The University of California, Santa Cruz, is one of the more recent schools added to the University of California system — it was established in 1965 and just recently celebrated its 60th birthday. In the last 60 decades, UC Santa Cruz has forged a path as a leading research university while remaining relatively easy to gain admission into. However, as Ivy Coach will examine in this blog, Santa Cruz may be amid a reputation crisis that could jeopardize its legacy of academic renown.

The University of California is — arguably — the leading public university system in the United States. UC Santa Cruz remains an excellent choice for students who want in on the UC experience but are unsure that UCLA or UC Berkeley are within reach. And, as the data indicates, it’s not getting any more challenging to get into this R1 Doctoral University, which goes against the many trends towards high competition seen at other elite schools. This news is great for prospective students but not for university officials. So, without further ado, let’s get into the admissions data:

UC Santa Cruz’s Acceptance Rate Over the Last Ten Years

UC Santa Cruz Class Year	Overall Acceptance Rate
Class of 2029	Not Yet Released
Class of 2028	62.54%
Class of 2027	46.92%
Class of 2026	59.00%
Class of 2025	64.73%
Class of 2024	51.31%
Class of 2023	47.37%
Class of 2022	50.94%
Class of 2021	57.85%
Class of 2020	50.29%
Class of 2019	55.72%
Class of 2018	59.91%

During the 2013-14 admission cycle, 59.91% of students who applied to get into the UC Santa Cruz Class of 2018 got in. That acceptance rate would dwindle over the next three years — down to 50.29% for the Class of 2020. The following year, 57.85% of students would get in, a roughly 7% increase from the prior year. This sort of hike in acceptance rate would be unexpected at most colleges, in which, in the last few years, acceptance rates tend to decline over time due to increasing competitiveness, but this would be the beginning of an unorthodox trend of abruptly rising and falling acceptance rates at this sleepy beachside school.

From 2017 onwards, the acceptance rate at UCSC rose and fell like the tides, ranging from a record-low 46.92% for the Class of 2027 to 64.73% for the Class of 2025. According to the most recent data we have, 62.54% of applicants got in during the 2023-24 admissions cycle, marking a high point in the acceptance rate that flies in the face of the many schools that recorded record-low acceptance during this same period. We predict that this topsy-turvy data does not bode well for the long-term standing of this school!

This wonky data also shows that sometimes acceptance rates follow no clear trend, whether downwards or upwards. The sheer unpredictability of UCSC’s acceptance rate underscores the importance of entering into the college admissions process prepared for uncertainty. After all, an acceptance rate of around 50-60% still means that thousands of students face rejection annually.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with UC Santa Cruz Acceptance

We at Ivy Coach would never advise our clients to roll the dice on acceptance, even at moderately selective schools. Our team of former elite college admissions officers is here to help your child realize their dreams of attending UC Santa Cruz by assisting them to develop a highly competitive singular hook. What is a singular hook, you ask? It’s the undeniably unique, wonderfully weird, and specifically small passion, pursuit, or cause that will set you apart from other applicants to Santa Cruz. 

Admissions officers value applicants with singular hooks because they are the ones who take advantage of the resources and opportunities available on campus while other students dabble and dilly-dally without committing themselves to anything in particular.

If you’re interested in optimizing your child’s odds of admission to UC Santa Cruz, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll contact you with an outline of our services.