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University of California - Santa Cruz Campus Acceptance Rate 2024

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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 28 Oct '24, by Anushree Sinha (Study Abroad Expert)

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Part of the University of California system, University of California Santa Cruz is a public land-grant research university in Santa Cruz, California, United States. UC Santa Cruz is one of the best study abroad universities for international students as the UC Santa Cruz ranking has been consistent among the top 400 global universities for more than a decade now.

Students across the globe apply for UC Santa Cruz admissions. However, only a fraction of candidates secure an enrolment due to the competitive nature of the university.

University of California Santa Cruz Acceptance Rate 2024

UC Santa Cruz welcomes students from all around the globe, who come from a wide range of backgrounds and nationalities. For the Fall 2023 admissions, UC Santa Cruz received over 68,000 applications. Out of these, about 42,000 candidates enrolled in the institute for their higher education. Hence, it can be concluded that with the University of California Santa Cruz acceptance rate of about 61%, the institute is moderately competitive to get into.

Particulars

Headcount

Application Received

68,750

Admitted Students

42,130

Acceptance Rate

61.2%

Enrolled Students

4,379

Yield Rate

10.3%

University of California Santa Cruz Acceptance Rate for International Students

For 2024 admissions, a total of 6,396 international students applied for UC Santa Cruz admissions. Out of them, 3,764 were sent an admission offer. Hence, the University of California Santa Cruz acceptance rate for international students is recorded to be 58.8%.

Particulars

Headcount/Percentage

International Applicants

6,396

International Admitted Students

3,764

International Students Enrolled

67

Acceptance Rate

58.8%

As of Fall 2023, the total student enrollment of the university stands at 19,764. Out of these, the undergraduate student count is 17,812 and the graduate student count is 1,952. When it comes to the ethnic breakdown, a vast number of undergraduate students of are Asian, European American, Chicanx/Latinx, African American, International, and more.

Ethnicity/Race Percentage of Undergraduates
Asian 30.8%
European American 30.7%
Chicanx/Latinx 27.5%
African American 4.6%
International 3.1%
American Indian 0.7%
Pacific Islander 0.2%

University of California Santa Cruz Acceptance Rate Trends

Lately, the acceptance rate of UC Santa Cruz has witnessed a surge in comparison to the previous years. For the Fall 2023 admissions, the University of California Santa Cruz acceptance rate stood at 61.2%. Whereas, during the Fall 2022 admissions, it was recorded to be at 47%.

Also, the number of students applying to UC Santa Cruz has significantly increased in the past few years. For the Fall 2023 admissions, University of California - Santa Cruz campus received a total of 68,750 applications, out of which 42,130 students managed to secure admission to the university. When it comes to the Fall 2020 admissions, about 55,073 candidates applied to the university and 35,935 out of them were granted admission.

Year

Number of Applications Received

Number of Students Accepted

UC Santa Cruz Acceptance Rate

Fall 2023

68,750

42,130

61.2%

Fall 2022

66,033

31,096

47%

Fall 2021

61,822

36,411

58.8%

Fall 2020

55,073

35,935

65.2%

Fall 2019

55,866

28,808

51.5%

University of California Santa Cruz Requirements for International Students

International students must fulfill the eligibility and submit the required documents, such as academic transcripts, English language requirements, standardized/aptitude test scores, letters of recommendation, and more. Listed below are the admission requirements to get into undergraduate and graduate programs:

1) Undergraduate Requirements:

  • High school or secondary school certificate;
  • Proof of English language proficiency; and
  • Other course-specific requirements.

Note: Since the university is test-optional, SAT/ACT scores are not considered a part of the admission process.

2) Graduate Requirements:

Note: Applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree must also hold a post graduate diploma, master’s degree, or a higher degree

Students with three-year degrees from India must also have been conferred:

  • a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in the same field of study; or
  • a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM); or
  • a master's degree, to be considered eligible for admission.

Tips to get selected at University of California Santa Cruz

Getting into University of California Santa Cruz is moderately challenging. Hence, candidates must excel academically and meet all the UC Santa Cruz admission requirements for international students in order to secure an enrollment.

Fulfilling the required Grade Point Average is one of the major entry requirements at University of California Santa Cruz and international students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 - 3.5 or higher in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in the university. Other best practices include submission of high English language proficiency scores and staying active in the world outside classrooms.

UC Santa Cruz vs University of UC Santa Barbara Acceptance Rate

University of California Santa Barbara acceptance rate stands at 28%, which makes it an extremely selective university to get into. In comparison with the University of California Santa Cruz acceptance rate of 61%, UC Santa Barbara can be considered much more selective in their admission criteria.

As listed, getting into UC Santa Barbara is competitive. Hence, students must excel in academics in order to boost their chances. Apart from this, students who are outstanding in activities outside class also stand a good chance to secure an admission.

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FAQs

Q:   What is the acceptance rate for international students at UC Santa Cruz?

A: 

Usually, the University of California Santa Cruz acceptance rate is calculated to be around 61%. For the Fall 2023 admissions, UC Santa Cruz received over 68,000 applications. Out of these,  about 42,000 candidates enrolled in the institute for their higher education. Hence, it can be concluded that with the University of California Santa Cruz acceptance rate of about 61%, the institute is moderately competitive to get into.

Particulars

Headcount

Application Received

68,750

Admitted Students

42,130

Acceptance Rate

61.2%

Enrolled Students

4,379

Yield Rate

10.3%

Q:   Is it hard to get admission at University of California - Santa Cruz?

A: 

University of California Santa Cruz is a moderately competitive university to get into, as its acceptance rate stands at 61%. This figure tells us that almost 61 out of every 100 applicants manage to get enrolled in the university, which is more than half of all the applicants. Therefore, once an applicant fulfills UC Santa Cruz admission requirements, i.e.; academic qualifications, standardized test scores, English language requirements, as well as relevant documents, they are most likely to secure an admission in the university. However, students must not take this lightly and apply to the university within the deadlines in order to get enrolled as a student.

Q:   What are the admission requirements for Indian students at University of California - Santa Cruz?

A: 

In order to secure an enrollment, overseas applicants must fulfill the University of California Santa Cruz admission requirements listed below:

1) Undergraduate Requirements:

  • High school or secondary school certificate;
  • Proof of English language proficiency; and
  • Other course-specific requirements.

Note: Since the university is test-optional,  SAT/ACT scores are not considered a part of the admission process.

2) Graduate Requirements:

Note: Applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree must also hold a post graduate diploma, master’s degree, or a higher degree

Postgraduate admission requirements for Indian students:

Students with three-year degrees from India must also have been conferred:

  • a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in the same field of study; or
  • a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM); or
  • a master's degree, to be considered eligible for admission.

Q:   What are some tips for getting admission at UC Santa Cruz?

A: 

University of California Santa Cruz is a moderately competitive university to get into. However, candidates must not show any laxity and excel academically, along with meeting all the UC Santa Cruz admission requirements for international students in order to secure an enrollment. Additionally, fulfilling the required grade point average is one of the major entry requirement at UC Santa Cruz and international students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 - 3.5 or higher in order to boost their chances of getting admitted in the university. Other best practices include submission of high English language proficiency scores and staying active in the world outside classrooms.

Q:   What are some useful tips for students starting their first semester at UC Santa Cruz?

A: 

University of California - Santa Cruz campus is one of the best universities in USA and students across the world desire to study here. Listed below are some helpful tips for students starting their first semester at UC Santa Cruz:

  • Build a practical routine for studies;
  • Build a healthy relationship with professors and faculty members;
  • Participate in events, clubs, trips, community organisation, volunteering, and more;
  • Participate in sports & fitness activities; and
  • Plan your budget and invest/spend your money mindfully.
 
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Anushree Sinha

Study Abroad Expert

Anushree is a Graduate in Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and takes keen interest in content creation. She has affinity for writing and travelling around the world takes the top spot on her bucket list. Bringing out the creativ...Read Full Bio
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