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Public · La Jolla, California

University of California-San Diego

Urban campus · 34,948 undergraduates · 19 students per faculty member · Official website

Acceptance rate
27%
Test scores
Test-optional
Average net price
$12,470
per year, after grants
6-year graduation
86%
Campus of University of California-San Diego
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Is University of California-San Diego a reach, a target or a likely for your student?

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What University of California-San Diego costs

Net price is what a first-year student pays for a year after grants and scholarships, by family income. It is usually far below the sticker price.

Net price by family income

Under $30,000
$7,525
$30,001 – $48,000
$8,155
$48,001 – $75,000
$9,942
$75,001 – $110,000
$15,199
Over $110,000
$28,785

For students receiving federal aid, at in-state tuition.

These are in-state prices. Your family's price, at your income and from your home state, is in your account.See your family's price →

Price and aid

Full cost of attendance (sticker)
$38,701
Tuition, in-state
$16,758
Tuition, out-of-state
$50,958
First-years given a grant by the school
54%
Average grant from the school
$11,860
Median debt at graduation
$15,500
The school's own net price calculator
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Admissions

Acceptance rate
27%
SAT middle 50%
–
ACT middle 50%
–
Test scores
Test-optional
First-year retention
94%

Is this a reach, a target or a likely?

Below, inside or above the range, with the acceptance rate, decides reach, target or likely. U Shortlist works it out from your student’s own scores and keeps it separate from fit.

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University of California-San Diego athletics

NCAA D1, 11 women's and 12 men's sports

Varsity teams and roster sizes
SportWomen’s rosterMen’s roster
Baseball–42
Basketball1616
Cross country12060
Fencing2018
Golf–11
Rowing4741
Soccer3131
Softball25–
Swimming & diving2626
Tennis1212
Track & field12060
Volleyball2022
Water polo2429

Participants reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A dash means no team for that side.

Find every NCAA D1 school with women’s soccer within 300 miles of you, on one map with net price and admission odds.Search by sport →

Academics and outcomes

Most popular fields

Biological & biomedical sciences
19%
Multi/interdisciplinary studies
18%
Engineering
12%
Social sciences
9%
Psychology
9%
Computer & information sciences
7%

Share of bachelor’s degrees awarded.

6-year graduation rate
86%
First-year retention
94%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$84,943
Median debt at graduation
$15,500
Students with a Pell grant
34%

Similar colleges nearby

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (admissions, prices, outcomes), IPEDS Student Financial Aid 2023–24 (school grants) and Equity in Athletics 2024–25 (teams). No college paid to appear here or can pay to be ranked.

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Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS and Equity in Athletics. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. © 2026 U Shortlist.