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University of California-San Diego

UCSD UC San Diego

La Jolla, California 92093

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Data last updated: May 29, 2026

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

Plan Your Visit

25%Acceptance
SAT Avg
33,787Students
19:1Student:Faculty
88%Grad Rate
$84,943Earnings 10yr
$11,750Net Price

Admissions

Acceptance Rate24.5%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.

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

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.

Debt & Aid Detail

Graduate w/ Zero Debt

76.0%

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

Incident Breakdown (2024)

66

Burglary

13

Aggravated Assault

9

Robbery

22

Motor Vehicle Theft

27

Sex Offenses

2

Arson

68

Drug Arrests

51

Liquor Arrests

Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).

Programs (190)

Student Life

Student Satisfaction

Retention Rate

94%

Positive

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
10 Years$84,943

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.

Rankings

U.S. News
#29
vs 2024
Forbes
#20
vs 2024
Wall Street Journal
#29
vs 2024
Washington Monthly
#24
vs 2024

More About This School

Varsity Sports

Volleyball teams

History & Fun Facts

  • The city voted to agree to its part of the deal in 1958, and the UC Board of Regents approved construction of the new campus in 1960.
  • UC San Diego was the first general campus of the University of California to be designed "from the top down" in terms of research emphasis.

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

Nearest Airports

SAN San Diego10 mi
LAX Los Angeles100 mi
LAS Las Vegas251 mi

Distance to Cities

Boston, MA2577 mi · ~74h 27m drive
New York, NY2427 mi · ~70h 7m drive
Hartford, CT2495 mi · ~72h 5m drive
Providence, RI2560 mi · ~73h 57m drive
Albany, NY2440 mi · ~70h 29m drive
Syracuse, NY2320 mi · ~67h 1m drive
Rochester, NY2247 mi · ~64h 55m drive
Buffalo, NY2182 mi · ~63h 2m drive
Philadelphia, PA2367 mi · ~68h 23m drive
Pittsburgh, PA2112 mi · ~61h 1m drive
Harrisburg, PA2276 mi · ~65h 45m drive
Newark, NJ2418 mi · ~69h 51m drive
Washington, DC2270 mi · ~65h 35m drive
Baltimore, MD2292 mi · ~66h 13m drive
Atlanta, GA1890 mi · ~54h 36m drive
Charlotte, NC2078 mi · ~60h 2m drive
Raleigh, NC2197 mi · ~63h 28m drive
Miami, FL2273 mi · ~65h 40m drive
Orlando, FL2141 mi · ~61h 51m drive
Tampa, FL2091 mi · ~60h 24m drive
Nashville, TN1741 mi · ~50h 18m drive
New Orleans, LA1610 mi · ~46h 31m drive
Richmond, VA2253 mi · ~65h 5m drive
Chicago, IL1730 mi · ~49h 59m drive
Detroit, MI1967 mi · ~56h 49m drive
Minneapolis, MN1527 mi · ~44h 7m drive
St. Louis, MO1561 mi · ~45h 6m drive
Kansas City, MO1333 mi · ~38h 31m drive
Indianapolis, IN1784 mi · ~51h 32m drive
Columbus, OH1952 mi · ~56h 23m drive
Cleveland, OH2029 mi · ~58h 37m drive
Milwaukee, WI1734 mi · ~50h 6m drive
Dallas, TX1185 mi · ~34h 14m drive
Houston, TX1306 mi · ~37h 44m drive
Austin, TX1160 mi · ~33h 31m drive
San Antonio, TX1132 mi · ~32h 42m drive
Los Angeles, CA100 mi · ~2h 53m drive
San Francisco, CA447 mi · ~12h 55m drive
San Diego, CA12 mi · ~21 min drive
Seattle, WA1052 mi · ~30h 23m drive
Portland, OR920 mi · ~26h 35m drive
Denver, CO829 mi · ~23h 57m drive
Phoenix, AZ301 mi · ~8h 42m drive
Salt Lake City, UT619 mi · ~17h 53m drive
Honolulu, HI2605 mi · ~75h 15m drive
Southern (mild winters, hot summers)

Deadline Calendar

University of California-San Diego Application Checklist

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