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University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA · Public · Visit Website

UC Santa Cruz's main campus is set on over 2,000 acres of rolling, forested hills with views of the Pacific Ocean. The university utilizes a residential college system, reminiscent of Oxbridge, to foster a close-knit community within the larger university. Students benefit from the university's proximity to both the Monterey Bay and the Silicon Valley, as well as the university's administrative ties to the Lick and Keck Observatories.

Programs Analyzed

Avg Grad Earnings

$38,112/yr

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

44/100

Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$14,560/yr

Out-of-state: $45,337/yr

Financial Aid & Net Price

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships, by family income. 32% of students receive Pell Grants and 29% take federal loans.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/yr	4-Year Net Cost	Net-Price ROI
$0 – $30K	$9,472	$37,888	10.1x
$30K – $48K	$10,114	$40,456	9.4x
$48K – $75K	$13,001	$52,004	7.3x
$75K – $110K	$18,786	$75,144	5.1x
$110K+	$32,674	$130,696	2.9x
Sticker price (no aid)	$14,560	$58,240	6.5x

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships. ROI = average 10-year graduate earnings ÷ 4-year net cost. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

All Programs at University of California-Santa Cruz

35 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for full AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Computer Science Compare across schools	87	$75,150/yr	Very High	19.8x
Computer Engineering Compare across schools	85	$79,969/yr	Very High	22.7x
Computer/Information Technology Administration Compare across schools	81	$55,773/yr	Very High	17.7x
Electrical Compare across schools	75	$78,842/yr	Very High	20.4x
Economics Compare across schools	73	$50,518/yr	Very High	14.2x
Business/Managerial Economics Compare across schools	67	$52,029/yr	Very High	14.4x
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools	66	$55,856/yr	High	15.8x
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences Compare across schools	56	$45,088/yr	High	12.6x
Mathematics Compare across schools	56	$40,798/yr	Very High	12.1x
Chemistry Compare across schools	55	$39,700/yr	High	10.4x
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences Compare across schools	51	$43,362/yr	High	11.5x
Biology, General Compare across schools	51	$37,651/yr	High	11.1x
Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology Compare across schools	50	$40,320/yr	High	12.0x
Cognitive Science Compare across schools	50	$35,384/yr	Moderate	12.1x
Political Science and Government Compare across schools	47	$31,882/yr	Very High	10.0x
Non-Professional General Legal Studies (Undergraduate) Compare across schools	42	$36,941/yr	Moderate	9.8x
Psychology, General Compare across schools	41	$30,730/yr	High	9.1x
History Compare across schools	39	$33,081/yr	High	7.3x
Physics Compare across schools	36	$37,859/yr	Very High	5.5x
Sociology Compare across schools	36	$28,495/yr	High	8.7x
Romance Languages & Literatures Compare across schools	35	$32,934/yr	Very High	7.9x
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Compare across schools	34	$29,152/yr	High	9.3x
Ethnic & Cultural Minority Compare across schools	31	$31,140/yr	Very High	8.7x
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Compare across schools	31	$25,034/yr	High	9.9x
Anthropology Compare across schools	29	$23,152/yr	High	7.1x
Astronomy and Astrophysics Compare across schools	28	$35,171/yr	Very High	5.0x
Community Organization and Advocacy Compare across schools	28	$29,617/yr	High	8.0x
Philosophy Compare across schools	27	$30,285/yr	Very High	7.6x
Behavioral Sciences Compare across schools	24	$28,709/yr	High	3.9x
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools	24	$21,106/yr	Moderate	5.2x
Ecology & Evolution Compare across schools	22	$25,810/yr	High	6.0x
Film/Video and Photographic Arts Compare across schools	22	$23,614/yr	High	6.8x
Linguistic & Comparative Compare across schools	22	$21,793/yr	Very High	6.2x
Graphic Communications Compare across schools	21	$25,358/yr	High	3.4x
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools	21	$21,638/yr	Moderate	5.1x

Compare any program at University of California-Santa Cruz with another school. Use the comparison tool →

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →