UCSD vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

UCSD vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or SCU? 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 SCU ($14,047 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 4.6% lower than at Santa Clara University ($18,970 vs. $19,893).
• Santa Clara University is 265.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $44,535 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.3% higher at SCU than at University of California San Diego (about $10,335 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at University of California San Diego (71% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Clara University students is 10.1% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($28,368 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 40 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming SCU 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; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 17.7% at SCU.

UCSD vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and SCU? 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).

• The graduation rate at UCSD is the same as at Santa Clara University (85% vs. 85%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $14,000 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($18,500 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($191 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSD students, three years after graduation. (84% vs. 82%)

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.