Aerial shot of campus with Monterey Bay in the background.

About UC Santa Cruz

A place like no other

A global research university, UC Santa Cruz is part of the world’s most celebrated system of public higher education, and stands among the leading institutions of higher learning.

The campus rests among redwood forests on former ranchlands above the city of Santa Cruz and the Pacific Ocean—both of which provide opportunities for study, research, and recreation.

We invite you to find your voice at UC Santa Cruz—which is not just a place, but a community of learning that spans the globe.

real banana slug slithering along the forest floor.

16,938

Undergraduate students

1,896

Graduate students

18,834

Entire student body

73

Undergraduate majors

66

Graduate programs

92%

California residents (undergraduates)


Overview

UC Santa Cruz—acclaimed for high-impact research and a commitment to teaching and public service—leads at the intersection of innovation, social justice, and sustainability.

Leadership

As UCSC’s 11th chancellor, Cynthia Larive is committed to student success and guiding a purpose-driven campus community.

Residential colleges

Our system of residential colleges—living and learning communities within the university—provides support for the whole student and makes their success a priority. 

A place for all to thrive

Two student smiling in front of a mural


Diversity makes us better

We seek to embed principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion because we aspire to extraordinary outcomes in research, scholarship and creative activities, teaching, and other related pursuits.

Wooden bridge in the forest.


A campus sublime

Redwood forests. Breathtaking vistas. Trails to class. Room to breathe. UC Santa Cruz is famed worldwide for its jaw-dropping beauty. 

Take a tour and see for yourself.

Mascot holding a box as if they are moving into one of the colleges.

What does it cost?

We’re united by our mission. Energized by our vision.

Illustration of the state of California with key cities and UC Santa Cruz called out.

A metropolis or
a natural setting?
Why not both?

Our sweet spot

UC Santa Cruz, located along the Pacific Ocean on California’s Central Coast, is uniquely positioned at the intersection of technology and agriculture. Just 45 minutes from the high-tech center of Silicon Valley and 25 minutes from the fertile farmlands of Watsonville, our geographic placement helps us live our social justice values, by developing technology for the social good and producing industry-leading research in organic agriculture and sustainable farming.

5 people in a lab standing around a table smiling.

Employment at UCSC

UC Santa Cruz—where the promise of tomorrow drives our best work today. Join us and be part of transformative change.

Portrait of a man in a chemistry lab

A campus with impact

The work of our students and faculty ripples out from UC Santa Cruz across the community, the state, and the world. Examples span a broad range, from art exhibits on prisons, policing, and justice; to water conservation research; to releasing a draft of the first human pangenome. See all we’re doing.




Additional information