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University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA·Public·www.ucsd.edu/

Campus Identity

Beach TownLand GrantPhD Programs

University of California-San Diego is a large public university in La Jolla, CA. Approximately 34,948 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 27% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 4 miles from the ocean. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

University of California-San Diego is a large public university in La Jolla, CA. Approximately 34,948 students are enrolled. Admissions are selective with a 27% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 4 miles from the ocean. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 40/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

27%
Acceptance Rate
134,450 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$11,442
In-State Tuition
+$3,258 fees
$41,196
Out-of-State Tuition
+$3,258 fees
$18,970
Room & Board
34,948
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
20%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
N/A
Athletics
Selectivity27% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Campus Lifestyle

School Size & Setting

20,000+

Urban setting

Beach Access

4 miles

La Jolla, CA

Weather

Warm Climate

62°F avg school-year

Nearby Ski Resorts

94 mi away
240 skiable acres12 lifts
96 mi away
240 skiable acres10 lifts
96 mi away
198 skiable acres8 lifts

Beach Town

La Jolla, CA

Ocean access within 3.7 miles

4 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · La Jolla, CA

57°Jan58°Feb59°Mar61°Apr64°May68°Jun72°Jul74°Aug72°Sep68°Oct62°Nov56°Dec

Station: SAN DIEGO MIRAMAR NAS · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

40/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety452745
45/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
27/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
45/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

Annual costs for the 2023–24 academic year. Source: IPEDS/NCES 2024.

Tuition
$11,442$41,196
Fees
$3,258$3,258
Room & Board
$18,970$18,970
Total
$33,670$63,424
In-StateOut-of-State
App Fee: $80

These are sticker prices. Your actual cost may be much lower with financial aid.

Calculate Your Net Price

Fields of Study

200 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical SciencesBachelor's
749 grads/yr
Cognitive ScienceBachelor's
722 grads/yr$81,160
Computer ScienceBachelor's
518 grads/yr$159,487
International/Globalization StudiesBachelor's
511 grads/yr$81,174
Computer ScienceMaster's
499 grads/yr$231,397

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Computer Science
Master's499 grads$231,397
Computer and Information Sciences, General
Master's28 grads$201,287
Computer Engineering
Master's89 grads$173,180
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Master's239 grads$169,987
Physics
Doctoral21 grads$166,997
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
Doctoral$165,543
Computer Science
Bachelor's518 grads$159,487
Engineering, Other
Master's37 grads$158,915
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's grads$149,271
Computer Engineering
Bachelor's174 grads$149,139

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is University of California-San Diego located?

University of California-San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA. The main campus address is 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA. It is a public institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at University of California-San Diego?

University of California-San Diego has an acceptance rate of 27%, making it selective. Out of 134,450 applicants, 35,917 were admitted in the most recent year. 34,948 students enrolled.

How much does it cost to attend University of California-San Diego?

For the 2023–24 academic year, University of California-San Diego charges $11,442/year for in-state students and $41,196/year for out-of-state students. Including room and board ($18,970/year), the total estimated cost for out-of-state students is approximately $63,424/year. Financial aid, scholarships, and grants can significantly reduce this cost — use University of California-San Diego's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for University of California-San Diego?

The undergraduate application fee at University of California-San Diego is $80. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is University of California-San Diego the right fit for me?

Whether University of California-San Diego is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (27% admit rate), cost ($41,196/year out-of-state), campus culture in La Jolla, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh University of California-San Diego against similar schools side-by-side.

Data sourced from IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with University of California-San Diego directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Public
Location
La Jolla, CA
Size
20,000+
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
Land Grant
Yes
School Year Weather
Warm · 62°F avg
App Fee
$80
On Campus Safety Score
40/100
Nearest Airport
San Diego, CA (NKX) · 5 mialso SAN (10 mi), NZY (12 mi)

Location

La Jolla, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.