Puget Sound vs UC Santa Cruz
How Puget Sound and UC Santa Cruz stack up on the numbers that decide where you apply: selectivity, cost after aid, testing, and essays.
| Puget Sound | UC Santa Cruz | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 72% | 72.7% |
| SAT (middle 50%) | 1160-1388 | Not reported |
| Testing policy | Test-optional | Test-blind |
| Type | Private | Public |
| Location | WA | CA |
| Sticker price (per year) | $83,940 | $43,077 |
| Average cost after aid | $39,011 | $16,526 |
| Supplemental essays | 1 | 4 |
- Puget Sound is harder to get into than UC Santa Cruz (72% versus 72.7%), so treat it as the bigger reach.
- After aid, UC Santa Cruz is usually the cheaper option ($16,526 versus $39,011 per year on average).
- On testing, Puget Sound is test-optional while UC Santa Cruz is test-blind.
- UC Santa Cruz asks for more supplemental writing (4 essays versus 1), so budget more time for its application.
- Run the free chances calculator to see your real odds at both, then get a free read on each school's essays.
Puget Sound vs UC Santa Cruz FAQ
Is Puget Sound or UC Santa Cruz harder to get into?
Puget Sound is harder to get into, admitting about 72% of applicants versus 72.7% at UC Santa Cruz.
Is Puget Sound or UC Santa Cruz cheaper?
After financial aid, UC Santa Cruz is usually cheaper, about $16,526 per year on average versus $39,011 at Puget Sound.
See your real chances at Puget Sound and UC Santa Cruz.
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