UCSD vs. SCI-Arc

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with Southern California Institute of Architecture 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 SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 418 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Southern California Institute of Architecture is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Southern California Institute of Architecture is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Southern California Institute of Architecture 9:1.

UCSD vs. SCI-Arc Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or SCI-Arc? 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 SCI-Arc ($14,047 vs. $28,985).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 28.3% lower than at University of California San Diego ($13,600 vs. $18,970).
• Southern California Institute of Architecture is 235.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $39,404 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.2% higher at SCI-Arc than at University of California San Diego (about $5,204 more per year; $56,162.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at Southern California Institute of Architecture (59% vs. 26%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southern California Institute of Architecture students is 65.5% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($42,627 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. SCI-Arc Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or SCI-Arc? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between SCI-Arc and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 250 points higher than at SCI-Arc (1130).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Southern California Institute of Architecture 1020/1230.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California San Diego 28/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; SCI-Arc - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; SCI-Arc Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UCSD students have a 0.32 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5).
• SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (76.6%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 7% at SCI-Arc.

UCSD vs. SCI-Arc Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and SCI-Arc? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than Southern California Institute of Architecture's (58%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $21,500 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $46,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $24,250 lower median loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates ($18,500 vs. $42,750).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $251 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCI-Arc graduates ($191 vs. $442).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 62%)

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.