UCSD vs. La Verne

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than La Verne based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 5,021 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSD vs. La Verne Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or La Verne? 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 La Verne ($14,047 vs. $21,530).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of La Verne are 16.6% lower than at University of California San Diego ($15,830 vs. $18,970).
• University of La Verne is 195.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $32,712 more per year; $49,470.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at UCSD than at University of La Verne (about $1,488 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $49,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of La Verne than at University of California San Diego (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of La Verne students is 58% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($40,688 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. La Verne Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 270 points higher than at La Verne (1110).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 10 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (31 vs. 21 at La Verne).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of La Verne 986/1236.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of La Verne 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; La Verne - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Enrolled freshman UCSD students have a 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at La Verne (3.24).
• La Verne has a higher acceptance rate (71.2%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 9.8% at La Verne.

UCSD vs. La Verne Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and La Verne? 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 University of La Verne's (58%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $15,900 more per year than La Verne graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $52,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $6,500 lower median loan debt than La Verne graduates ($18,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Verne graduates ($191 vs. $258).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Verne students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 51%)

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.