UCSD vs. UW-Seattle

Comparable Facts

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

University of Washington Seattle Campus is larger than UCSD based on total student enrollment (56,997 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of Washington Seattle Campus is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Washington Seattle Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; University of Washington Seattle Campus 20:1.

UCSD vs. UW-Seattle Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus than UCSD ($11,784 vs. $14,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Washington Seattle Campus are 3% lower than at University of California San Diego ($18,405 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 29.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UW-Seattle (about $3,785 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $12,973.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 17.9% higher at UCSD than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (about $7,749 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $43,209.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of Washington Seattle Campus (59% vs. 43%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 59.4% larger than aid received by University of Washington Seattle Campus students ($25,757 vs. $16,156).

UCSD vs. UW-Seattle Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or UW-Seattle? 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 UW-Seattle and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 50 points higher than at UW-Seattle (1330).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 30 at UW-Seattle).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Washington Seattle Campus 1200/1453.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Washington Seattle Campus 27/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; UW-Seattle - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; UW-Seattle Nov 16, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have the same average high school GPA (3.82) as students at UW-Seattle (3.82).
• UW-Seattle has a higher acceptance rate (39.1%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 26.6% at UW-Seattle.

UCSD vs. UW-Seattle Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and UW-Seattle? 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 Washington Seattle Campus's (80%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $2,100 more per year than UW-Seattle graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $65,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Washington Seattle Campus graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, UW-Seattle graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($155 vs. $191).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UW-Seattle students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 76%)

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.