UCSC Price and Affordability

Budgeting for college is a bit of a struggle. Can someone please break down the price or cost of attendance at UCSC (including tuition, housing, meal plans, and other essential expenses)?

The cost of attendance at the University of California - Santa Cruz (UCSC) is indeed an important factor to consider while planning for college. The figures can vary based on several factors such as whether you are an in-state or out-of-state student, living on-campus or off-campus, among others.

For the 2024-2025 academic year, the estimated costs for California resident undergraduate students are:

- Tuition and Fees: About $16,014

- On-campus Housing and Meal plan: Around $19,950

- Books and Supplies: Estimated at $1,200

- Personal Expenses: Approximately $2,300

- Transportation: Approximately $681

For non-residential undergraduate students, the additional nonresident tuition fee is $34,200.

Remember, these are mostly approximate costs and the actual costs may vary. Also, it’s important to note that many students do not pay the full tuition sticker price due to financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. UCSC offers a variety of financial aid packages and the FAFSA uses the Student Aid Index (SAI) to determine how much you are expected to contribute towards college cost.

It's worthwhile to use UCSC's Net Price Calculator (https://www2.ucsc.edu/finaidcalc/) to get a more accurate estimate of what your actual cost of attendance would be after taking financial aid into account. It's a helpful tool that can give you a personalized estimate based on your financial situation.

Every student's financial situation is unique, and UCSC's Financial Aid and Scholarship Office can provide further assistance. They offer counseling and advice on managing college costs and navigating the financial aid process.