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.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
UC Santa Cruz California Northstate University
Vote to see the other's choices.

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
62.54 %Acceptance Rates84.85 %
10.18 %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