UCLA vs. UCSD

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA 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 California Los Angeles is larger than UCSD based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); University of California San Diego is in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Los Angeles 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 California Los Angeles 20:1; University of California San Diego 19:1.

UCLA vs. UCSD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA 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 UCLA ($14,047 vs. $14,512).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 3.2% lower than at University of California San Diego ($18,369 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $1,555 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.1% higher at UCSD than at University of California Los Angeles (about $1,555 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of California Los Angeles (59% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 0.5% larger than aid received by University of California Los Angeles students ($25,757 vs. $25,627).

UCLA vs. UCSD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA 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 UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Los Angeles (1420) is 40 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming UCLA students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; University of California San Diego 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Test-free; UCSD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026; UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 20.4% at UCSD.

UCLA vs. UCSD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA 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 Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than University of California San Diego's (85%).
• Graduates from University of California Los Angeles earn a median of about $2,800 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,700 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $2,200 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($16,300 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($168 vs. $191).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCLA students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 78%)

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.