students at University of California, Santa Cruz is $42,611 per year.

University of California, Santa Cruz meets 84.9% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at University of California, Santa Cruz is around $27,887 a year.

Students in the class of 2023 who had taken out student loans graduated with an average of $20,895 of debt.

Does University of California, Santa Cruz Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

University of California, Santa Cruz is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,834 for in-state students who attend full-time. For students who are not considered California-residents, out-of-state tuition is $42,611 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be other criteria as well, depending on the state you and your parents currently reside in.

Explore other California colleges

University of California, Santa Cruz International Student Tuition

University of California, Santa Cruz has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of California, Santa Cruz usually pay around $42,611 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities. International students who demonstrate financial need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at University of California, Santa Cruz:

•On-campus jobs •University of California, Santa Cruz-specific loans •University of California, Santa Cruz-specific scholarships •International Students Tuition Waivers

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

---

University of California, Santa Cruz Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

---

Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of California, Santa Cruz.

Room and Board Costs at University of California, Santa Cruz

Housing and campus dining at University of California, Santa Cruz is $18,785 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that allows you to eat in the University of California, Santa Cruz's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs vary based on on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

How Much Do Books Cost at University of California, Santa Cruz?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer resources for students who may struggle to participate because of cost can find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at University of California, Santa Cruz

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. At University of California, Santa Cruz, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

Where are a college is located can also have a big effect on your transportation budget. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in a city can be pricey, but cities may offer more buses, trains or low-cost flight options to actually get to school. University of California, Santa Cruzis located in a town in California, near San Jose.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, don’t forget to leave some room in your budget for personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

---

Total Tuition and Expenses at University of California, Santa Cruz

---

Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better estimate of what is really costs to go to University of California, Santa Cruz.

Total Cost of University of California, Santa Cruz

What will the cost of attending University of California, Santa Cruz be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$11,834
Out-of-State Tuition	$42,611
Room and Board	$18,785
Other expenses	$1,509

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

---

Financial Aid at University of California, Santa Cruz

---

The majority of University of California, Santa Cruz undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 9,191 of the 17,502 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of California, Santa Cruz meets 84.9% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $27,887 a year. Around 43% of University of California, Santa Cruz undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of California, Santa Cruz graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $20,895 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$17,210
State Loans	$7,117
University of California, Santa Cruz-Specific Loans	$1,418
Private Loans	$37,287

Most Common Loans for University of California, Santa Cruz Students
Federal Loans	41%
State loans	1%
Institutional Loans	14%
Private loans	5%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of California, Santa Cruz financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of California, Santa Cruz

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, University of California, Santa Cruz awarded 8,838 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $214.6 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $11.61 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of University of California, Santa Cruz

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of California, Santa Cruz students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of California, Santa Cruz was $27,887 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of California, Santa Cruz seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-21,277
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-13,684
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$37,387

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending University of California, Santa Cruz really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of California, Santa Cruz's net cost calculator on their website.

University of California, Santa Cruz Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

UC Santa Cruz Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

UC Santa Cruz has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - International Students

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

University of California, Santa Cruz's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

As of 2022, the total market value of University of California, Santa Cruz's endowment was $269.3 million. The average college endowment was $905 million in 2021. The school spends $11,561 for each full-time student enrolled.

---

Learn More About University of California, Santa Cruz

---

To learn more about University of California, Santa Cruz, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Join the conversation about about University of California, Santa Cruz in the College Confidential forums