University of California, Santa Cruz acceptance rate, scores and deadlines

Santa Cruz, CA · public · 17,940 undergraduates

Acceptance rate 72.7% Fall 2025 · ↑6.9 pts
SAT Not used Test-blind
Tests, 2026–27 Test-blind From the admissions site

Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from UC Santa Cruz's admissions site.

Chances at UC Santa Cruz
1500
unweighted, 4.0 scale —
Your odds · Regular decision Target
62–69%
  • UC Santa Cruz is test-blind: it doesn't look at SAT or ACT scores.
  • So this range uses the admit rate for applicants without special hooks.
  • UC Santa Cruz admits 72.7% of applicants overall.

Data: Common Data Set 2025–26 · Test-blind for 2026–27

An estimate, not a guarantee. Save to my list

Acceptance rate

UC Santa Cruz acceptance rate by year

48,274 of 66,374 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 65.8% for Fall 2024.

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 201520172019202120232025 72.7%
Show the numbers
Entering classAppliedAdmittedRateSource
Fall 202566,37448,27472.7%Common Data Set
Fall 202471,72247,18665.8%IPEDS
Fall 202368,84543,05462.5%IPEDS
Fall 202265,91230,92646.9%IPEDS
Fall 202161,69536,17758.6%IPEDS
Fall 202054,98835,59164.7%IPEDS
Fall 201955,79628,62951.3%IPEDS
Fall 201856,58626,80347.4%IPEDS
Fall 201752,96926,98450.9%IPEDS
Fall 201649,18128,45257.9%IPEDS
Fall 201545,53222,89750.3%IPEDS

2026–27 applications

UC Santa Cruz deadlines for 2026–27

Apply with UC Application. Checked October 24, 2026 on UC Santa Cruz's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.

  1. Regular decision Apply by Decisions Late February–mid-March
Every 2026–27 deadline, in date order

Scores and GPA

Test scores and GPA at UC Santa Cruz

Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.

UC Santa Cruz is test-blind: scores it lists are not used in admission decisions.

Average high school GPA 3.87
As reported, 99.26% reported a GPA
High school GPA of enrolled first-years (Fall 2025)
  • 4.035.9%
  • 3.75–3.9936.4%
  • 3.50–3.7422.2%
  • 3.25–3.494.7%
  • 3.00–3.240.8%
  • 2.50–2.990.1%
  • Below 2.500.0%

What counts

What UC Santa Cruz weighs

From section C7 of UC Santa Cruz's Common Data Set 2025–26.

Very important

  • Course rigor
  • GPA
  • Essays
  • State residency

Important

  • Activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character
  • First-generation status
  • Where you live

Considered

  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

Not considered

  • Class rank
  • Test scores
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Alumni relation
  • Religious affiliation
  • Demonstrated interest

Waitlist

UC Santa Cruz waitlist

9,881 students were offered a place on the waitlist for Fall 2025, 6,444 accepted it, and 2,648 were admitted from it (41.1% of those who stayed on).

Cost

What UC Santa Cruz costs

From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use UC Santa Cruz's net price calculator.

Tuition, in-state$16,585
Per year
Tuition, out-of-state$54,187
Per year
Average net price$18,549
After grants, aided students
Open UC Santa Cruz's net price calculator

Compare

Colleges with a similar acceptance rate

Close to UC Santa Cruz's 72.7%, from the same official data.

FAQ

Questions about UC Santa Cruz admissions

What is UC Santa Cruz's acceptance rate?

UC Santa Cruz admitted 48,274 of 66,374 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 72.7%. That is up from 65.8% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.

Is UC Santa Cruz test-optional for 2026–27?

UC Santa Cruz is test-blind for 2026–27: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission.

When are UC Santa Cruz's application deadlines for 2026–27?

Regular decision: November 30, 2026. Check UC Santa Cruz's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.

Where the numbers come from

Sources

Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.

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