University of California San Diego
- 9/10 Overall Rating
- 4 Year
- La Jolla, CA
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0 reviews
Overview
Total enrollment
44,256- Location La Jolla, California
- Website ucsd.edu
- Type Public 4 Year
- Setting Large City
- Size Large
- Status Non-profit
- Housing Yes
- Level of Study Undergrad/Graduate
Located in La Jolla, California, the University of California San Diego sits on 1,200 acres of coastal woodland overlooking the Pacific Ocean, 12 miles north of downtown San Diego. The campus, established in 1960, features a mix of Brutalist and modern architecture, with distinctive concrete buildings designed by notable architects. UCSD operates on a six-college system where students live and study in smaller academic communities within the larger university framework, with most first-year students residing in campus housing. The university maintains selective admission standards and has gained recognition for its programs in biological sciences, engineering, oceanography, and international relations, alongside its affiliation with the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. UCSD competes in NCAA Division I athletics as the Tritons, following its transition from Division II in 2020.
Ratings
UCSD is rated within the top 19% of four-year colleges nationally and earns a CollegeSimply grade of 9 out of 10.
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Overall Rating9 out of 10
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Academics10 out of 10
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Resources7 out of 10
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Outcomes9 out of 10
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Value10 out of 10
Rankings
Rankings for University of California San Diego within the 2027 CollegeSimply Best Colleges Lists.
Admissions
Admission Standards
Acceptance Rate
- Applications Due Nov 30, 2026
- Enrollment Rate 20.4%
- Application Fee $80
Applicant Competition High
Annual Cost to Attend
California Resident Tuition
$16,758Out of State Resident Tuition
$50,958Breakdown
- Tuition $16,758
- Books and Supplies $1,286
- Other Fees $3,612
- Room and Board $18,970
- Budget for Other Expenses $5,888
- Total One Year Cost $46,514
- Tuition $50,958
- Books and Supplies $1,286
- Other Fees $3,612
- Room and Board $18,970
- Budget for Other Expenses $5,888
- Total One Year Cost $80,714
Student Outcomes
Average Salary After 10 Years
Bachelor's Degree Graduation Rate
Popular Areas of Study
Popular majors at University of California San Diego are Biology, Social Sciences, and Engineering. 23% of students major in Biology, 21% in Social Sciences, and 10% in Engineering.
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Biology 23%
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Social Sciences 21%
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Engineering 10%
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Psychology 8%
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General Studies 7%
More Colleges to Consider
Students considering University of California San Diego are frequently interested in these similar colleges.
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110680.
GPA calculator: University of California San Diego GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026