Fall 2027 intake open · Expert call ₹355 →

VisaEduLoans - Dream | Plan | Achieve

🇺🇸 USA · head to head

UC Santa Cruz vs UMD

University of California, Santa Cruz and University of Maryland, College Park are close in cost for Indian students. Here's how they compare on fees, living costs, programs and funding.

  • UC Santa Cruz: ₹1.06 crore – ₹1.3 crore
  • UMD: ₹1.08 crore – ₹1.24 crore
  • UMD cheaper by ≈ ₹1.9 lakh
  • 1 shared programs

Talk to an expert

Get help choosing

A counsellor replies on WhatsApp with your checklist and next steps

By continuing you agree to be contacted by Visa Edu Loans on WhatsApp and phone about your enquiry. We never share your details. Privacy

Prefer WhatsApp? Message us directly

Quick answer

UC Santa Cruz or UMD: which is better for Indian students?

UMD costs less: about ₹1.08 crore – ₹1.24 crore in total versus ₹1.06 crore – ₹1.3 crore for UC Santa Cruz — a difference of roughly ₹1.9 lakh. UC Santa Cruz is known for CS and computer engineering near Silicon Valley; UMD for engineering and the Smith School near Washington DC. Both offer Computer Science, so compare those program pages side by side.

Ask on WhatsAppUpdated · Reviewed by the Visa Edu Loans admissions & finance desk

Official sources: University of California, Santa Cruz — official website · University of Maryland, College Park — official website

UC Santa Cruz vs UMD

Total cost
UC Santa Cruz: ₹1.06 crore – ₹1.3 crore · UMD: ₹1.08 crore – ₹1.24 crore
Location
UC Santa Cruz: Santa Cruz, CA · UMD: College Park, MD
Type
UC Santa Cruz: Public · UMD: Public

Side by side

UC Santa Cruz vs UMD: the numbers

UC Santa Cruz vs UMD: the numbers
ItemUC Santa CruzUMD
CitySanta Cruz, CACollege Park, MD
TypePublicPublic
Known forCS and computer engineering near Silicon ValleyEngineering and the Smith School near Washington DC
Tuition$28,000 – $40,000 a year$30,000 – $38,000 a year
Living costs used$27,000 a year$26,000 a year
Total in ₹₹1.06 crore – ₹1.3 crore₹1.08 crore – ₹1.24 crore
Programs we coverComputer Science, Computer EngineeringComputer Science, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Cyber Security, Business Analytics, Information Systems (MIS)
Official websiteucsc.eduumd.edu

How to decide

Choosing between them

Pick UC Santa Cruz if…

You want CS and computer engineering near Silicon Valley and life in Santa Cruz.

Pick UMD if…

You want engineering and the Smith School near Washington DC and life in Washington DC & Northern Virginia.

Cost

UMD saves about ₹1.9 lakh over the program on our figures.

Your program

Compare the Computer Science curricula, electives and outcomes.

Living costs

Living costs in each city

Living costs in each city
CityRoom a monthYearly budget
Santa Cruz$1,100 – $1,600$24,200 – $30,200
Washington DC & Northern Virginia$1,000 – $1,500$23,000 – $29,000

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Still have a question?

Ask a counsellor directly — we reply on WhatsApp during working hours (Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST).

UMD, by about ₹1.9 lakh in total on our figures (₹1.08 crore – ₹1.24 crore vs ₹1.06 crore – ₹1.3 crore).

Neither is better for everyone. UC Santa Cruz is known for CS and computer engineering near Silicon Valley; UMD for engineering and the Smith School near Washington DC. Compare the specific program, location and cost.

Yes — lenders fund both. Most families borrow 70–90% of the total cost.

Talk to an expert

Talk to a counsellor today

Share your profile — we reply with a checklist and next steps. Expert consultations over call start at ₹355.

Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST

Request a call back

By continuing you agree to be contacted by Visa Edu Loans on WhatsApp and phone about your enquiry. We never share your details. Privacy

Prefer WhatsApp? Message us directly
Call WhatsApp Loan check Expert ₹355