University of California-San Diego
A good fit for competitive applicants and students who want a major research university experience. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $69,600 within 10 years; strong 88% graduation rate.
About This School
University of California-San Diego is a public institution located in La Jolla, California with approximately 33,787 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 25% of applicants. In-state tuition is $15,265 per year. The graduation rate is 88%, and the typical graduate earns $69,600 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of California, San Diego is a public land-grant research university in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States. Established in 1960, it is the southernmost of the ten campuses of the University of California. It occupies 2,178 acres (881 ha) near the Pacific coast.
This is a strong option for students who want a rigorous research university experience at a reasonable cost — median debt of just $15,500 at graduation is well below the national average, and a 94% freshman retention rate signals that students who get in tend to stay and thrive. With median earnings of $69,600 a decade out, the return on investment holds up, particularly in STEM and health sciences where UCSD has serious depth. The 25% acceptance rate makes it selective but not out of reach, though the large undergraduate population (nearly 34,000) means you'll need to be proactive about building connections — this campus rewards self-starters more than those who expect the experience to come to them.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (33,787 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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