Student Enrollment

Current student body demographics and enrollment patterns at University of California-Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA

Total Enrollment

19,764

Currently enrolled students

Program Options

204

204 programs

Full-Time Students

17,227

585 part-time

Total FTE

20,507

Full-time equivalent students

Student-Faculty Ratio

22:1

Students per faculty member

What Is the Student Body Size?

Training Capacity & Scale

Large

Major vocational institution

19,764

Total Students

Size compared to other colleges:

200 1K 2K 5K+

Program Diversity 204

High diversity

~97 students per program

Training Capacity

High

Can handle large cohorts across multiple programs

Market Position

Major Player

Among largest colleges nationally

Resource Level

Extensive

Multiple campuses, labs, and equipment

What This Means

University of California-Santa Cruz operates as a large college with 19,764 students across 204 career programs. This size typically offers extensive resources, diverse program options, and comprehensive career services.

With 19,764 students, University of California-Santa Cruz is a large institution offering diverse educational programs and extensive facilities. The school offers 204 specialized programs designed for immediate workforce entry.

How Do Students Attend?

Attendance Status Distribution

Full-Time Students 17,227 (96.7%)

96.7%

Part-Time Students 585 (3.3%)

Total Students 17,812

Predominantly full-time students (96.7%), typical of traditional academic programs.

Full-Time

Part-Time

Most students (87.2%) attend full-time, indicating a traditional college experience focused on academics.

Who Are the Students?

Student Demographics

Gender Distribution

Women

51.1%

10,102 students

Men

48.9%

9,662 students

Race/Ethnicity Distribution

Primary Ethnic Group

White

31.0%

6,121 students

White

31.0% (6,121)

Hispanic/Latino

27.1% (5,359)

Asian

23.3% (4,608)

Two or More Races

8.1% (1,599)

International Students

6.0% (1,192)

Black/African American

1.9% (382)

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

0.1% (24)

American Indian/Alaska Native

0.1% (18)

Demographics Summary

Gender: Balanced gender distribution across 19,764 students

Largest Ethnic Group: White students make up 31% of the student body (6,121 students)

The student body reflects diverse backgrounds and demographics.

Interested in Academic Quality & Learning Environment?

Explore retention rates, student-faculty ratios, distance education options, and academic intensity on our dedicated Academics page.

View Academics Page

How Are Students Distributed by Level?

Undergraduate students

17,812 students

48% Men, 52% Women

17,227 Full-time 585 Part-time

Diversity Index: 75% • Minority Students: 55%

Graduate students

1,952 students

54% Men, 46% Women

1,893 Full-time 59 Part-time

Diversity Index: 75% • Minority Students: 28%

What Are the Attendance Patterns?

Full-Time Students

All Full-Time

19,120

All full-time students

9,295 men, 9,825 women

Diversity: 77%

FT Undergraduate

17,227

Full-time undergraduate

8,286 men, 8,941 women

Diversity: 75%

FT Degree-Seeking

17,227

Full-time degree/certificate-seeking

8,286 men, 8,941 women

Diversity: 75%

FT First-Time

4,365

Full-time first-time students

1,948 men, 2,417 women

Diversity: 76%

FT Continuing

12,862

Full-time continuing students

6,338 men, 6,524 women

Diversity: 75%

FT Transfer

1,104

Full-time transfer students

604 men, 500 women

Diversity: 73%

FT Continuing

11,758

Full-time other continuing

5,734 men, 6,024 women

Diversity: 75%

FT Graduate

1,893

Full-time graduate students

1,009 men, 884 women

Diversity: 75%

Part-Time Students

All Part-Time

644

All part-time students

367 men, 277 women

Diversity: 74%

PT Undergraduate

585

Part-time undergraduate

330 men, 255 women

Diversity: 74%

PT Degree-Seeking

585

Part-time degree/certificate-seeking

330 men, 255 women

Diversity: 74%

PT First-Time

Part-time first-time students

8 men, 8 women

Diversity: 70%

PT Continuing

569

Part-time continuing students

322 men, 247 women

Diversity: 74%

PT Transfer

Part-time transfer students

7 men, 4 women

Diversity: 63%

PT Continuing

558

Part-time other continuing

315 men, 243 women

Diversity: 74%

PT Graduate

Part-time graduate students

37 men, 22 women

Diversity: 79%

Understanding Student Categories

First-Time: Students starting their first postsecondary program

Continuing: Students who previously enrolled and are returning

Transfer: Students who transferred from other institutions

Degree-Seeking: Students enrolled in certificate or degree programs

Non-Degree: Students taking courses without pursuing a formal credential

What Is the Diversity Picture?

Undergraduate students

5,483

White

348

Black/African American

5,077

Hispanic/Latino

4,390

Asian

552

International

Diversity Index: 75% Minority Students: 55%

Graduate students

638

White

Black/African American

282

Hispanic/Latino

218

Asian

640

International

Diversity Index: 75% Minority Students: 28%

Want to See Student Success & Outcomes?

Explore completion rates, transfer patterns, and detailed 8-year student outcome tracking on our dedicated Student Outcomes page.

View Student Outcomes

Student Life & Campus Experience

Diverse Student Community

Students from various backgrounds come together to learn career-focused skills in a supportive environment.

Flexible Scheduling

Many students balance work and family commitments with their studies through part-time and evening programs.

Career-Focused Learning

Students are goal-oriented, seeking practical skills and credentials that lead directly to employment opportunities.

Explore More About University of California-Santa Cruz

College Overview

General information

Programs & Degrees

Available study options

Admissions

Requirements & process

AI-generated illustration of diverse students on a college campus with enrollment statistics, charts showing student demographics, attendance patterns, and campus life activities

Key Takeaways About University of California-Santa Cruz's Student Body

• Training Environment: Large institution with 19,764 students offering extensive programs and state-of-the-art facilities.

• Study Patterns: Primarily full-time students (87.2%) in a traditional academic setting.

• Academic Intensity: 20,507 FTE students indicates predominantly full-time academic commitment.

• Learning Format: Hybrid learning approach with 66% taking some online courses.

• Academic Environment: Good student-faculty ratio (22:1) allows for meaningful instructor interaction.

• Student Diversity: Highly diverse student body with excellent representation across ethnic and racial groups.

• Learning Environment: Students benefit from career-focused education with hands-on training, experienced instructors, and support services designed to help them achieve their professional goals.

• Community: The student body includes diverse learners from various backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where students can network and learn from each other's experiences.

Get Information

Visit Website Admissions Office College Overview

Contact Information

Phone

8314590111

Address

1156 High St

Santa Cruz, CA 95064-1011

Student Success

The student body at colleges often includes:

• Working adults seeking career changes
• Recent high school graduates
• Military veterans using education benefits
• Students upgrading skills in their field
• Individuals seeking fast-track credentials