University of California, Santa Cruz

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at University of California, Santa Cruz was $11,442 a year for in-state students and $41,196 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams sound impossible, remember, the "sticker price" of tuition doesn't always tell the full story. Many students owe much less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are applied. And, student loans can make the amount you do have to pay for college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

Tuition for international students at University of California, Santa Cruz is $41,196 per year.

University of California, Santa Cruz: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

University of California, Santa Cruz is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $11,442 for in-state students who attend full-time. For students who are not considered California-residents, out-of-state tuition is $41,196 a year.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. 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 verify your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state residency. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

University of California, Santa Cruz International Student Tuition

UC 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 $41,196 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but should research private or UC Santa Cruz-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.. International students who demonstrate financial need may qualify for the following types of financial support at UC Santa Cruz:

•On-campus jobs •UC Santa Cruz-specific loans •UC Santa Cruz-specific scholarships •International Students Tuition Waivers

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

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University of California, Santa Cruz Room, Board, Fees, and More

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In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when planning for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at UC Santa Cruz.

Room and Board Costs at UC Santa Cruz

Room and board at UC Santa Cruz costs $18,186 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining facilities.

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

How Much Do Books Cost at UC Santa Cruz?

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books 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 library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges have ways so that those with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at UC Santa Cruz

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university 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 other hand transportation in an urban area can be pricey, but cities may offer more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. University of California, Santa Cruzis located in a small town setting in California, near San Francisco and San Jose.

Other Costs

When creating a budget for college, be sure to take into account personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Financial Breakdown for University of California, Santa Cruz

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Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending UC Santa Cruz.

How Much Does UC Santa Cruz Cost?

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

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$11,442
Out-of-State Tuition	$41,196
Room and Board	$18,186
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.

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Financial Aid at University of California, Santa Cruz

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The majority of UC Santa Cruz undergrads use financial aid to finance their education. In 2022, 9,339 of the 17,864 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. UC Santa Cruz meets 82.9% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $25,867 a year. Around 49% of UC Santa Cruz undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. UC Santa Cruz graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $20,191 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$18,137
State Loans	$7,080
UC Santa Cruz-Specific Loans	$1,263
Private Loans	$32,054

Most Common Loans for UC Santa Cruz Students
Federal Loans	46%
State loans	1%
Institutional Loans	12%
Private loans	4%

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 UC 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 2022, UC Santa Cruz awarded 9,174 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $209.2 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $13.51 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

University of California, Santa Cruz Net Cost

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 UC 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 UC Santa Cruz was $25,867 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of UC Santa Cruz seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-16,736
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-10,564
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$38,885

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 UC 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 UC 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 make attending more affordable. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

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.

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Learn More About University of California, Santa Cruz

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