University of California San Diego campus

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UCSD Demographics & Diversity

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  • La Jolla, CA
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Racial Demographics & Diversity

Racial Diversity

Racial Diversity

Very High

Racial Diversity Index: 75%

Racial diversity is the chance that two students chosen at random are from different racial or ethnic groups, using the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index. Students at UCSD are predominantly Asian with a sizeable White population. The school has very high racial diversity. 79% percent of students are minorities or people of color (BIPOC). The ethnic breakdown is detailed in the following table.

Racial demographics of University of California San Diego students
Race Percent of Students
White
21%
Black
1%
Hispanic
16%
Asian
37%
American Indian / Alaskan
0%
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0%
Two or more races
5%
International
17%
Race Unknown
2%

Gender Demographics & Diversity

Gender Diversity

Gender Diversity

Very High

Gender Diversity Index: 50%

There are 11% more female students than male students enrolled at University of California San Diego with a gender ratio of 53% women to 47% men. Compared to the US average of 56% female students, UCSD has a higher gender diversity than other US colleges and is very inclusive of both genders.

Male to female gender ratio for University of California San Diego students
Gender Percent of Students
Men
47%
Women
53%
Enrollment by gender for University of California San Diego students
Gender Number of Students
Men
20,975
Women
23,281

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Geographic Diversity

Very Low

Geographic Diversity Index: 22%

UCSD draws 78 percent of students from California, 9 percent from other states, and 13 percent from other countries. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside California, including other U.S. states and other countries.

Enrollment by geographic location for University of California San Diego students
Origin Percent of Students
In State
78%
Out of State
9%
Foreign
13%
Unknown Location
0%

Economic Diversity

Median Household Income

Median Household Income

$76,397 per year

37% of students can be considered low-income as indicated by their receipt of Federal Pell Grant Aid.

Total Enrollment

Total Enrollment

Total enrollment

44,256
Share of undergraduates by age and part-time status
Segment Percent of Students
Students Over 25 Years Old 5.7%
Part-time undergraduates 2.5%

Other Colleges to Consider

Students applying to University of California San Diego often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110680.

Racial and gender diversity ratings use the U.S. Census Bureau Diversity Index (Gini-Simpson): the probability that two students chosen at random belong to different groups. See the Census method note, Measuring Racial and Ethnic Diversity for the 2020 Census. Geographic diversity is the share of students from outside the college's home state (other U.S. states plus international). IPEDS does not publish enrollment by individual state of residence.

Last updated: August 2026