University of California-San Diego
Acceptance
27%
In-State
$16,758
Grad Rate (4yr)
74%
Retention
94%
Earnings
$84,943
AI Overview
Perched on Pacific bluffs in La Jolla, UC San Diego combines powerhouse STEM research with unexpectedly strong humanities programs—its Literature department rivals prestigious liberal arts colleges. The campus culture skews studious and collaborative rather than competitive, with a unique college system that divides undergrads into smaller residential communities. Students who are intellectually curious self-starters thrive here, drawn to world-class labs and the chance to surf between classes. The Scripps Institution of Oceanography, right on campus, offers unmatched marine science opportunities.
AI-generated interpretation, separate from the federal statistics on this page · refreshed Mar 2026
SAT Score Range
SAT data not available
ACT Score Range
ACT data not available
In-State Tuition
$16,758
Out-of-State Tuition
$50,958
Room & Board
$18,970
Average Net Price
$12,470
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants & scholarships
Receive Pell Grants
34%
Take Federal Loans
21%
Median Debt at Graduation
$15,500
6-Year Graduation Rate
1st Year Retention Rate
Median Earnings
10 years after enrollment
$84,943Median Debt
At graduation for completers
$15,500Top Programs by Earnings
Bachelor's degree graduatesComputer Science
518 graduates
$159,487
4 yrs after graduation
Computer Engineering
174 graduates
$149,139
4 yrs after graduation
Mathematics and Computer Science
299 graduates
$137,218
4 yrs after graduation
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
75 graduates
$123,320
4 yrs after graduation
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
189 graduates
$118,150
4 yrs after graduation
Biological/Biosystems Engineering
21 graduates
$111,677
4 yrs after graduation
Mechanical Engineering
147 graduates
$104,229
4 yrs after graduation
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering
87 graduates
$100,173
4 yrs after graduation
Biomedical/Medical Engineering
92 graduates
$98,687
4 yrs after graduation
Chemical Engineering
101 graduates
$96,798
4 yrs after graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard
Available Programs
92+ programsAnd 80 more programs available
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