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University of California System

University of California - San Diego

#31 in Top Public Universities in America
  • A
    Overall Grade
  • 4 Year
  • La Jolla, CA
  • 3,380 reviews
    A
    Overall Niche Grade
    How are grades calculated?
    1. Academics
      A
    2. Value
      A
    3. Diversity
      A
    4. Campus
      B-
    5. Athletics
      B
    6. Party Scene
      B-
    7. Professors
      A
    8. Location
      A-
    9. Dorms
      C+
    10. Campus Food
      B
    11. Student Life
      B
    12. Safety
      B-
    View Full Report Card
    UC San Diego is a highly rated public university located in San Diego, California. It is a large institution with an enrollment of 27,880 undergraduate students. Admissions is fairly competitive as the UC San Diego acceptance rate is 34%. Popular majors include Computer Science, Economics, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Graduating 85% of students, UC San Diego alumni go on to earn a starting salary of $43,400.
    About University of California - San Diego...
    Athletic Division
    NCAA Division II (without football)
    Athletic Conference
    Division II Independents
    Address
    9500 Gilman Dr
    La Jolla, CA 92093
    Branch of
    University of California System
    Website
    ucsd.edu
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    University of California - San Diego Rankings

    Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of key statistics from the U.S. Department of Education and millions of reviews.

    Admissions

    Acceptance Rate
    34%
    Application Deadline
    November 30
    SAT Range
    1210-1410
    ACT Range
    27-33
    Application Fee
    $70
    SAT/ACT
    Required
    High School GPA
    Required
    Early Decision/Early Action
    No

    Test Prep

    SAT and ACT Prep Options
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    Cost

    Net Price
    $14,616/ year
    National
    $15,523
    Average cost after financial aid for students receiving grant or scholarship aid, as reported by the college.
    Average Total Aid Awarded
    $18,231/ year
    National
    $7,535
    Students Receiving Financial Aid
    59%

    Academics

    Professors
    A
    Based on faculty accomplishments, salary, student reviews, and additional factors.
    Student Faculty Ratio
    19:1
    Evening Degree Programs
    No
    71%
    of students agree that professors put a lot of effort into teaching their classes.204 responses
    40%
    of students agree that it is easy to get the classes they want.226 responses
    35%
    of students agree that the workload is easy to manage.227 responses
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    Majors

    Most Popular Majors
    • Computer Science
      607 Graduates
    • Economics
      564 Graduates
    • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
      470 Graduates
    • Anatomy
      390 Graduates
    • Biology
      343 Graduates
    • Communications
      315 Graduates
    • Management Sciences and Information Systems
      307 Graduates
    • Political Science and Government
      294 Graduates
    • Electrical Engineering
      273 Graduates
    • Neuroscience and Neurobiology
      248 Graduates

    Students

    Full-Time Enrollment
    27,880Undergrads
    Part-Time Undergrads
    707
    Undergrads Over 25
    5%
    Pell Grant
    31%
    Varsity Athletes
    2%
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes the typical student at this school?
    Based on 117 responses
    Report
    • From SoCal, Asian, Bio Major, PreMed
      41%
    • Intellectual
      21%
    • STEM
      15%
    • Smart
      9%
    • Chill
      4%
    • Brilliant
      3%
    • Cool
      2%

    Campus Life

    Freshmen Live On-Campus
    —
    Poll
    59%
    of students say that Greek life is average, and no one will treat you differently if you don't join.293 responses
    Poll
    60%
    of students say varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life.335 responses
    Poll
    What one word or phrase best describes your school?
    Based on 173 responses
    Report
    • If you don't get involved, you're doing it wrong
      21%
    • Great undergraduate experience
      18%
    • Can be Amazing or disappointing
      18%
    • Engineers
      12%
    • Love it or hate it
      8%
    • Awesome
      8%
    • Continuously growing and improving
      6%

    After College

    Median Earnings 6 Years After Graduation
    $59,900/ year
    National
    $33,028
    Graduation Rate
    85%
    National
    49%
    Employed 2 Years After Graduation
    89%
    National
    83%
    67%
    of students feel confident they will find a job in their field after graduation.147 responses
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    University of California - San Diego Reviews

    3,380 reviews
    All Categories
    So far I have loved my experience at UCSD! It is academically challenging but has never been more than I can handle. Socially it can be more challenging to make new friends at random because it is a very STEM heavy school which tends to interest more introverts. But the extroverts and socialites are out there if you look. Clubs, organizations, and Greek life have been great ways to meet like-minded people! Instructors and staff have always made time to meet one on one with students by request. It is a 10 minute walk from the beach though most of the time students are indoors studying. Counseling services are stretched thin and it is hard to find an appointment. It is a very diverse and LGBTQ friendly school.
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    If you want to learn, you will learn. The academics here are amazing and although classes are generally pretty hard, the professors are (almost) all amazing. You will always feel safe here, and with a 10 minute walk from the beach and good food all around, you will love it. On campus food, in my opinion, is still great! My favorite food is from revelle, muir, marshall, and erc. If you want to find good food on campus you still can! As for the social scene, you may not be able to find parties as easily as you do at say, UCSB, but I can assure you that if you want to find parties, you will. There are many, many parties here but you just have to look for them. Oh! And did I mention we are officially moving to Division I athletics? If you go to UCSD you will enjoy it if you choose to. Just go out of you dorm.
    To say the least, UCSD is a very, interesting school. I had the pure luxury of having outstanding professors. The housing situation is awkward. The students all go to the same university, chasing the same education, while having vastly different living situations, being a very good or bad thing for the kids(including myself). But after one year I can say I wouldn't go anywhere else. I'm home!