UCSD vs. UOP

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than UOP based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 6,944 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of the Pacific is in Stockton, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of the Pacific is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; University of the Pacific 13:1.

UCSD vs. UOP Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or UOP? 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 UOP ($14,047 vs. $31,670).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Pacific are 9.4% lower than at University of California San Diego ($17,190 vs. $18,970).
• University of the Pacific is 240.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $40,322 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 12% higher at UOP than at University of California San Diego (about $6,122 more per year; $57,080.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Pacific than at University of California San Diego (98% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of the Pacific students is 59.6% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($41,111 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. UOP Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 50 points higher than at UOP (1330).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 27 at UOP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of the Pacific 1183/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of the Pacific 23/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; UOP - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; UOP Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UOP (3.58).
• UOP has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 13.8% at UOP.

UCSD vs. UOP Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and UOP? 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 the Pacific's (69%).
• Graduates from University of the Pacific earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,400 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $6,125 lower median loan debt than UOP graduates ($18,500 vs. $24,625).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UOP graduates ($191 vs. $254).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UOP students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 70%)

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.