HomeUniversitiesUniversity of California, San Diego
University of California, San Diego
Public UniversityUnited StatesWorld #66

University of California, San Diego

United States

26,802/yr

Avg. tuition

72,165/yr

Living (Bachelors)

61,230/yr

Living (Masters)

110+programs

Courses

About

Established in 1960, the University of California, San Diego is widely recognized as a premier global institution in major university rankings. Operating as a public land-grant research university, it is situated among the ten southernmost campuses of the University of California system. Providing over 200 undergraduate and graduate programs, UC San Diego has enrolled upwards of 33,000 undergraduate students and more than 9,000 graduate students. It stands as the second-most applied-to university in the United States, featuring 12 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools alongside seven undergraduate residential colleges that gathered over 140,000 undergraduate applications for the fall 2021 term.

What is the acceptance rate at the University of California, San Diego?

The acceptance rate at the University of California, San Diego is 28.4%, meaning roughly 28 out of every 100 candidates are accepted. Out of 136,740 applicants, approximately 38,846 gained admission. This demonstrates that the admissions criteria of the university are moderately selective, offering academically qualified students a realistic opportunity to enter the University of California, San Diego.

Top Reasons to Study in the University of California, San Diego

Several factors motivate students to select the University of California, including the following:

  • The campus infrastructure of the University of California, San Diego features solar-paneled installations and numerous buildings that hold LEED certification.
  • More than 20 programs at UC San Diego place within the top 25 nationwide, supported by distinguished faculty members and highly rated curricula.
  • Geisel Library functions as the largest global repository dedicated to the original literary and artistic works of Theodor Seuss Geisel.
  • Embracing diversity, UC San Diego warmly welcomes graduate students arriving from every corner of the globe.
  • The institution hosts a combined total of 8,641 graduate and professional students, which includes 3,648 doctoral students, 3,144 master's students, 907 clinical residents, and 796 medical and pharmacy students.
  • The tuition fee structure at the University of California is $22,000.

Admissions

Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)

28%

Application Fee

$80 - $200

How to Apply at University of California, San Diego

Candidates are required to submit specific documentation during the application procedure, which includes:

  • Scan and upload copies of academic transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended after graduating from high school. Both the front and back pages must be included, even if a page is entirely blank.
  • The academic transcript ought to display relevant applicant details such as full name, institution title, attendance dates, earned grades, academic credits, and the awarded degree if applicable.
  • Statement of purpose.
  • Examination requirements.
  • Visa information.
  • Application fee: A University of California application fee amounting to 140 dollars is mandatory.
  • Letters of recommendation.

Documents Required to Apply to University of California, San Diego

Candidates are required to submit specific documentation during the application procedure, which includes:

  • Scan and upload copies of academic transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended after graduating from high school. Both the front and back pages must be included, even if a page is entirely blank.
  • The academic transcript ought to display relevant applicant details such as full name, institution title, attendance dates, earned grades, academic credits, and the awarded degree if applicable.
  • Statement of purpose.
  • Examination requirements.
  • Visa information.
  • Application fee: A University of California application fee amounting to 140 dollars is mandatory.
  • Letters of recommendation.

Exams Accepted By University of California, San Diego

The University of California accepts applicants worldwide, and meeting the baseline admission criteria involves successfully passing certain standardized examinations. The mandated tests consist of the following:

GPA (Grade Point Average)

International students must earn a GPA of 3.4 better with no grade lower than c

English Proficiency tests

TOEFL - a minimum score of 83 is required

IELTS - a minimum score of 7 is required.

AP/IB Exams

AP Exam - a minimum score of 3,4,5 in English language/literature and composition

IB Exam - a minimum of English (Lang. A) higher level: 5,6,7 And 

English (Lang. A) standard level: 6,7 

Campus Life

Number of campuses the university has 1

Campus locations California

View on Google Earth

Transportation in the city

San Diego Airport (SAN) sits approximately three miles away from the University of San Diego. The fastest travel option from the airport to campus is a 16-minute taxi ride, priced between $50 and $60 (3,972.90 INR to 4,767.57 INR). Alternatively, students can utilize bus shuttles, hire town cars, or make the trip on foot. Bus transit requires roughly 25 minutes with fares spanning from 95 INR to 597 INR. A 9-minute shuttle trip ranges from 1,702 INR to 2,400 INR, whereas a 9-minute town car service costs between 4,200 and 6,000 INR. Walking time is calculated at about 1 hour and 46 minutes. Additional nearby airports encompass Tijuana (19.9 miles), Santa Ana (74.3 miles), and Indio/Palm Springs (83.1 miles).

Services offered by the university

Several primary services made available to students consist of the following:

  • The Campus Assault Resources and Information (C.A.R.E.) initiative at the University of California provides educational resources and support systems to the student body concerning sexual assault and exploitation.
  • Fitness opportunities and athletic facilities are managed and maintained by the campus recreation division.
  • The Center for Health and Wellness Promotion (CHWP) supports the USD community through campus-wide initiatives, individual and group assistance, and research opportunities designed to boost student well-being.
  • The counseling center focuses on enhancing both the mental and physical health of students.
  • Participants gain deeper self-awareness and insight into their interpersonal dynamics through group counseling sessions.
  • The LGBTQ+ center establishes supportive spaces for queer and transgender individuals while teaching the broader campus community about inclusive practices.
  • The cost of living at the University of California, San Diego is approximately $15,000.

Student life at University of California, San Diego

The main campus spans approximately 1152 acres, featuring 761 buildings alongside about 899 acres of natural reserves. The University of San Diego kicks off the autumn semester with a welcome week designed to orient new students, beginning with the All Campus Dance and an introduction to various campus clubs and activities. Throughout the year, the student body government organizes a diverse array of events and concerts. Among the year's largest and most prominent events is the Sun God festival, which draws an annual attendance of nearly 20,000 people and celebrities.

  • Art facilities: The campus is embellished with an extensive collection of art projects, the most renowned being the Sun God.
  • Academic facilities: New structures are continually added as the engineering departments grow. The Geisel Library is available to all students, granting them access to a diverse selection of books.
  • Athletic facilities: The university supports a wide range of sports, including Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Golf, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Volleyball, and Water Polo, among others.

On campus accomodation at University of California, San Diego

On-campus housing options are available exclusively during July and August. In 2022, international students were unable to live on campus due to COVID-19, and staff availability for 2023 remains unconfirmed.

International students are offered two types of housing-

  • Near Campus Apartments by Anatolia -

The apartments offered by Anatolia are conveniently situated near UC San Diego, offering easy access to shopping and transportation. They come fully furnished and equipped with all essential amenities.

Price range-

4 weeks-

2022 Shared bedroom: $1,100 (87,440.54 INR)

2022 Private bedroom: $1,975 (156,995.52 INR)

9 weeks-

2022 Shared bedroom: $2,465 ( 195,946.30 INR)

2022 Private bedroom: $4,438 ( 352,782.83 INR)

11 weeks-

2022 Shared bedroom: $3,010 ( 239,269.11 INR)

2022 Private bedroom: $5,410 ( 430,048.47 INR)

26 weeks-

2022 Shared bedroom: $7,085 ( 5,63,196.57 INR)

2022 Private bedroom: $12,750 ( 1,013,515.35 INR)

  • Off-campus hotels: Residence Inn by Marriott La Jolla

The studio accommodates up to three guests without extra University of California, San Diego Fees.

Faculty

University Faculty:Student Ratio

1:26

University Faculty Stats

In addition to three Fields Medals, eight National Medals of Science, eight MacArthur Fellowships, and three Pulitzer Prizes, UC San Diego academics, researchers, and alumni have earned 27 Nobel Prizes. Among the current faculty, 110 members have been elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, 45 to the Institute of Medicine, and 29 to the National Academy of Engineering.

Career Opportunities

University Endowments Value

2400000000

Internship opportunities at University of California, San Diego

UC San Diego's academic internship program features over one hundred internship listings. Students should browse these databases to discover additional roles suited to their career goals. The university also establishes custom partnerships with campus departments and programs at uc san diego.

Some of the major programs include-

  • UCDC.
  • UC Centre Sacramento.
  • Other major and minor-specific programs.

Placement of University of California, San Diego

Graduates from the University of California, San Diego secure exceptional placements at prominent organizations such as Amazon, Convoy, Harvard University, the London School of Economics, and the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Alumni make significant contributions across both public and private sectors. Approximately 90% of doctoral recipients from the University of California San Diego have known initial placements and work in diverse roles within local, national, and international companies and institutions.

Popular Courses · 110

Last updated August 14, 2026

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University of California, San Diego: Admission 2025-26, Rankings, Fees & Acceptance Rate at UCSD