UCSD vs. HIU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than HIU based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,025 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Hope International University is in Fullerton, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Hope International University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Hope International University 13:1.

UCSD vs. HIU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or HIU? 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 HIU ($14,047 vs. $29,896).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Hope International University are 31.7% lower than at University of California San Diego ($12,950 vs. $18,970).
• Hope International University is 127.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $21,292 more per year; $38,050.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33.9% higher at UCSD than at Hope International University (about $12,908 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $38,050.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Hope International University 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 14.6% larger than aid received by Hope International University students ($25,757 vs. $22,474).

UCSD vs. HIU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 350 points higher than at HIU (1030).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Hope International University 840/1220.
• 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; HIU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; HIU Aug 20, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at HIU (3.26).
• HIU has a higher acceptance rate (33%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 38.4% at HIU.

UCSD vs. HIU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and HIU? 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 Hope International University's (32%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $28,200 more per year than HIU graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $39,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $7,500 lower median loan debt than HIU graduates ($18,500 vs. $26,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $77 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than HIU graduates ($191 vs. $268).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former HIU students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 58%)

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.