UCSD vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSD vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or USF? 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 USF ($14,047 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 4% lower than at University of San Francisco ($18,970 vs. $19,764).
• University of San Francisco is 261% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $43,734 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.7% higher at USF than at University of California San Diego (about $9,534 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of California San Diego (95% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 34.8% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($34,723 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. USF Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 90 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 6% at USF.

UCSD vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and USF? 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).

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $2,500 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $67,900), 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 USF graduates ($18,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $67 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($191 vs. $258).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 73%)

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.