University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Large city
Admissions
- Acceptance rate (most recent year)
- 26.7%
- Applicants (fall 2023)
- 130,771
- Admitted (fall 2023)
- 32,062
- Enrolled freshmen (fall 2023)
- 7,005
- Yield (admitted who enroll)
- 22%
- Acceptance rate – women (fall 2023)
- 28%
- Acceptance rate – men (fall 2023)
- 21%
- SAT reading, middle 50%
- —
- SAT math, middle 50%
- —
- ACT composite, middle 50%
- —
- Enrollees who sent SAT / ACT
- — / —
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey, fall 2023 entering class; test ranges and rate from U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
What they look at
- High school GPA
- required
- High school class rank
- not considered
- High school record (transcript)
- required
- College-prep program completed
- required
- Recommendations
- not considered
- Demonstration of competencies
- not considered
- SAT/ACT scores
- not considered
- English proficiency test (TOEFL etc.)
- required
- Other test
- not considered
- Work experience
- considered
- Personal statement or essay
- required
- Legacy status
- not considered
“Considered” means the college uses it if you submit it, but it isn’t required.
What families actually pay
Average yearly net price (after grants and scholarships) for first-time, full-time students who got aid, by family income.
- Full sticker price (per year)
- $38,701
- Tuition & fees – in-state
- $16,758
- Tuition & fees – out-of-state
- $50,958
- Median debt at graduation
- $15,500
- Students with federal loans
- 21%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Outcomes
- Graduate within 6 years
- 86%
- Freshmen who return for year 2
- 94%
- Median earnings, 1 year after graduating
- $44,612
- Median earnings, 10 years after starting
- $84,943
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Students & campus
- Undergraduates
- 34,948
- Graduate students
- 9,301
- Student-to-faculty ratio
- 19 : 1
- Women
- 55%
- Students receiving Pell grants
- 34%
- Full-time faculty
- 88%
Undergraduate diversity
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release)
Most popular majors
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (June 2026 release) (share of bachelor’s degrees awarded)
Contacts & links
- Chancellor
- Pradeep Khosla
- Main phone
- (858) 534-2230
- Address
- 9500 Gilman Dr, La Jolla, CA 92093
How to apply (2026–27)
| Plan | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Decision | November 30 | end of March |
- Apply with
- Own application
- Application fee
- $80 (waivers available)
- SAT/ACT
- Not considered
- Essays
- UC Personal Insight Questions: answer 4 of 8, 350 words each
Testing: SAT/ACT not considered for admission or scholarships
Financial aid policies
- FAFSA only, no CSS Profile
- UC Blue and Gold: most CA families earning up to $100,000 get tuition covered
Early rounds & waitlist (2025-2026)
- Waitlist: offered / accepted / admitted
- 36,709 / 25,411 / 5,284
Source: the college’s official website and Common Data Set 2025-2026: admissions.ucsd.edu, admissions.ucsd.edu, admissions.ucsd.edu, admission.universityofcalifornia.edu. Dates can change, so always confirm on the college’s site.