In 2022, 2.4% of Santa Cruz County students played sports on collegiate teams, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
The county’s universities were represented by 246 men and 233 women who played for one or more sports teams in 2022. This does not include students playing intramural sports.
Most of Santa Cruz County students (292) played for University of California-Santa Cruz during this period.
Santa Cruz County did not provide any athletically related financial aid in 2022.
Data shows that soccer was the most popular sport played, followed by football, swimming and diving.
Students who play sports often have higher graduation rates than non-athletes. More female than male athletes graduate.
The average institutional gift aid for student-athletes is $17,000, with 80% of them receive some kind of academic grant or need-based scholarship.
| Institution | Total Enrollment | Student-athletes Enrollment | Student-athletes ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-Santa Cruz | 17,087 | 292 | 58.5 |
| Cabrillo College | 2,842 | 187 | 15.2 |
