Academic Comparison between UC Santa Cruz and California Northstate University

University of California-Santa Cruz and California Northstate University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UC Santa Cruz is a four-year, public school located in Santa Cruz, CA and California Northstate University is a four-year, private (for-profit) school located in Elk Grove, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • UC Santa Cruz is a public and California Northstate University is a private (for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Northstate University has more expensive tuition & fees ($59,254) than UC Santa Cruz ($45,337).
  • It is harder to admit to UC Santa Cruz than California Northstate University.
  • UC Santa Cruz has more students with 19,478 students while California Northstate University has 962 students.
  • California Northstate University has a lower number of students per faculty with 7 to 1 while UC Santa Cruz's ratio is 23 to 1.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Santa Cruzvs.California Northstate University
Santa Cruz, CaliforniaLocationElk Grove, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie Classification
In-State$14,560
Out-Of-State$45,337
2024 Tuition & Fees$59,254
65%% Receiving Financial Aid48%
$20,896Average Amount of Financial Aid$6,671
63.00 %Acceptance Rates84.85 %
10.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)8.33 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
76 %Graduation Rate76 %
5 %Transfer-out Rate-
88 %Retention Rate100 %
19,478Student Population962
688Number of Faculties-
23 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio7 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesWeekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Placement services