CSULB vs UC Santa Cruz: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for California State University-Long Beach and University of California-Santa Cruz, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
CSULB vs UC Santa Cruz at a glance
CSULB admits 46.3% of applicants and UC Santa Cruz 65.8% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $9,426 at CSULB and $18,549 at UC Santa Cruz. Six-year graduation rates are 70.3% and 73.7%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- CSULB admits 46.3% of applicants and UC Santa Cruz 65.8%, so CSULB is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $9,426 a year at CSULB and $18,549 at UC Santa Cruz; CSULB costs $9,123 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $6,443 at CSULB and $9,973 at UC Santa Cruz.
- 70.3% of students graduate within six years at CSULB, against 73.7% at UC Santa Cruz.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $69,554 for CSULB and $73,362 for UC Santa Cruz; UC Santa Cruz is $3,808 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $14,195 at CSULB and $15,000 at UC Santa Cruz.
- CSULB enrolls 35,924 students (large city) and UC Santa Cruz 17,940 (small city).
Side by side
CSULB and UC Santa Cruz in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | CSULB | UC Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 46.3% | 65.8% |
| Applicants | 67,122 | 61,695 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $9,426 | $18,549 |
| Tuition, in state | $8,338 | $16,585 |
| Tuition, out of state | $21,658 | $54,187 |
| Cost of attendance | $22,926 | $43,867 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $6,443 | $9,973 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $6,576 | $10,713 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $7,576 | $13,446 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $11,462 | $18,220 |
| Over $110,000 | $19,919 | $35,350 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 70.3% | 73.7% |
| First-year retention | 86.8% | 88% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $69,554 | $73,362 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $14,195 | $15,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $161 | $170 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 35,924 | 17,940 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | City: Small |
| Location | Long Beach, CA | Santa Cruz, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
CSULB reports 86 bachelor's programs and UC Santa Cruz 60; 37 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about CSULB vs UC Santa Cruz
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into CSULB or UC Santa Cruz?
CSULB is harder to get into by acceptance rate: CSULB admits 46.3% of applicants and UC Santa Cruz admits 65.8%.
Which is cheaper, CSULB or UC Santa Cruz?
CSULB has the lower average net price after grants: $9,426 a year at CSULB against $18,549 at UC Santa Cruz. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $6,443 and $9,973. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do CSULB or UC Santa Cruz graduates earn more?
UC Santa Cruz graduates earn more at the median: $69,554 ten years after entry for CSULB and $73,362 for UC Santa Cruz. Median federal debt at graduation is $14,195 and $15,000.
Which has a higher graduation rate, CSULB or UC Santa Cruz?
UC Santa Cruz does: 70.3% of CSULB students graduate within six years, against 73.7% at UC Santa Cruz.
How big are CSULB and UC Santa Cruz?
CSULB has 35,924 students in Long Beach, CA and UC Santa Cruz has 17,940 students in Santa Cruz, CA.