UCSD vs. USD

University of California San Diego and University of San Diego side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of California San Diego
University of San Diego

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UCSD (26.7% admitted vs 52.4%). Typical SAT 1380 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: UCSD. Average net price is $14,047 vs $37,918 at USD.
  • Graduation: UCSD 85% vs USD 75%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UCSD $67,900 vs USD $70,200 (median).
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Key differences

University of California San Diego University of San Diego
Acceptance rate
UCSD more selective
UCSD26.7%
USD52.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UCSD higher
UCSD1270-1480
USD-
Average net price
UCSD $23,871 less
UCSD$14,047
USD$37,918
In-state tuition
UCSD $42,728 less
UCSD$16,758
USD$59,486
Out-of-state tuition
UCSD $8,528 less
UCSD$50,958
USD$59,486
Graduation rate
UCSD +10 pts
UCSD85%
USD75%
Median earnings (10 years)
USD +$2,300
UCSD$67,900
USD$70,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • UCSD 134,450
  • USD 17,008
  • Admitted
  • UCSD 35,917
  • USD 8,908
  • Acceptance rate
  • UCSD 26.7%
  • USD 52.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UCSD 20.4%
  • USD 12.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UCSD 1380
  • USD
  • Typical ACT score
  • UCSD 31
  • USD
  • Average high school GPA
  • UCSD 3.82
  • USD 3.95
  • Typical high school grades
  • UCSD A-
  • USD A
  • Admissions standards
  • UCSD Exceptional
  • USD Unavailable
  • Applicant competition
  • UCSD High
  • USD Low
  • SAT range
  • UCSD 1270-1480
  • USD
  • ACT range
  • UCSD 28-34
  • USD
  • Submit test scores
  • UCSD Test-free
  • USD Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • UCSD Nov 30, 2026
  • USD Dec 15, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UCSD $16,758
  • USD $59,486
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UCSD $50,958
  • USD $59,486
  • Room & board
  • UCSD $18,970
  • USD $19,918
  • Average net price
  • UCSD $14,047
  • USD $37,918
  • Average grant aid
  • UCSD $25,757
  • USD $40,965
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UCSD 59%
  • USD 84%
  • Graduation rate
  • UCSD 85%
  • USD 75%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UCSD $67,900
  • USD $70,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • UCSD 82%
  • USD 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UCSD $18,500
  • USD $22,904
  • Median loan payment
  • UCSD $191
  • USD $236
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UCSD 19:1
  • USD 13:1
  • Popular majors
  • UCSD
    • Biology (23%)
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • USD
    • Business (39%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Biology (6%)
    • Psychology (6%)
  • Location
  • UCSD La Jolla, CA
  • USD San Diego, CA
  • Setting
  • UCSD Large City
  • USD Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • UCSD 44,256
  • USD 9,714
  • Type
  • UCSD Public 4 Year
  • USD Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UCSD #87
  • USD

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 9,714 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
  • University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 4.8% lower than at University of San Diego ($18,970 vs. $19,918).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.7% higher at USD than at University of California San Diego (about $8,528 more per year; $59,486 vs. $50,958).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at University of California San Diego (84% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 59% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($40,965 vs. $25,757).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both UCSD and USD.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; USD Dec 15, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at USD average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at UCSD (3.82).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 12.4% at USD.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $4,404 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($18,500 vs. $22,904).
  • Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $45 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($191 vs. $236).
  • More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 78%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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