UC San Diego

San Diego, CA

65.0%

Acceptance Rate

1150

Avg SAT

Avg ACT

3.25

Avg GPA

The University of California, San Diego, founded in 1960, has achieved remarkable prominence in just over six decades. Built around the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and inspired by dreams of creating "the MIT of the West," UCSD has become a world leader in science, engineering, and innovation. The university consistently ranks among the top 20 globally and top 10 among public universities. UCSD's culture emphasizes research, innovation, and collaboration. The laid-back Southern California vibe coexists with intense academic focus. Students here are genuinely interested in learning rather than merely credentialing. The entrepreneurial spirit has spawned numerous biotech and technology companies in the surrounding area. Notable alumni include Qualcomm founders, Nobel laureates, and leaders in biotechnology and technology. Economist Theodore Schultz, biologist Craig Venter, and journalist Lester Holt graduated from UCSD. The university's research has revolutionized telecommunications, genomics, and environmental science. UCSD enrolls approximately 33,000 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate students on a 1,200-acre campus in La Jolla, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The campus combines eucalyptus groves with striking modern architecture, including the famous Geisel Library. UCSD's location in San Diego's biotechnology corridor creates exceptional research and career opportunities.

Admissions

Acceptance Rate: 65.0%
SAT Range: 1050–1250
ACT Range: N/A
Avg GPA: 3.25

Campus & Students

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Outcomes & Cost

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Student Life & Environment

Campus life at UCSD has shed its historic reputation as socially quiet, though the university still attracts students more interested in academics than parties. The residential college system provides built-in communities, with students living, eating, and often socializing within their college affiliations. Athletic events have gained more attention since the university moved to Division I, though game attendance still falls below more sports-focused campuses. Student organizations number in the hundreds, covering academic interests, cultural identities, political perspectives, recreational activities, and countless other purposes. The Price Center serves as the main student union, housing dining options, meeting spaces, and gathering areas. The Triton Recreation Center provides fitness facilities that draw significant student use. Housing guarantees for freshmen and transfer students help new students find their footing, though upper-division students often move off campus to apartments in nearby neighborhoods. La Jolla's affluence means expensive housing, pushing many students to communities farther from campus where rents are more affordable but commutes more challenging. The surrounding area offers beaches within walking distance for some students and a short drive for most. San Diego's weather encourages outdoor activities year-round. The city's craft beer scene, restaurant diversity, and proximity to Mexico provide entertainment options, though the campus's somewhat isolated location means reaching many attractions requires cars or patience with public transit.

Location & Surroundings

La Jolla, the community surrounding UC San Diego, ranks among California's wealthiest neighborhoods. Beautiful beaches, dramatic cliffs, and upscale shopping and dining characterize the area. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps introduces visitors to marine life and ocean research. Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve offers hiking with coastal views. This setting provides aesthetic beauty and research advantages, though the affluence creates affordability challenges for students. San Diego proper sprawls south and east from La Jolla, offering far more diverse neighborhoods, dining options, and entertainment venues. The Gaslamp Quarter downtown provides nightlife, restaurants, and urban atmosphere. Balboa Park contains museums, gardens, and the San Diego Zoo. Little Italy, North Park, Hillcrest, and other neighborhoods each have distinct characters worth exploring. The Mexican border lies just twenty minutes south, with Tijuana offering easy access to another country and culture. Many students cross regularly for food, nightlife, or simply the experience of international travel without the hassle of flights. The border region also shapes San Diego's culture, with Mexican influences visible throughout the city. Weather rarely disappoints in San Diego. Temperatures remain moderate year-round, with summer highs typically in the mid-70s Fahrenheit and winter lows rarely below 50. Rain falls almost exclusively between November and March, and even then sparingly. The June gloom phenomenon brings morning clouds that burn off by afternoon. Students from less temperate climates find the weather a constant pleasure.

Costs & Career Outcomes

Tuition and fees at UC San Diego run approximately $14,500 for California residents and $44,500 for non-residents, with additional costs for housing, food, books, and personal expenses pushing total budgets to $35,000 to $70,000 depending on residency and lifestyle. Financial aid, including grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans, helps many students manage these costs. The UC system's Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan covers tuition and fees for California residents with family incomes below $80,000, making the education effectively tuition-free for many in-state students. Middle-income students also receive substantial aid. International students have fewer financial aid options and should plan accordingly. Career outcomes benefit from San Diego's strong economy and the university's research connections. Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies employ significant numbers of graduates. Technology companies recruit actively, with Qualcomm, founded by a UCSD professor, representing just one example of university-industry connections. Defense and aerospace companies with San Diego presence also hire UCSD graduates. The Career Services Center provides coaching, job boards, recruiting events, and alumni networking opportunities. Internships with companies in San Diego and beyond give students professional experience before graduation. Graduate school preparation helps students aiming for advanced degrees. Alumni connections extend nationally and internationally, providing career support throughout professional lives.