UCSD vs. Loyola Marymount

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with Loyola Marymount University 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 Loyola Marymount based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 10,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Loyola Marymount University is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Loyola Marymount University 10:1.

UCSD vs. Loyola Marymount Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount ($14,047 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 13.9% lower than at Loyola Marymount University ($18,970 vs. $22,026).
• Loyola Marymount University is 272.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $45,599 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22.4% higher at Loyola Marymount than at University of California San Diego (about $11,399 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount 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 5.9% larger than aid received by Loyola Marymount University students ($25,757 vs. $24,318).

UCSD vs. Loyola Marymount Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 30 points higher than at Loyola Marymount (1350).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at Loyola Marymount).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Loyola Marymount University 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Loyola Marymount - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• Loyola Marymount has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 14.8% at Loyola Marymount.

UCSD vs. Loyola Marymount Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Loyola Marymount? 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 Loyola Marymount University's (77%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $2,200 more per year than Loyola Marymount graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $65,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $3,168 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($18,500 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($191 vs. $224).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Loyola Marymount students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 79%)

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.