National university
#14 Best value colleges in AmericaUniversity of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public · 4-year
Your real cost
Average price after aid $12,470 a year
Median debt at graduation: $15,500 (all students)
Estimate your own price · the college’s net price calculator
Upcoming admissions events
- Insights from an Admissions OfficerOctober 21, 2026 · 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm PT · ZoomMore about Insights from an Admissions OfficerAdd to calendar
- Spotlight Webinar: School of Social ScienceOctober 27, 2026 · 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm PT · ZoomMore about Spotlight Webinar: School of Social ScienceAdd to calendar
- Spotlight Webinar: Rady School of Management - Undergraduate ProgramsOctober 29, 2026 · 3:45 pm - 4:30 pm PT · ZoomMore about Spotlight Webinar: Rady School of Management - Undergraduate ProgramsAdd to calendar
- Spotlight Webinar: Scripps Institution of OceanographyOctober 29, 2026 · 5:00 pm - 5:45 pm PT · ZoomMore about Spotlight Webinar: Scripps Institution of OceanographyAdd to calendar
View all upcoming events (8 more) · From the college's admissions website.
Rankings
Where this college places on our top lists. Lists are worked out from official data and our own research; places in the top quarter of each list are shown. See every list
In America
- Best value colleges in America#14 of 674
- Colleges with the best earnings for the price in America#16 of 681
- Colleges that pay for themselves fastest in America#15 of 598
- Best colleges for business in America#47 of 1,563
- Best colleges for communications and journalism in America#44 of 1,238
- Best colleges for education in America#47 of 1,318
Show 26 more
- Most affordable colleges with strong academics in America#32 of 690
- Best colleges in America#85 of 1,829
- Best value colleges in the West in America#5 of 103
- Best colleges for psychology in America#71 of 1,418
- Best test-optional colleges in America#77 of 1,481
- Best colleges for biology and pre-med in America#73 of 1,358
- Best colleges for English in America#73 of 1,283
- Best colleges for history in America#76 of 1,247
- Best colleges for art and design in America#73 of 1,187
- Best colleges for mathematics in America#76 of 1,215
- Colleges with the highest graduation rates in America#118 of 1,829
- Best colleges for chemistry in America#76 of 1,162
- Best colleges for music in America#72 of 1,063
- Best colleges for political science and pre-law in America#76 of 1,116
- Best colleges for computer science in America#52 of 750
- Best large colleges in America#18 of 256
- Best colleges for engineering in America#57 of 749
- Best colleges for economics in America#75 of 788
- Colleges with the lowest student debt in America#67 of 684
- Lowest net price for middle-income families in America#70 of 682
- Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in America#44 of 367
- Colleges where Pell Grant students thrive in America#19 of 154
- Best colleges under $20,000 a year in America#25 of 197
- Most selective colleges in America#91 of 683
- Colleges that spend the most on teaching in America#95 of 704
- Colleges where the most freshmen return in America#100 of 693
In California
- Best colleges for education in California#3 of 56
- Most affordable colleges with strong academics in California#4 of 63
- Colleges with the best earnings for the price in California#4 of 62
- Best value colleges in California#4 of 59
- Best value colleges in the West in California#4 of 59
- Best colleges in California#9 of 128
Show 25 more
- Colleges that pay for themselves fastest in California#4 of 54
- Best colleges for business in California#7 of 88
- Best test-optional colleges in California#9 of 100
- Best colleges for psychology in California#7 of 74
- Best colleges for art and design in California#8 of 75
- Best colleges for communications and journalism in California#8 of 70
- Best colleges for music in California#8 of 70
- Lowest net price for middle-income families in California#7 of 61
- Best colleges for English in California#8 of 68
- Best colleges for biology and pre-med in California#9 of 69
- Best colleges for history in California#9 of 68
- Best colleges for political science and pre-law in California#9 of 67
- Best large colleges in California#4 of 29
- Best colleges for mathematics in California#9 of 65
- Colleges with the highest graduation rates in California#18 of 128
- Best colleges for chemistry in California#9 of 63
- Best colleges for engineering in California#9 of 56
- Best colleges for computer science in California#9 of 54
- Best colleges for economics in California#9 of 54
- Most selective colleges in California#10 of 57
- Best colleges for NCAA Division I athletes in California#5 of 26
- Colleges with the lowest student debt in California#13 of 61
- Colleges where Pell Grant students thrive in California#5 of 21
- Colleges that spend the most on teaching in California#16 of 64
- Colleges where the most freshmen return in California#16 of 63
Academic Excellence
Each measure counts for the share shown.
- Graduation rate 35% of scoreThis measure counts for 35% of the Academic Excellence score.86%
- First-year retention 20% of scoreThis measure counts for 20% of the Academic Excellence score.94%
- Entering students' test scores 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.Not reported
- Student-to-faculty ratio 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.19 to 1
- Instructional spending per student 15% of scoreThis measure counts for 15% of the Academic Excellence score.$26,067
Bars show points on each measure’s scale. How Academic Excellence is computed.
Source: College Scorecard (College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026))
What families pay, by income
Average yearly price after grants and scholarships, for students who receive federal aid.
| Family income | Price after aid |
|---|---|
| Up to $30,000 | |
| $30,001–$48,000 | |
| $48,001–$75,000 | |
| $75,001–$110,000 | |
| Over $110,000 |
Full cost of attendance before aid: $38,701 a year.
Use the college’s net price calculator for your own estimate.
Cost and value
Federal data: what families pay after aid, what graduates earn, and what they owe.
| Undergraduate students Fall enrollment (IPEDS) | 33,792 |
|---|---|
| Men and women College Scorecard, fall 2023 | Men 45% · Women 55% |
| First-generation students College Scorecard | 40% |
| First-year students from another state IPEDS, fall 2023 | 11% |
| Total students | 42,376 |
| Average net price (per year) After grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid | $12,470 |
| Cost of attendance (per year) | $38,701 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $15,500 |
| Graduation rate First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time | 86% |
| Graduation rate for Pell grant recipients College Scorecard, within 6 years | 86% |
| Graduation rate for first-generation students College Scorecard, within 6 years | 85% |
| Borrowers paying down their loans within 3 years College Scorecard, within 3 years | 82% |
| First-year retention | 94% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $84,943 |
| Admission rate | 27% |
| Application fee IPEDS, 2023–24 | $80 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 34% |
Value: Exceptional · Top 1% (how it’s computed)
Sources: College Scorecard · IPEDS College Navigator · Net price calculator
College Scorecard, most recent cohorts (data release 06/10/2026); IPEDS 2024-25 directory and institutional characteristics; fall 2023 enrollment.
Earnings by major
Median earnings of bachelor’s graduates a few years after finishing, by major (College Scorecard).
| Major | Median earnings |
|---|---|
| Computer science | |
| Computer engineering | |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | |
| Electrical engineering | |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | |
| Mechanical engineering | |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | |
| Chemical Engineering | |
| Statistics | |
| Physics | |
| Civil engineering | |
| Management science | |
| Other engineering | |
| Economics | |
| Applied mathematics | |
| Global studies | |
| Cognitive Science | |
| Mathematics | |
| Chemistry | |
| Biochemistry | |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | |
| Natural resources and conservation | |
| Political science | |
| Communication studies | |
| Public health | |
| Other visual and performing arts | |
| Biology | |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | |
| Experimental psychology | |
| Neuroscience | |
| History | |
| Family and human development | |
| Music | |
| Other english language and literature/letters | |
| Anthropology | |
| English | |
| Clinical and counseling psychology | |
| Linguistics | |
| Sociology | |
| Ethnic and gender studies | |
| Ecology and evolutionary biology | |
| Psychology | |
| Fine arts | |
| Visual and performing arts | |
| Theatre |
Also offered (no earnings published yet): Area studies, Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology, Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Classics, Computing and information science, Dance, Design, Education (general), Engineering Physics, Engineering Science, Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering, Geology and earth science, Interdisciplinary studies, International relations, Liberal arts, Other physical sciences, Other psychology, Other social sciences, Philosophy, Real Estate Development, Religious studies, Romance languages, Secondary education, Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Zoology/Animal Biology.
What students study most
Share of bachelor’s degrees by field, first majors in 2023–24 (IPEDS).
| Field | Share of degrees |
|---|---|
| Biology | |
| Interdisciplinary studies | |
| Engineering | |
| Social sciences | |
| Psychology |
Campus life
| School colors | |
|---|---|
| Setting | City |
| Part-time undergraduates | 2% |
| Undergraduates aged 25 and older | 4% |
| On-campus room and board (per year) | $18,970 |
| Sports | NCAA Division I · Big West Conference |
| Study abroad | Offered |
| Students per faculty member | 19 to 1 |
| Faculty who are full-time | 88%College Scorecard, fall 2023 |
| Endowment per student | $32,845IPEDS, 2023, per student |
| Dorm space | For about 58% of studentsBeds ÷ undergraduates; not how many live on campus |
| Nearest major airport | San Diego International Airport (SAN)About 10 miles away |
| Nearest city of 250,000 people or more | San DiegoAbout 7 miles away |
| Typical weather | 57°F in January · 72°F in JulyNOAA, 1991–2020, from San Diego Miramar Nas, CA, about 6 miles away |
Federal data (IPEDS and College Scorecard), except school colors.
Campus safety reports
On-campus crimes reported in 2024, per 1,000 students.
| Category | This campus | U.S. rate |
|---|---|---|
| Rape | 0.63 | 0.07 |
| Robbery | 0.09 | 0.01 |
| Aggravated assault | 0.23 | 0.04 |
| Burglary | 0.47 | 0.08 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 10.03 | 0.15 |
Numbers reflect what each campus reported. They differ with campus size and how reporting is done, so compare with care. U.S. rate: total reported offenses divided by total students at every institution in the report.
Questions families ask
- What is University of California-San Diego’s Compass Score?
- Exceptional (grade A). It ranks in the top 5% of rated colleges. The grade comes from outcomes (40%: graduation, retention and earnings), entering students (40%: test scores and selectivity), cost (15%: debt and price after aid) and teaching (5%: class size), all from federal data.
- How much does University of California-San Diego cost after financial aid?
- The average net price is $12,470 a year for students who receive federal aid, after grants and scholarships. What your family pays depends on income; the college’s net price calculator gives your own estimate.
- How hard is it to get into University of California-San Diego?
- University of California-San Diego admitted 27% of applicants in the most recent federal data.
- How do University of California-San Diego’s graduates do?
- 86% of first-time, full-time students graduate within six years; the median earnings of former students ten years after entry are $84,943; the median federal debt at graduation is $15,500.
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About this school’s data
- IPEDS unit ID 110680
- Carnegie classification: Doctoral university (very high research)
- Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission (U.S. Department of Education DAPIP)
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Colleges like this one
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