UC Santa Cruz – A world-class public research institution comprised of ten residential college communities nestled in the redwoo
Source: https://ucsc.edu
Archived: 2026-04-23 15:35
UC Santa Cruz – A world-class public research institution comprised of ten residential college communities nestled in the redwood forests and meadows overlooking central California's Monterey Bay.
#1
in the nation for research influence
by
Clarivate
#6
for leadership in sustainability
by
Princeton Review
#22
America’s top public colleges
by
Forbes
Leading at the intersection of innovation and social justice.
A global research university with an uncommon emphasis on undergraduate research and education, UC Santa Cruz is part of the world’s most celebrated system of public higher education, and stands among the most renowned institutions of higher learning.
News
DESI completes largest high-resolution 3D map of universe to date
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has completed its originally planned five-year mission and mapped more than 47 million galaxies and quasars, and will continue observations into 2028 and further expand the map.
Art, ecology, and interconnection: UC Santa Cruz launches inaugural Earth Day festival
Professor Jennifer Parker organized the April 22 Arts & Ecology Festival as a space for gathering, exchange, and collective inquiry. The inaugural event brings together interdisciplinary research, visual and sonic practices, and performance to engage the urgencies of the environmental crisis—and invites the whole campus community to take part ahead of Earth Day.
Engineering student wins NVIDIA Agents for Impact Hackathon
The hackathon was part of the larger NVIDIA GTC event, a conference that some call the “Super Bowl of AI.” After taking the gold in the competition among around 300 participants, Karia also got the chance to speak with NVIDIA CEO and Co-Founder Jensen Huang.
See more news
Inspiring Change: The Campaign for UC Santa Cruz
Inspiring Change supports the entire university and spotlights its work on advancing five interconnected themes.
See all videos
To lead means
Creating real change
Students at UC Santa Cruz learn from incredible faculty, develop new skills through hands-on research opportunities, and have a track record of making an impact. What kind of a pathbreaker, innovator, or changemaker will you become?
Chart your course
Serving our society
World-class researchers at UC Santa Cruz unlock mysteries and help to transform our world, addressing some of our most pressing needs—from decoding cancer to protecting our natural environment to creating art that challenges assumptions. What will you contribute?
Learn about our impact
Shaping our future
A global community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we are committed to climate and economic resiliency for our local and coastal environments through multidisciplinary research, and sustainable and equitable practices.
Build a stronger world
Become a Banana Slug, and lead the change.
Get ready for your future
UC Santa Cruz graduates are sought after for their knowledge, skills, and passion. Whether you plan to start working right away, or pursue graduate school or professional school, your UC Santa Cruz degree will help you on your way.
Explore our majors and start your future.
See for yourself
One of the most extraordinary campuses in the world, UC Santa Cruz pairs high-impact research with 10 residential colleges—offering students the experience of a small liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university.
Take a tour virtually or in person.
Here to help
A UC degree is worth it—and we can help you pay for it. Our financial aid program is one of the best out there. It supports students in all kinds of ways, whatever their background—with grants, scholarships, low-interest loans, and more.
Get the details on different kinds of financial aid
.
Your journey awaits.
When you become a Banana Slug, you join a community of artists, innovators, creators,
and justice seekers united in using their voices to change the world.
Apply now
Last modified: Apr 21, 2026
#1
in the nation for research influence
by
Clarivate
#6
for leadership in sustainability
by
Princeton Review
#22
America’s top public colleges
by
Forbes
Leading at the intersection of innovation and social justice.
A global research university with an uncommon emphasis on undergraduate research and education, UC Santa Cruz is part of the world’s most celebrated system of public higher education, and stands among the most renowned institutions of higher learning.
News
DESI completes largest high-resolution 3D map of universe to date
The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) has completed its originally planned five-year mission and mapped more than 47 million galaxies and quasars, and will continue observations into 2028 and further expand the map.
Art, ecology, and interconnection: UC Santa Cruz launches inaugural Earth Day festival
Professor Jennifer Parker organized the April 22 Arts & Ecology Festival as a space for gathering, exchange, and collective inquiry. The inaugural event brings together interdisciplinary research, visual and sonic practices, and performance to engage the urgencies of the environmental crisis—and invites the whole campus community to take part ahead of Earth Day.
Engineering student wins NVIDIA Agents for Impact Hackathon
The hackathon was part of the larger NVIDIA GTC event, a conference that some call the “Super Bowl of AI.” After taking the gold in the competition among around 300 participants, Karia also got the chance to speak with NVIDIA CEO and Co-Founder Jensen Huang.
See more news
Inspiring Change: The Campaign for UC Santa Cruz
Inspiring Change supports the entire university and spotlights its work on advancing five interconnected themes.
See all videos
To lead means
Creating real change
Students at UC Santa Cruz learn from incredible faculty, develop new skills through hands-on research opportunities, and have a track record of making an impact. What kind of a pathbreaker, innovator, or changemaker will you become?
Chart your course
Serving our society
World-class researchers at UC Santa Cruz unlock mysteries and help to transform our world, addressing some of our most pressing needs—from decoding cancer to protecting our natural environment to creating art that challenges assumptions. What will you contribute?
Learn about our impact
Shaping our future
A global community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, we are committed to climate and economic resiliency for our local and coastal environments through multidisciplinary research, and sustainable and equitable practices.
Build a stronger world
Become a Banana Slug, and lead the change.
Get ready for your future
UC Santa Cruz graduates are sought after for their knowledge, skills, and passion. Whether you plan to start working right away, or pursue graduate school or professional school, your UC Santa Cruz degree will help you on your way.
Explore our majors and start your future.
See for yourself
One of the most extraordinary campuses in the world, UC Santa Cruz pairs high-impact research with 10 residential colleges—offering students the experience of a small liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university.
Take a tour virtually or in person.
Here to help
A UC degree is worth it—and we can help you pay for it. Our financial aid program is one of the best out there. It supports students in all kinds of ways, whatever their background—with grants, scholarships, low-interest loans, and more.
Get the details on different kinds of financial aid
.
Your journey awaits.
When you become a Banana Slug, you join a community of artists, innovators, creators,
and justice seekers united in using their voices to change the world.
Apply now
Last modified: Apr 21, 2026