Frequently Asked Questions

What are the prerequisites to apply?
Please see admissions page.

Do you accept GRE or GMAT?
We only accept the GRE for the Ph.D. program.

What is the average GRE score?
The current median GRE score for recently admitted students (the past 2 entering cohorts) is 94th percentile quantitative and 70th percentile verbal. These correspond to raw scores of roughly 166-167 quantitative and 158 verbal. The bottom range of the quantitative GRE score distribution is around the 85th percentile.

Is there a minimum GPA requirement?
The minimum GPA requirement is 3.0. The median GPA for enrolled students is 3.69/4.0.

How many students are admitted? How many are admitted with funding?
Admissions into the Ph.D. program is very competitive. We receive over 200 applications per year for a target entering class of about 10. 

Students admitted to the program are eligible for the 5 year graduate student funding package which is detailed in Graduate Admissions Financial Support. 

I am not an economics major, can I still apply?
Yes; but you should have a strong intermediate knowledge of the subject. Please see our admissions requirements page.

What are the TOEFL/IELTS requirements?
Applicants from countries where English is not the primary language must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores. A minimum score of 83 (iBT) is required for admission. For those choosing to take the IELTS, a minimum overall score of 7 from the IELTS test is required for admission. An applicant will need to retake the exam if their score is from more than two years ago.

I am not a native English speaker. Am I eligible to be a teaching assistant?
International students who wish to be considered for teaching assistant opportunities must score a 26 or higher on the Spoken Word portion of the internet-based test. If they take the IELTS test, they must receive a score of 8 or higher in the speaking portion. They will be required to take an English course if their scores do not meet the minimum threshold.

Can the TOEFL requirement be waived?
Applicants may request the waiver of TOEFL/IELTS in the application. For waiver criteria and how to request the waiver in the application, please refer to Graduate Admissions Language Requirements.

What is the cost of attending UCSC?
Please see the registrar's website.

The 5 year graduate student funding package covers in state tuition, fees and health insurance.

Can I finish prerequisites when I get to UCSC?
No, you must have met all requirement prior to joining UC Santa Cruz.

I am coming from India and my degree was only 3 years. Am I eligible for the program?
Eligibility requirements for students with a three-year bachelor's degree from India are specified in the "Students who have attended an institution in India" section of the Graduate Admissions International Applicant Information.

May I apply to more than one department or program?
No, you may apply for admissions to only one graduate program each academic year.