UCSD vs. Stanford

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Stanford based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 18,625 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); Stanford University is in Stanford, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Stanford University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; Stanford University 6:1.

UCSD vs. Stanford Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Stanford? 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 Stanford ($14,047 vs. $25,078).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 11% lower than at Stanford University ($18,970 vs. $21,315).
• Stanford University is 293.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $49,152 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 29.3% higher at Stanford than at University of California San Diego (about $14,952 more per year; $65,910.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Stanford University than at University of California San Diego (61% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Stanford University students is 143.6% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($62,755 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Stanford Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Stanford University (1550) is 170 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming Stanford students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Stanford University 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Stanford University 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Stanford - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Stanford Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Stanford students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.96) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than Stanford (3.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 81.9% at Stanford.

UCSD vs. Stanford Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Stanford? 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).

• Stanford University's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than University of California San Diego's (85%).
• Graduates from Stanford University earn a median of about $55,000 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($122,900 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Stanford University graduates have a $6,025 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($12,475 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, Stanford graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($128 vs. $191).
• More Stanford graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSD students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.