UMich vs UC Santa Cruz

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Choosing the right college can be a challenging task, as there are various factors to consider. This comprehensive comparison between UMich (University of Michigan) and UC Santa Cruz (University of California, Santa Cruz) aims to provide relevant information to help prospective students make an informed decision. The comparison covers multiple aspects such as costs, admissions, academics, and outcomes.

CollegeRanker is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

UMich Overview

The University of Michigan, located in Ann Arbor, is a public research university founded in 1817. It is renowned for its strong academic programs, research opportunities, and vibrant campus life. With over 50,000 students and more than 275 degree programs, UMich is one of the largest universities in the country.

UMich Costs & Tuition

In-state tuition at UMich is approximately $15,948, while out-of-state students pay around $54,097. The average cost of living on campus is $11,996, which includes room and board, personal expenses, and transportation.

UMich Admissions

UMich has a competitive admissions process with an acceptance rate of around 23%. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score between 1340-1530 and an ACT score between 31-34. The application deadline for UMich is November 1 for early action and February 1 for regular decision.

UMich Degrees Offered

UMich offers over 275 degree programs across 19 schools and colleges. Some popular majors include Engineering, Business, Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, and Health Professions.

UMich Academics

The University of Michigan is renowned for its high-quality academic programs and research opportunities. With a student-faculty ratio of 15:1, students can expect personalized attention and mentorship from faculty members. UMich also provides numerous resources and support services to help students succeed academically.

UMich Diversity

UMich has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. About 14% of the student population are international students. The university is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion through various programs and initiatives.

UMich Students

UMich has a total enrollment of over 50,000 students, including approximately 30,000 undergraduate and 20,000 graduate students. The university offers a wide range of clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities, providing students with ample opportunities to get involved and pursue their interests outside the classroom.

UMich Campus

The University of Michigan’s campus is spread across 3,200 acres in Ann Arbor, offering a picturesque and lively environment. The campus is home to numerous research facilities, libraries, recreational centers, and residence halls, providing students with a well-rounded college experience.

UMich Alumni

UMich has a strong alumni network, with over 620,000 living alumni worldwide. Some notable UMich alumni include former U.S. President Gerald Ford, Google co-founder Larry Page, and actress Lucy Liu.

UMich Rankings

UMich is consistently ranked among the top public universities in the United States. According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report, UMich is ranked 3rd among public universities and 23rd overall in the National Universities category.

UMich Outcomes

UMich boasts a strong track record of graduate success, with a six-year graduation rate of 92% and a post-graduation employment rate of 96%. The average starting salary for UMich graduates is around $62,000.

UC Santa Cruz Overview

The University of California, Santa Cruz, is a public research university founded in 1965. Located on 2,000 acres of rolling hills overlooking the Monterey Bay, UC Santa Cruz offers a unique and beautiful campus environment. The university is known for its diverse academic programs, strong research initiatives, and commitment to social justice and sustainability.

UC Santa Cruz Costs & Tuition

In-state tuition at UC Santa Cruz is approximately $13,962, while out-of-state students pay around $43,114. The average cost of living on campus is $14,759, which includes room and board, personal expenses, and transportation.

UC Santa Cruz Admissions

UC Santa Cruz has an acceptance rate of around 52%, making it a moderately selective institution. The middle 50% of admitted students have an SAT score between 1150-1370 and an ACT score between 24-31. The application deadline for UC Santa Cruz is November 30 for regular decision.

UC Santa Cruz Degrees Offered

UC Santa Cruz offers over 65 undergraduate majors and 40 graduate programs across 10 divisions and schools. Popular majors include Social Sciences, Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Computer and Information Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts.

UC Santa Cruz Academics

UC Santa Cruz is known for its interdisciplinary approach to learning and its commitment to undergraduate research. With a student-faculty ratio of 19:1, students can expect a supportive learning environment that encourages collaboration and critical thinking.

UC Santa Cruz Diversity

UC Santa Cruz has a diverse student body, with students from various ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic backgrounds. The university is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and welcoming campus community through various programs, resources, and initiatives.

UC Santa Cruz Students

UC Santa Cruz has a total enrollment of over 19,000 students, including approximately 16,000 undergraduate and 3,000 graduate students. The university offers a wide range of clubs, organizations, and extracurricular activities, allowing students to explore their interests and develop new skills.

UC Santa Cruz Campus

UC Santa Cruz’s campus is located on 2,000 acres of forested hills overlooking the Monterey Bay. The campus features numerous research facilities, libraries, recreational spaces, and residence halls, providing students with a well-rounded college experience.

UC Santa Cruz Alumni

UC Santa Cruz has an active alumni community, with over 140,000 living alumni worldwide. Some notable UC Santa Cruz alumni include filmmaker Cary Fukunaga and astrophysicist Natalie Batalha.

UC Santa Cruz Rankings

According to the 2022 U.S. News & World Report, UC Santa Cruz is ranked 28th among public universities and 90th overall in the National Universities category.

UC Santa Cruz Outcomes

UC Santa Cruz has a six-year graduation rate of 77% and a post-graduation employment rate of 88%. The average starting salary for UC Santa Cruz graduates is around $52,000.

UMich vs UC Santa Cruz Cost Comparison

In-state tuition rates at both UMich and UC Santa Cruz are relatively similar, with UMich costing approximately $15,948 and UC Santa Cruz costing around $13,962. However, out-of-state tuition rates differ significantly, with UMich charging about $54,097 compared to UC Santa Cruz’s $43,114.

When considering the cost of living on campus, UC Santa Cruz’s average cost of $14,759 is slightly higher than UMich’s $11,996. Overall, while in-state tuition rates are comparable, out-of-state students may find UC Santa Cruz more affordable in terms of tuition and fees.

UMich vs UC Santa Cruz Admissions Difficulty

UMich has a more competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 23%, compared to UC Santa Cruz’s acceptance rate of 52%. Additionally, UMich has higher average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students, indicating a more selective admissions process.

While both schools are well-regarded, prospective students may find it more challenging to gain admission to UMich due to its lower acceptance rate and higher test score requirements.

UMich vs UC Santa Cruz Academic Difficulty

Both universities are respected for their academic programs and research opportunities. UMich is known for its larger range of degree offerings and highly-ranked programs in fields such as engineering, business, and social sciences, while UC Santa Cruz is recognized for its interdisciplinary approach to learning and commitment to undergraduate research.

In terms of academic rigor, both schools provide a challenging and supportive learning environment, though UMich may be considered more competitive due to its higher national rankings and more prestigious programs.

UMich vs UC Santa Cruz Outcome Comparison

UMich has a higher six-year graduation rate (92%) compared to UC Santa Cruz (77%). Furthermore, UMich boasts a higher post-graduation employment rate (96%) than UC Santa Cruz (88%). Additionally, the average starting salary for UMich graduates is around $62,000, which is approximately $10,000 higher than the average starting salary for UC Santa Cruz graduates ($52,000).

Based on these outcome indicators, UMich appears to offer a stronger return on investment and better post-graduation prospects for its students compared to UC Santa Cruz.