UCSD vs. Fresno Pacific University

Should I go to University of California San Diego or Fresno Pacific University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if UCSD or Fresno Pacific University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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University of California San Diego vs. Fresno Pacific University comparison
University of California San Diego Fresno Pacific University College 3 College 4
University of California San Diego Fresno Pacific University
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Overview

UCSD Fresno Pacific University
Location La Jolla, CA Fresno, CA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 42,376 2,921
Type Public 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #88 #494
Religious Affiliation - Mennonite Brethren Church - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website ucsd.edu fresno.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

UCSD Fresno Pacific University
Tuition (In State) $11,834 $34,960
Tuition (Out of State) $42,611 $34,960
Room & Board $17,198 $10,148
Avg Net Price $13,293 $15,668
Avg Grant Aid $24,176 $27,472
% Receiving Grant Aid 64% 99%

Admission

UCSD Fresno Pacific University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 130,771 1,516
Admitted 32,062 872
Acceptance Rate 24.5% 57.5%
Enrolled % 21.8% 23.7%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.54
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Exceptional Moderate
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 28/34 17/24
SAT Range 1270/1480 970/1240
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2025 Aug 1, 2026

Academics

UCSD Fresno Pacific University
Student to Faculty Ratio 19:1 8:1
Popular Majors
  • Biology (23%)
  • Social Sciences (21%)
  • Engineering (10%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • General Studies (7%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Education (28%)
  • Work and Family Studies (17%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)
  • Health Professions (3%)

Outcomes

UCSD Fresno Pacific University
Graduation Rate 85% 50%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $67,900 $43,600
Making Student Loan Payments 82% 53%
Median Student Loan Debt $18,500 $21,500
Median Loan Payment $191 $222

Diversity

UCSD Fresno Pacific University
% Men 11% 10%
% Women 9% 35%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 21% 35%
% Black 1% 5%
% Hispanic 16% 43%
% Native American 0% 1%
% Pacific Islander 0% 1%
% Two or More Races 5% 2%
% International 17% 2%
% Unknown Race 2% 7%

Students

UCSD Fresno Pacific University
% In-State 79% 88%
% Out-of-State 10% 5%

Campus

UCSD Fresno Pacific University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of California San Diego is larger than than Fresno Pacific University based on total student enrollment (42,376 students vs. 2,921 students)

UCSD vs. Fresno Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Fresno Pacific University?

  • Fresno Pacific University is 195.4% more expensive to attend than UCSD for in-state tuition ($34,960.00 vs. $11,834.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 21.9% higher at UCSD than Fresno Pacific University ($42,611.00 vs. $34,960.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California San Diego than Fresno Pacific University ($13,293 vs. $15,668)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fresno Pacific University are 69.5% lower than costs at University of California San Diego ($10,148 vs. $17,198)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Fresno Pacific University than University of California San Diego (99% vs. 64%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Fresno Pacific University students is 13.6% larger than aid received University of California San Diego ($27,472 vs. $24,176)

UCSD vs. Fresno Pacific University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or Fresno Pacific University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Fresno Pacific University or UCSD .

  • The average SAT score at University of California San Diego (1344) is 356 points higher than at Fresno Pacific University (988)
  • Incoming UCSD students have a 9 point higher average ACT score (31) than students at Fresno Pacific University (22)
  • Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Fresno Pacific University (3.54)
  • Fresno Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (57.5%) than UCSD (24.5%)

UCSD vs. Fresno Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, UCSD or Fresno Pacific University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Fresno Pacific University and UCSD.

  • The graduation rate at UCSD is higher than Fresno Pacific University (85% vs. 50%)
  • Graduates from University of California San Diego earn on average $24,300 more per year than Fresno Pacific University graduates after ten years. ($67,900 vs. $43,600)
  • University of California San Diego students graduate with a $3,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Fresno Pacific University graduates. ($18,500 vs. $21,500)
  • UCSD graduates are paying $31 less per month on federal student loans than Fresno Pacific University graduates. ($191 vs. $222)
  • More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Fresno Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 53%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/