ACCEPTANCE RATE
24.5%
More selective than 10% of listed universities.
SelectiveAccessible
Public University
UC San Diego
UC San Diego in sunny San Diego, California, offers a vibrant academic and artistic environment for over 42,000 students. Founded in 1960, it excels in research and innovation, empowering students to tackle big ideas and create meaningful change.
24.5%ACCEPTANCE
$13,293AVG NET PRICE
88%GRAD RATE
42.4KSTUDENTS
University data profileIPEDS 2023
San Diego, CAcity
THE SIGNATURE
UC San Diego Report Card
Explore university facts, programs, and campus life at a glance.
The University of California, San Diego, located in the coastal city of San Diego, California, is a prestigious public research university established in 1960. With a student population of approximately 42,376, UC San Diego fosters a diverse and inclusive community where students from various backgrounds come together to explore their academic interests and engage in meaningful discovery.
Academically, UC San Diego is recognized for its innovative approach, offering over 100 degree programs across various disciplines, including arts and humanities, biological sciences, engineering, and social sciences. The campus boasts not only exceptional faculty but also a wealth of resources to support student learning and research activities. The university's commitment to creativity and innovation is evident through initiatives like ArtsConnect, which integrates public art and performances into the campus experience, enhancing student life and engagement within the broader San Diego community.
AT A GLANCE
TypePublicFour or more years
Founded1960
Settingcity2,178 acres
Calendarquarter
GETTING IN
Admissions
UC San Diego has an acceptance rate of 24.5%, attracting a competitive pool of applicants, with a total of 130,771 students seeking admission. This selectivity reflects the university's commitment to nurturing a diverse and talented student body.
Source: IPEDS 2023
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Nov 30regular
Undergraduate application fee $80.
WHAT IT COSTS
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker price tells you little — net price after aid is what most families actually pay.
Source: IPEDS 2023
IN-STATE TUITION & FEES
$15,265/yr
Out-of-state: $15,265/yr.
Net price by income band
$0–$30,000
$30,001–$48,000
$48,001–$75,000
$75,001–$110,000
$110,001+
AVERAGE NET PRICE AFTER AID
$13,293/yr
▼ 15% since 2020-2157% receive aid
Average aid package $21,788.
IN THE CLASSROOM
Academics
UC San Diego is renowned for its innovative academic programs that encourage students to engage deeply with their fields of interest. With over 100 degrees and programs, the university merges disciplines to inspire creativity and tackle significant societal challenges.
Source: IPEDS 2023
Student–faculty ratio
19:1
35% of classes have fewer than 20 students.
6-year graduation rate
88%
▲ 1 pts since 2016
First-year retention
94%
Compared with the 89% public-university median.
Undergrad majors
109
Undergraduate majors and programs
MOST POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY
Cognitive Science, General.7.7%
Anatomy.6.4%
Computer Science.6.1%
International/Globalization Studies.5.5%
Psychology, General.3.8%
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.3.7%
CAMPUS LIFE
Campus & Housing
Campus housing shows how many students live on-campus — which means nearby housing can be essential to the college experience.
On-campus beds
19.7K
Housing for approximately 58% of students.
Students needing off-campus housing
17.8K
Estimated from enrollment and reported on-campus housing capacity.
Setting
city
2,178 campus acres.
IN CONTEXT
UCSD vs. peer institutions
How UCSD compares with officially identified or editorially reviewed peer institutions.
UC San Diego
$13,293
University of California, Los Angeles
$15,166
University of Southern California
$41,496
San Diego State University
$19,500
California Institute of Technology
$23,397
AFTER GRADUATION
Student outcomes
What graduates earn and how reliably they land work — the bottom-line return on the degree.
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Median earnings · 10 yrs after entry
$84,943
Working after 10 yrs
90.1%
Share of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
Earning more than a high-school graduate
88.9%
88.9% of students out-earn the typical high-school graduate — a core measure of mobility.
Neighborhoods near UCSD
Where students live around UC San Diego — vibe, walkability, and commute at a glance.
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Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics. University Apartments is not affiliated with UC San Diego.