UC Santa Cruz combines the resources of a major research university with the advantages of a small college setting. At UCSC, students have the opportunity to engage in in-depth learning while pursuing research and scholarship with leading figures in their fields. Described as one of the most beautiful campuses in the world, UCSC has a reputation for excellence, with nationally ranked, rigorous academic programs. UCSC faculty have made significant contributions to research, demonstrating that cutting-edge research and high-quality teaching are mutually supportive.
University of California, Santa Cruz has 19 subjects ranked in the 2025 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects, with its best ranked subjects being Physics (#51-75), Oceanography (#51-75), Ecology (#76-100), Biological Sciences (#76-100), Mathematics (#101-150), Earth Sciences (#101-150), Geography (#151-200) and Statistics (#151-200).
Decode Your University's Ranking Data
| Subject | Rank |
|---|---|
Physics | 51-75 |
Oceanography | 51-75 |
Ecology | 76-100 |
Biological Sciences | 76-100 |
Mathematics | 101-150 |
Earth Sciences | 101-150 |
Geography | 151-200 |
Statistics | 151-200 |


| Undergraduate Programs |
|---|
Anthropology |
Applied Physics |
Art |
Biochemistry and Molecularbiology |
Bioengineering |
Bioinformatics |
Biology |
Business Management Economics |
Chemistry |
Classical Studies |
Cognitive Science |
Computer Engineering |
Computer Science |
Computer Science Computer Game Design |
Earth and Planetary Sciences |
Ecology and Evolution |
Economics Education and Teaching |
Electrical Engineering |
Environmental Studies |
Feminist Studies |
Film and Digital Media |
Global Economics |
History |
History of Art and Visual Culture |
Human Biology |
Jewish Studies |
Language Studies |
Latin American and Latino Studies |
Legal Studies |
Linguistics |
Literature |
Marine Biology |
Mathematics |
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology |
Music |
Network and Digital Technology |
Neuroscience |
Philosophy |
Plant Sciences |
Politics |
Psychology |
Robotics Engineering |
Sociology |
Technology and Information Management |
Theater Arts |
Writing |
Agroecology |
Applied Linguistics and Multilingualism |
Applied Mathematics |
Art and Design: Games and Playable Media |
Biotechnology |
Community Studies |
Critical Race and Ethnic Studies |
Education, Democracy, and Justice |
Global and Community Health |
Mathematics Education |
Mathematics Theory and Computation |
Microbiology |
Physics |
Physics (Astrophysics) |
Science Education |
Spanish Studies |
| Graduate Programs |
|---|
Anthropology |
Applied Economics and Finance |
Biology: Ecology and Evolutionary |
Biology: Molecular, Cell, and Developmental |
Biomolecular Engineering & Bioinformatics |
Chemistry and Biochemistry |
Computer Engineering |
Computer Science |
Digital Arts/New Media |
Earth and Planetary Sciences |
Education |
Electrical Engineering |
History |
Linguistics |
Literature |
Mathematics |
Microbiology & Environmental Toxicology |
Music |
Ocean Sciences |
Physics |
Social Documentation |
Technology & Information Management |
Applied Mathematics |
Astronomy and Astrophysics |
Computational Media |
Coastal Science and Policy |
Ecology and Evolutionary Biology |
Economics |
Environmental Art and Social Practice |
Environmental Studies |
Feminist Studies |
Film and Digital Media |
Games and Playable Media |
History of Consciousness |
Human Computer Interaction |
Latin American and Latino Studies |
Materials Science and Engineering |
Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology |
Natural Language Processing |
Philosophy |
Politics |
Psychology |
Science Communication |
Scientific Computing and Applied Mathematics |
Sociology |
Statistical Science |
Theater Arts |
Visual Studies |