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University of California, Santa Cruz

Ranked
Santa Cruz, United States
=196th in World University Rankings 2025
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About the University of California, Santa Cruz

Basic information and contact details for the University of California, Santa Cruz

institution

The University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) is a well-known research-based higher education institution that currently operates under the umbrella of the University of California system. The university has been consistently highly ranked among similar research institutions both inside and outside the US.

The idea for the establishment of the university came as a direct result of a bid to the governing board of the University of California system to equip Santa Cruz with a competitive public institution of higher education.

Opened in the fall of 1965, the university is committed to equipping students with the most relevant and up-to-date knowledge in their chosen academic discipline. With over 60 undergraduate and 40 graduate degree programs, UCSC has developed itself as an arena for interdisciplinary education and research opportunities in arts, engineering, humanities, physical and biological sciences, and social sciences. 

Covering over 810 hectares of land surrounded by Santa Cruz Mountains, the main university campus hosts 10 residential colleges, and the modern McHenry library, gathering publications related to arts, humanities and social sciences.

Alongside their work on campus, scholars are also encouraged to benefit from the university’s strong connections and complete work experience in the industry. Alternatively, students can choose to complete a yearlong exchange programme with a partner university, such as the University of New Mexico or the University of New Hampshire.

The university attempts to act as a driver of change in the local area, encouraging sustainability initiatives which are an integral part of life on campus. UCSC has made a considerable effort related to preservation of local water resources, traffic reduction and recycling, and was able to achieve a notable reduction in traffic congestion locally, among other things.

Famous people to name UCSC as their alma-mater include film director Cary Fukunaga and CEO of Buzzfeed and the Huffington Post, Jonah Peretti.

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Rankings

Select the type of rankings below to see stats

World University Rankings 2025
20406080100
Overall 58.9
Teaching 35.3
Research Environment 41.7
Research Quality 93.2
Industry 71.9
International Outlook 73.9
53545556575859201620172018201920202023202553.955.654.855.655.254.858.9

Breakdown via year: Overall

Ranking positions 2016 to 2025
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Key Student Statistics

A breakdown of student statistics at the University of California, Santa Cruz

gender ratio
Student gender ratio
46 F : 54 M (1)
globe fill
International student percentage
10% (1)
student per staff
Students per staff
24.1 (1)
student
Student total
19782 (1)

Based on data collected for the (1) World University Rankings 2025

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Subjects Taught at the University of California, Santa Cruz

See below for a range of subjects taught at the University of California, Santa Cruz

Physical Sciences101–125th

  • Chemistry
  • Geology, Environmental, Earth and Marine Sciences
  • Physics and Astronomy
  • Mathematics and Statistics

Computer Science201–250th

  • Computer Science

Social Sciences126–150th

  • Sociology
  • Politics and International Studies
  • Communication and Media Studies

Life Sciences126–150th

  • Agriculture and Forestry
  • Biological Sciences

Arts and Humanities176–200th

  • Languages, Literature and Linguistics
  • History, Philosophy and Theology
  • Archaeology
  • Art, Performing Art and Design

Education151–175th

  • Education

Engineering201–250th

  • General Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Psychology251–300th

  • Psychology