University of California-San Diego
About University of California-San Diego
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
UC San Diego is a public research university in La Jolla, California, on the Pacific coast. It is one of the top research universities in the country, known for its programs in bioengineering, oceanography, computer science, and medicine.
Founded
1960
Location
La Jolla, California
Students
44,249
Institution
Public
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
26.7%
Very selective
Graduation Rate
86.1%
Above national average
In-State Tuition
$16,758
Out-of-state: $50,958
Avg Net Price
$12,470
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not Considered
Test-blind. Grades and essays decide
Median Earnings
$84,943
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Very Selective
About 4 students apply for every seat
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Blind
Application Fee
$80
Early
N/A
Deadline
Nov 30
University of California-San Diego is moderately selective at 26.7%. Meeting the academic requirements puts you in a good position to be admitted.
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
86.1% complete their degree within six years
Retention
94%
4-Year Grad
73%
6-Year Grad
89%
Teaching Quality
19:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
87.7%
$/Student
$26.1K
Class Size
Large
73% of students graduate on time, and 87.7% of courses are taught by full-time faculty. That personal instruction helps keep students on track.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$16,758
In-State
$50,958
Out-of-State
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$18,970
Books & Supplies
$1,286
Total Cost of Attendance
$38,701
After Financial Aid
$12,470
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$7,525
Receive Grants
34.2%
Take Loans
21.4%
The full cost of attendance is about $38,701/yr for in-state students, including $18,970 for room and board. After aid, most pay around $12,470. Out-of-state tuition jumps to $50,958.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at University of California-San Diego fund their education.
While in School
34.2%
Get Grants
Free money
21.4%
Take Loans
Must repay
$35,914
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$15,500
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$164/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 21.4% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $15,500. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends University of California-San Diego.
Gender
54.8%
Female
45%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
34,948
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
9,301
Graduates
39.6%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
4.2%
Age 25+
The campus has a balanced gender split (55% women, 45% men). 39.6% are first-generation college students, so there's a strong community of students who understand that experience. 11.1% international students bring global perspectives to campus life.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Large
Campus Quick Facts
34,948
Students
public
Institution
Large
Campus Size
R1 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
Quarter calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
No
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
What Students Say
Pros
- +La Jolla location near the beach is hard to beat
- +Perfect San Diego weather year-round
- +Strong STEM and biotech research opportunities
- +Residential college system creates smaller communities
Cons
- -Campus can feel socially dead compared to other UCs
- -Spread-out campus requires shuttles between colleges
- -La Jolla is expensive and suburban
- -Limited nightlife directly near campus
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
University of California-San Diego fields 12 varsity teams with 649 student athletes, about 2% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I without football
Conference
Big West
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Track & Cross Country
Student Athletes
649
2% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
47% / 53%
308
Men
341
Women
11
Men's Teams
10
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of University of California-San Diegoearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$84,943
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences
—
749 grads
Cognitive Science
$40K
722 grads
1yr Earnings
Computer Science
$112K
518 grads
1yr Earnings
International/Globalization Studies
$45K
511 grads
1yr Earnings
Political Science and Government
$33K
383 grads
1yr Earnings
Economics
$51K
364 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $66K six years out, climb to $59K by year eight, and reach $85K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about University of California-San Diego
What is the acceptance rate at University of California-San Diego?▾
How much does University of California-San Diego cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at University of California-San Diego?▾
How much do University of California-San Diego graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.