SJSU vs UC Santa Cruz: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for San Jose State University and University of California-Santa Cruz, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
SJSU vs UC Santa Cruz at a glance
SJSU admits 84.6% of applicants and UC Santa Cruz 65.8% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,241 at SJSU and $18,549 at UC Santa Cruz. Six-year graduation rates are 67.7% and 73.7%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- SJSU admits 84.6% of applicants and UC Santa Cruz 65.8%, so UC Santa Cruz is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,241 a year at SJSU and $18,549 at UC Santa Cruz; SJSU costs $4,308 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $10,381 at SJSU and $9,973 at UC Santa Cruz.
- 67.7% of students graduate within six years at SJSU, against 73.7% at UC Santa Cruz.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $83,493 for SJSU and $73,362 for UC Santa Cruz; SJSU is $10,131 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $14,750 at SJSU and $15,000 at UC Santa Cruz.
- SJSU enrolls 27,601 students (large city) and UC Santa Cruz 17,940 (small city).
Side by side
SJSU 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 | SJSU | UC Santa Cruz |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 84.6% | 65.8% |
| Applicants | 30,441 | 61,695 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,241 | $18,549 |
| Tuition, in state | $8,846 | $16,585 |
| Tuition, out of state | $22,166 | $54,187 |
| Cost of attendance | $28,920 | $43,867 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $10,381 | $9,973 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $10,669 | $10,713 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,135 | $13,446 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $15,813 | $18,220 |
| Over $110,000 | $24,449 | $35,350 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 67.7% | 73.7% |
| First-year retention | 86.8% | 88% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $83,493 | $73,362 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $14,750 | $15,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $168 | $170 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 27,601 | 17,940 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | City: Small |
| Location | San Jose, 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
SJSU reports 85 bachelor's programs and UC Santa Cruz 60; 33 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about SJSU vs UC Santa Cruz
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into SJSU or UC Santa Cruz?
UC Santa Cruz is harder to get into by acceptance rate: SJSU admits 84.6% of applicants and UC Santa Cruz admits 65.8%.
Which is cheaper, SJSU or UC Santa Cruz?
SJSU has the lower average net price after grants: $14,241 a year at SJSU against $18,549 at UC Santa Cruz. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $10,381 and $9,973. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do SJSU or UC Santa Cruz graduates earn more?
SJSU graduates earn more at the median: $83,493 ten years after entry for SJSU and $73,362 for UC Santa Cruz. Median federal debt at graduation is $14,750 and $15,000.
Which has a higher graduation rate, SJSU or UC Santa Cruz?
UC Santa Cruz does: 67.7% of SJSU students graduate within six years, against 73.7% at UC Santa Cruz.
How big are SJSU and UC Santa Cruz?
SJSU has 27,601 students in San Jose, CA and UC Santa Cruz has 17,940 students in Santa Cruz, CA.