Colleges by Location
Colleges by Fields of Study
Colleges by Tuition Range
Colleges by GPA Range
College by SAT Range
Colleges by ACT Score
Graduate Schools by Location
Graduate Schools by Fields of Study
Graduate School by Degree Type
Paying for Graduate School
Online Graduate Programs
Test Preparation
Career Planning
College Planning
Graduate School Planning
Applying to Graduate School
Engineering Careers
- More
La Jolla , CA
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is a public research university located in La Jolla, California. Established in 1960, UCSD has quickly gained recognition as one of the top universities in the world. It is part of the prestigious University of California system and is known for its strong emphasis on scientific research and innovation.
UCSD offers a wide range of academic programs across six undergraduate colleges, including arts and humanities, biological sciences, engineering, social sciences, and more. The university is particularly renowned for its programs in the fields of science, engineering, and health sciences. UCSD is home to several prestigious research institutions and centers, providing students with extensive opportunities to engage in cutting-edge research in areas such as neuroscience, climate change, and bioengineering.
The campus is situated on 1,200 lush acres near the Pacific Ocean, offering a beautiful and inspiring environment for learning and discovery. UCSD is known for its top-notch facilities, including state-of-the-art laboratories, libraries, and research centers. Additionally, the campus boasts a vibrant student life, with numerous student organizations, clubs, and sports teams, providing students with a well-rounded college experience. With its strong academic reputation, stunning location, and commitment to innovation, UCSD remains a top choice for students seeking a world-class education in a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment.
University of California, San Diego is a public university located in La Jolla, CA and set in an urban environment. This educational institution operates on a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 26%. The freshman retention rate at University of California, San Diego is 94% and the six-year graduation rate is 86%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is November 30. For transfer students, the application deadline is November 30.
To find out more about what University of California, San Diego has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
34,955
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
86%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to increase your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. Here are the most relevant facts you have to know about admission at University of California, San Diego.
In 2025, the school accepted 35,989 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, University of California, San Diego offers a unique educational experience.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.9. That means that you need a GPA that's above average in order to get into University of California, San Diego.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by November 30. If considering applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is November 30.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. Why is that metric important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of California, San Diego was 94% in 2025, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year graduation rate at this school is 86%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Choosing a school that is the right match for you is not a simple task. You can better comprehend the culture and life of the school by learning more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 44,256 students.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 10% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 34,955, 3891 of which were international students. 3,757 students were admitted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
With a coeducational student body, the school had 19,239 male and 21,661 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
Higher Education is dedicated to increasing student diversity and enhancing students' feelings of inclusion and belonging. In a diverse learning space, you will be exposed to people from different backgrounds, which promotes the feeling of inclusion and acceptance. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 12,108 Asian students and 569 Afro-American students in 2025. 9,267 undergraduates at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 2,258 identified with more than one race. The school also had 20 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 25 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 812 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before sending an application to any college or university, the financial component should be taken into account. Here are some important facts on University of California, San Diego costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of California, San Diego? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition fees for area resident were $14,934, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. For students who don't live in the state in which the university is located, the tuition was $52,536 in 2025. If you are an international student at University of California, San Diego, you should know that the 2025 tuition amounted to $52,536, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $5,472.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $52,536 | $5,472 | $58,008 |
| In-State | $14,934 | $5,472 | $20,406 |
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another important expense. Most students have to spend about $1,365 for books and supplies during their time at University of California, San Diego.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. How much do room and board fees average around at colleges and universities?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of California, San Diego was $19,629 in 2025.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 14,934 |
| Room and Board | $ 19,629 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,365 |
| Total Expense | $ 35,928 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all types of financial support for students. If you are interested in finding out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of California, San Diego, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 3,919 freshmen.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
There were 16,746 students who secured need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at University of California, San Diego is available to international students. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $73,726,234, and state $147,004,181. The students of University of California, San Diego received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $213,207,290, and external in the amount of $4,857,360.
$11,956
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 333 students overall (including freshmen) at University of California, San Diego in 2025. 81 full-time freshmen were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $73,726,234 while the state aid is $2,688,827. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $16,110,432. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $2,309,184 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
19:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of California, San Diego was 19:1: that means 19 students per one teacher. This school has recently reported to have 1,771 faculty members. This number included 1,047 men and 724 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some info about students' life at University of California, San Diego.
Its campus is 2,183 acres in size.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to the most recent information, there are 600 open-membership organizations at University of California, San Diego. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. 14 percent of male and 14 of female students participate actively in different organizations at University of California, San Diego. The most popular student organization is Triton Spirit Groups (Pep and Cheer), followed by Engineers for a Sustainable World and Society of Women Engineers. Other popular organizations among the students at University of California, San Diego are Biological Sciences Student Organization and Associated Students.
If you are interested in music, you can join the University of California, San Diego band or chorus. For individuals with a passion for acting, there is a drama club available. For students interested in media and communication, University of California, San Diego publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of California, San Diego offers a number of services needed for a pleasant and secure life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of University of California, San Diego.
All in all, campus life at University of California, San Diego is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of California, San Diego.
Career Counselling
At University of California, San Diego, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
University of California, San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA.
-
University of California, San Diego offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for University of California, San Diego is 26%.
-
The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of California, San Diego is 94%.
Contact Information
University of California-San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive
La Jolla , CA
92093-0021
858 534-2230
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.