UCSD vs. Scripps College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Scripps College based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSD vs. Scripps College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Scripps College? 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 Scripps College ($14,047 vs. $44,396).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 14.3% lower than at Scripps College ($18,970 vs. $22,136).
• Scripps College is 293.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $49,192 more per year; $65,950.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.4% higher at Scripps College than at University of California San Diego (about $14,992 more per year; $65,950.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at Scripps College (59% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Scripps College students is 67.6% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($43,168 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Scripps College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Scripps College (1490) is 110 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Scripps College 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; Scripps College 1440/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Scripps College 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Scripps College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Scripps College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Scripps College students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• Scripps College has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 25.6% at Scripps College.

UCSD vs. Scripps College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Scripps College? 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).

• Scripps College's six-year graduation rate (88%) is higher than University of California San Diego's (85%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Scripps College graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Scripps College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($14,000 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, Scripps College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($144 vs. $191).
• More Scripps College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSD students, three years after graduation. (91% 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.