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University of California-San Diego

UCSD UC San Diego

La Jolla, California 92093

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Campus Vibe

Sciences-focusedLarge campusUrbanGreek life

Highly selective — top graduate earnings

University of California-San Diego is a public institution in La Jolla with particular strength in biology and engineering.

A large campus of 33.8K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.

88% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $84,943 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $11,750.

Established
1960
Motto
Fiat lux
Mascot
King Triton
Type
Public land-grant research university
Conference
Big West Conference
Division
Division II
25%Acceptance
SAT Avg
33,787Students
19:1Student:Faculty
88%Grad Rate
$84,943Earnings 10yr
$11,750Net Price

News & Alerts

program2026-03-15

University of California-San Diego Launches New Data Science Minor

tuition2026-02-28

Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27

Admissions

Acceptance Rate24.5%

Admissions Intel

Acceptance Rate

24.5%

Trend

Yield Rate

35.0%

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker Price

Tuition (in-state)$15,265
Tuition (out-of-state)$46,042
Room & Board$17,198
Books & Supplies$1,307
Total Cost of Attendance$36,325
Average Net Price$11,750
Median Debt at Graduation$15,500
Monthly Payment (10yr)$164

Net Price by Family Income

$0–30K$7,487
$30–48K$7,864
$48–75K$10,389
$75–110K$17,131
$110K+$28,113

Financial Intel

Avg Net Price

$11,750

Tuition Trend

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

7600.0%

Avg Tuition Increase

3.2%/yr

Median Debt at Grad

$14,778

Campus Safety

Total Incidents (2024)

258

Peer Average

240

3-Year Trend

Emergency System

24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system

Programs (190)

Student Life

Student Body

Undergrads
33,787
Gender Split
54% / 46%
Women / Men
First Generation
40%
Pell Grant Recipients
33%

Race & Ethnicity

White 18%
Black 2%
Hispanic 25%
Asian 34%
Two+ 6%
Int'l 12%

Outcomes

4-Year Graduation Rate87.6%
Freshman Retention93.9%

Median Earnings After Graduation

6 Years$65,669
8 Years$77,893
10 Years$84,943

10-Year Earnings by Gender

Women
$63,900
Men
$76,200

Rankings

U.S. News
#29
Wall Street Journal
#29
Washington Monthly
#24

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Rankings

History & Fun Facts

Source: Wikipedia

Location & Lifestyle

Cost of Living

163Very High

Estimated from CA state average + large city premium

Climate (School Year)

Snowfall: 0"Sunny days: 250Rainy days: 75

Nearest Cities

San Diegopop. 1.4M
12 mi(21 min)
Los Angelespop. 3.9M
100 mi(173 min)
Phoenixpop. 1.6M
301 mi(522 min)

Getting There

Visit Planning

Deadline Calendar

University of California-San Diego Application Checklist

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