ACCEPTANCE RATE
24.5%
More selective than 89% 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 2,178 acres
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
Settingcity 2,178 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
$7,487$0–$30,000
$7,864$30,001–$48,000
$10,389$48,001–$75,000
$17,131$75,001–$110,000
$28,113$110,001+
AVERAGE NET PRICE AFTER AID
$13,293/yr
▼ 15% since 2020-2157% receive grants or scholarships
Average grant or scholarship aid $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%
Median across 34 institutions in our national dataset: 89%.
Bachelor-level fields offered
109
Bachelor-level fields reported as offered in IPEDS
MOST POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY
Share of bachelor's degree completions, not of all enrolled students.
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
Reported capacity of institution-controlled housing and campus setting. Capacity does not indicate how many students currently live in university housing.
University-controlled housing capacity
19.7K
Includes institution-controlled housing; it may extend beyond campus.
Setting
city 2,178 acres
AFTER GRADUATION
Student outcomes
Earnings and employment of former students after entering the university.
Source: College Scorecard 2023
Median earnings · 10 yrs after entry
$84,943
Median earnings of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.
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 former students earn above the Scorecard high-school earnings threshold, ten years after entry.
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, and College Scorecard. University Apartments is not affiliated with UC San Diego.