U of A vs. UCSD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than UCSD based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); University of California San Diego is in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; University of California San Diego 19:1.

U of A vs. UCSD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or UCSD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California San Diego than U of A ($14,047 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arizona are 11.7% lower than at University of California San Diego ($16,746 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 20.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than U of A (about $2,832 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $13,926.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.5% higher at UCSD than at University of Arizona (about $8,680 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $42,278.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at University of California San Diego (95% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 87% larger than aid received by University of Arizona students ($25,757 vs. $13,776).

U of A vs. UCSD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or UCSD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UCSD and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 90 points higher than at U of A (1290).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; University of California San Diego 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; UCSD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.34 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 20.4% at UCSD.

U of A vs. UCSD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and UCSD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than U of A graduates ($18,500 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of A graduates ($191 vs. $196).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 66%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.