2026 UC Admissions Data Update: UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, and UC Merced

UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, and UC Merced have released their freshman admissions data for fall 2026. Their overall admission rates reached 82.1%, 84%, and 94.9%, respectively, making them relatively accessible campuses within the UC system.

However, high campuswide admission rates do not mean that every student can apply without careful preparation. The average unweighted GPA of admitted UCSC students was still 3.7. Applications to UCR were concentrated in popular fields such as biology, business, psychology, and engineering. UC Merced is also adding popular undergraduate programs in artificial intelligence and computer science.

For students hoping to improve their chances of receiving a UC admission offer through these three universities, major selection and course preparation still require careful planning.

UC Santa Cruz: The Admission Rate Rises to 82.1% as Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning Expand

UC Santa Cruz received 79,048 freshman applications this year and admitted 64,879 students. The university expects 4,902 students to enroll. Its overall admission rate was 82.1%, an increase of 9.4 percentage points from last year’s rate of 72.7%.

Admitted students had an average weighted and capped GPA of 4.0 and an average unweighted GPA of 3.7. First generation college students represented 30% of the admitted class, while 33% came from low income families.

An admission rate of 82.1% indicates that UCSC was relatively accessible this year. However, the average unweighted GPA of 3.7 also shows that the university continues to maintain academic expectations. UCSC may be a relatively secure UC option for students with some Bs on their transcripts, but course rigor, preparation for the intended major, and application content can still affect the result.

UCSC’s major updates this year focus not on new academic programs, but on expanded opportunities for undergraduate research and practical experience. The university introduced Degree Defining Experiences, an initiative that provides experiential learning outside the classroom. Opportunities include overnight programs at Lick Observatory, research diving certification, cancer bioinformatics research, and field based photography courses.

These programs allow students to engage with research and professional applications earlier in their undergraduate education. For students hoping to participate in laboratory work, field research, or interdisciplinary projects, these opportunities may offer more practical value than simply adding more courses.

A satellite built independently by UCSC students was also deployed from the International Space Station for the first time. For students interested in engineering, physics, or computer science, this is a concrete example of undergraduate project achievement. It also demonstrates that students can participate in large technical projects at UCSC.

The university has announced that it will introduce an Honors Program, although application procedures and program requirements have not yet been released. UCSC has also stated that it will begin accepting students through the Associate Degree for Transfer pathway, with further details to come.

UCSC also introduced the Sabatte Family Scholarship. This full scholarship is available to incoming California residents who demonstrate both strong academic performance and financial need. After other grants and scholarships are applied, the scholarship can cover the remaining cost of attendance, including tuition, housing, meals, and course materials.

This is not a traditional merit scholarship based only on academic achievement. Financial need is an explicit requirement, making it most relevant to academically strong California students whose families may have difficulty covering college costs.

UCSC is also expanding undergraduate housing. The Kresge College renewal project will add 993 undergraduate beds. Of these, 223 are scheduled to become available during the 2026 to 2027 academic year, with the remaining beds opening gradually during 2027 to 2028.

The Delaware Avenue housing project opened in fall 2026 and can accommodate more than 350 upper division undergraduate students and more than 60 faculty and staff members. Student housing costs are expected to be approximately 20% below nearby market rates.

The Bay Tree Building is expected to reopen in fall 2027 with study areas, gathering spaces, dining options, a campus store, and a student resource center. The Heller Drive Development is planned to open in fall 2029 and is expected to house approximately 3,000 students. It will also include a market, cafe, fitness center, and study spaces.

For students who want a more secure UC admission result while also valuing undergraduate research, the campus environment, and the residential experience, UCSC is worth serious consideration. Its admission rate is relatively accessible, but the university offers more than a backup result. Its undergraduate research and experiential learning resources continue to expand.

UC Riverside: The Admission Rate Reaches 84% as a New Interdisciplinary Computer Science Major Is Introduced

UC Riverside received 72,542 freshman applications this year and admitted 63,875 students. Its overall admission rate was 84%, and the university expects 6,625 students to enroll.

The admission rate decreased by three percentage points from last year’s rate of 87%. Applications increased by 1,699, while the number of admitted students rose by 2,221. The lower admission rate largely reflects the unusually high rate of 87% last year and does not mean that UCR suddenly became much more selective.

UCR admitted 1,502 students from the waitlist, while eight students were admitted through appeals. First generation college students represented 42% of admitted students, and 35% came from low income families.

The overall admission rate of 84% still makes UCR a relatively secure option within the UC system. However, students should not assume that every major has the same level of competition as the universitywide data. UCR receives the most applications in popular fields such as biology, business, psychology, engineering, and computer science.

The majors receiving the most applications this year included Biology, Business Analytics, Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemistry, Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology, Business Economics, Computer Science, and Political Science.

These majors cover life sciences, business, social sciences, computer science, and engineering, showing that UCR can serve students with a wide range of interests. However, applications remain concentrated in popular fields, so relevant coursework and activities are still important. Students interested in computer science, mechanical engineering, business analytics, or biology should not evaluate their chances based only on the overall admission rate of 84%.

UCR will introduce a new undergraduate program in Computer Science with Applications in fall 2027. The major will offer three areas of emphasis: Business, Health, and Psychology. Each pathway connects computer science with a different applied field.

For students who want to study technology but do not want to follow a traditional computer science curriculum exclusively, this major offers a clearer interdisciplinary option. Students can choose an area of application based on the industry they hope to enter.

The university will also add majors in Genetics and Molecular Biotechnology and Education, Society, and Human Development. The education program can be combined with preparation for a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, making it suitable for students interested in elementary education who want to begin teacher certification preparation during college.

A new Undergraduate Teaching and Learning Facility will open in fall 2026, providing modern classrooms and collaborative spaces. UCR has also redesigned its academic program website to help students connect their personal interests and career goals with available majors.

The university is also expanding its medical and health resources. UCR Health will add an outpatient diagnostic center, further increasing the range of clinical services available around the university. For students interested in health, medicine, or life sciences, this means that nearby medical and practical learning resources are continuing to grow.

UCR is also partnering with Cisco to develop smart and resilient technology solutions for environmental challenges in Southern California. These projects connect technical applications with real environmental problems and provide clearer interdisciplinary contexts for students interested in engineering, computer science, or environmental studies.

Overall, UCR’s most practical advantages remain its relatively accessible admission process and broad range of majors. The new Computer Science with Applications major and expanded health resources also make the university more than simply an option for improving the likelihood of UC admission.

For students who want to keep popular fields such as computer science, business, health, or psychology available while controlling overall application risk, UCR offers clear value.

UC Merced: The Admission Rate Approaches 95% as New Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science Majors Are Introduced

UC Merced received 49,131 freshman applications this year and admitted 46,630 students. Its overall admission rate was 94.9%, and the university expects 2,700 students to enroll. Among admitted students, 46.2% were first generation college students and 44.6% were eligible for Pell Grants.

The university reported an admitted student GPA range of 3.57 to 4.16. However, the official data did not specify whether these figures were weighted or unweighted, so this range should not be compared directly with a specific GPA category reported by other UC campuses.

Still, the lower end of the range at 3.57 shows that students without straight A transcripts can receive admission offers. For students who have completed the basic UC course requirements and want to secure admission to at least one UC campus, UC Merced can serve as a practical safety option.

The most important change at UC Merced this year is the addition of two undergraduate programs in the School of Engineering: a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence and a B.S. in Computer Science. Transfer applications for the Artificial Intelligence major will open in 2028, so the program is currently most relevant to freshman applicants.

In the past, many families primarily viewed UC Merced as a safety school within the UC system. With independent undergraduate majors in artificial intelligence and computer science, the university now offers clearer academic value for students who want to enter the computing field while maintaining greater admission certainty.

Admission to computer science at the traditionally more popular UC campuses is usually highly competitive. UC Merced’s new programs provide another option. Students can still pursue artificial intelligence or computer science without concentrating all their applications in programs with very low admission rates.

UC Merced has also gained full NCAA Division II membership, allowing its athletic teams to participate in a more complete NCAA competition system. This is an important change in campus life for students who want to continue competing in college athletics.

The university also introduced Experiences by SSHA Degrees for students in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Through connections with alumni, the program helps students explore careers, build professional networks, and understand the employment paths associated with different majors.

UC Merced’s Experimental Smart Farm uses campus tours and practical demonstrations to introduce smart agriculture technology. It provides a more direct learning environment for students interested in agriculture, environmental studies, or engineering. The project is also closely connected to the agricultural economy surrounding the university.

These updates reflect UC Merced’s current stage of development. The university is relatively small, but undergraduates may find it easier to access projects, alumni, and practical opportunities. For proactive students who want to participate in research or projects early in college, a smaller campus is not necessarily a disadvantage.

If a student’s main goal is to secure admission to at least one UC campus, UC Merced remains the most reliable safety option. Its admission rate of 94.9% and reported GPA range of 3.57 to 4.16 both indicate that it is more accessible to students without straight A transcripts.

For students interested in artificial intelligence or computer science, the new independent undergraduate majors also make UC Merced more than simply a place to secure an admission offer. It may be a suitable option for students who want to enter a popular field without taking on excessive admissions risk.

How to Understand the Position of the Three Universities

UCSC, UCR, and UC Merced all have relatively high overall admission rates, but they do not serve exactly the same types of students.

UCSC has an admission rate of 82.1%, while admitted students still have an average unweighted GPA of 3.7. The university is expanding undergraduate research, experiential learning, and housing resources. It may suit students seeking a relatively secure UC result while also valuing campus life and early participation in undergraduate projects.

UCR has an admission rate of 84%, offers a broad range of majors, and is introducing interdisciplinary programs that connect computer science with business, health, and psychology. It may be a strong option for students who want to keep popular academic fields available without concentrating all their applications at higher risk campuses.

UC Merced has an admission rate of 94.9%, making it the strongest safety option among the three. With new majors in artificial intelligence and computer science, it also provides more specific academic choices for students interested in technology.

Students should not overlook preparation simply because these universities have high overall admission rates. Meeting UC course requirements, developing a clear academic direction, and building activities that support the intended major can still affect both admission outcomes and the student’s academic experience after enrollment.

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