Explore Communities
Whether you’re a first-year student, transfer student, graduate student, or living with family, you’ll find welcoming places to live and learn at UC Santa Cruz.
Browse and compare the different housing communities below—each section links to a detailed page where you can learn more about each location, room types, amenities, rates, and special features.
Residential Colleges
Each of UCSC’s 10 colleges has its own residential community with distinct architecture, culture, and traditions.
Who lives here: Incoming and continuing undergraduate students
Housing type: Residence halls and apartments (continuing students only)
Kitchen: Apartments only
Meal plan: Required in residence halls; not required in apartments
Transfer Community
Dedicated housing for transfer students, located at Porter College.
Who lives here: Incoming transfer students
Housing type: Residence halls and apartments (age 23+ only)
Kitchen: Apartments only
Meal plan: Required in residence halls; not required in apartments
The Village
A community of shared residential houses in UCSC’s Lower Quarry.
Who lives here: Incoming transfer and continuing students
Housing type: Shared houses
Kitchen: Yes
Meal plan: Not required
University Town Center
Apartment-style housing located in downtown Santa Cruz.
Who lives here: Incoming transfer and continuing students
Housing type: Studio apartments
Kitchen: Yes
Meal plan: Not required
Graduate Student Housing
Quiet, academic-focused apartments for graduate students.
Who lives here: Incoming and continuing graduate students
Housing type: Apartments
Kitchen: Yes
Meal plan: Not required
Family Student Housing
Apartments for students with families, with on-site childcare available.
Who lives here: Undergraduate and graduate students with families
Housing type: Apartments
Kitchen: Yes
Meal plan: Not required
Campuswide Theme Housing
These themed communities are open to students from any college and centered on shared interests, academics, and community engagement.
Location: Various locations across campus
Who lives here: Students of any college affiliation; check individual programs for details.
Note: Supplementary housing application questions required.
Options include: