UCSD vs. DUofC

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than DUofC based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,900 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Dominican University of California is in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Dominican University of California 8:1.

UCSD vs. DUofC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or DUofC? 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 DUofC ($14,047 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dominican University of California are 14.6% lower than at University of California San Diego ($16,191 vs. $18,970).
• Dominican University of California is 211.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $35,403 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 2.4% higher at DUofC than at University of California San Diego (about $1,203 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California than at University of California San Diego (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 32.9% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($34,224 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. DUofC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 120 points higher than at DUofC (1260).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Dominican University of California 1210/1300.
• 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; DUofC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at DUofC (3.66).
• DUofC has a higher acceptance rate (83.5%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 12.7% at DUofC.

UCSD vs. DUofC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and DUofC? 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 Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $9,500 more per year than DUofC graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $58,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $8,500 lower median loan debt than DUofC graduates ($18,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $88 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($191 vs. $279).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former DUofC students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 71%)

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.