PublicUrbanUniversity of California-San Diego
UCSD UC San Diego
La Jolla, California 92093
Data last updated: August 29, 2026
Highly selective — top graduate earnings
University of California-San Diego is a public institution in La Jolla with particular strength in biology and engineering.
A large campus of 33.8K undergraduates with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
88% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $84,943 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $11,750.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •The city voted to agree to its part of the deal in 1958, and the UC Board of Regents approved construction of the new campus in 1960.
- •UC San Diego was the first general campus of the University of California to be designed "from the top down" in terms of research emphasis.
Source: Wikipedia
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Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Typical Application Requirements
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
76.0%
Median Debt at Grad
$14,778
Programs (190)
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
94%
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
258
Peer Average
240
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
24/7 campus police department, blue-light phone network, emergency mass notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Estimated from CA state average + large city premium