UCSD vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSD vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College ($14,047 vs. $32,172).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 10.6% lower than at University of California San Diego ($16,960 vs. $18,970).
• Westmont College is 219.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $36,826 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.2% higher at Westmont College than at University of California San Diego (about $2,626 more per year; $53,584.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of California San Diego (100% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 51.2% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($38,956 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 30 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

UCSD vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $13,300 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $6,623 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($18,500 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $68 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($191 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSD students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.