Is University of California-Santa Cruz Worth It?
Santa Cruz, CA · Small city · 17,940 students · Data: College Scorecard, June 2026 release
University of California-Santa Cruz is a R1 Research University located in small city in Santa Cruz, CA. It enrolls approximately 17,940 students. The acceptance rate is 66%, making it moderately selective. 75% of students finish within 6 years (150% of normal time) — solid. With $68,396 median earnings and $16,666 median debt, median debt equals about 3 months of gross pay (estimate) — a solid ROI. 75% of borrowers are making progress on their loans 3 years after leaving school (College Scorecard).
Strongly liberal student body
13.43 liberal students for every 1 conservative student (FIRE survey). Free speech rank 154 of 261, grade F.
Full campus politics breakdown →Source: FIRE 2027 College Free Speech Rankings (student survey fielded 2026 by College Pulse)
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