UCSD vs. Northeastern University Oakland

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 640 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Northeastern University Oakland is in Oakland, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Northeastern University Oakland 7:1.

UCSD vs. Northeastern University Oakland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland ($14,047 vs. $27,473).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 3.1% lower than at Northeastern University Oakland ($18,970 vs. $19,580).
• Northeastern University Oakland is 304.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $51,020 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 33% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California San Diego (about $16,820 more per year; $67,778.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at University of California San Diego (67% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students is 125% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($57,948 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Northeastern University Oakland Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northeastern University Oakland (1470) is 90 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Northeastern University Oakland students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Northeastern University Oakland 1420/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Northeastern University Oakland 32/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Northeastern University Oakland - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than Northeastern University Oakland (16.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland.

UCSD vs. Northeastern University Oakland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Northeastern University Oakland? 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 Northeastern University Oakland's (57%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $23,500 more per year than Northeastern University Oakland graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $44,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($18,500 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $51 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($191 vs. $242).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Northeastern University Oakland students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 66%)

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.