UCSD vs. CDU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California San Diego is larger than CDU based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 852 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1.

UCSD vs. CDU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or CDU? 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 CDU ($14,047 vs. $35,558).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 42.7% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($18,970 vs. $33,090).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is 37.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $6,242 more per year; $23,000.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 121.6% higher at UCSD than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (about $27,958 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than at University of California San Diego (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 502.4% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($25,757 vs. $4,276).

UCSD vs. CDU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or CDU? 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 CDU and UCSD.

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; CDU - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at CDU (3.26).
• CDU has a higher acceptance rate (38.7%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 3.5% at CDU.

UCSD vs. CDU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and CDU? 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).

• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $2,819 lower median loan debt than CDU graduates ($18,500 vs. $21,319).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CDU graduates ($191 vs. $220).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 56%)

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.