About University of California-San Diego

Founded in 1960, University of California-San Diego. is a Public college. Located in California, which is a city setting in California, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 28,127 full time undergraduate students, and 6,852 full time graduate students.

The University of California-San Diego Academic calendar runs on a Quarter basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 19:1. There are 1253 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of California-San Diego include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate35%
Application Deadline
Application Fee70
SAT Range1170-1450
ACT Range27-33

Admissions at UCSD are considered More Selective, with ,68% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 7 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

100% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 100% were in the top quarter, and 100% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of California-San Diego.

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    300 Students rated on-campus housing 3.6 stars. 13 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    249 Students rated off-campus housing 3.3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    321 Students rated campus food 3.4 stars. 14 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    322 Students rated campus facilities 4.1 stars. 30 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    322 Students rated class size 3.2 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    321 Students rated school activities 3.6 stars. 21 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    321 Students rated local services 4 stars. 36 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    323 Students rated academics 3.9 stars. 39 % gave the school a 5.0.

University of California-San Diego REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of University of California-San Diego?

150 Students rated University of California-San Diego

Nathan - 02/26/2025

I think UCSD is a very solid school. I'm here only really to get my degree and head out though if you really wanted to there are many things to find fun about here. More important the location is great and unlike any other UC as San Diego is just a great area to be around with especially great food.

Sophia - 12/30/2024

I think its a wonderful school, the amount of resources from local to national to even international is amazing. Great programs for internships, classes, on hands work and research is really incredible because it opens you so many doors. The professors are challenging as well as passionate, all have treated me with respect, great diversity actually of professors coming from multiple backgrounds as well as TAs. The community haas an event everyday with lots of diversity but our party life is not the best as its very gate kept. The students are competitive but also just someone trying to get through college, some are local, others from California and then international, there aren't many out of state students but you can still find people to connect with. We aren't big on sports but a little bigger on arts (specially visual arts) and the area is really good, pretty safe, you got a mall a village and the beach 20 mins away using public transportation. The dorms depending on your college can be really good or ok, they are well maintained tho and the food on campus is not bad. There is lots to explore in San Diego and yes prices are high with housing and living outside university but you learn with the experience of college and life.

Josephina - 11/18/2024

I attended University of California San Diego from 2018 to 2022 to earn my bachelor's degree in psychology, and my experience is something I will always be grateful for. As a psychology student, my professors were extremely knowledgeable in the field of psychology and inspired me to pursue psychology at the graduate level. Class sizes ranged from 50 to 200 students depending on the course. While this may seem intimidating, I still felt supported and was able to build connections with my professors despite the student to professor ratio. During my senior year of college, I had the opportunity to serve as an undergraduate instructional assistant for two courses, psychopharmacology and clinical psychology. This experience allowed me to collaborate with professors as part of the teaching team and help other students succeed in a course that I was successful in. It is truly incredible that University of California San Diego has so many opportunities to both learn and give back to other students by helping them on their educational journey. Outside of academics, University of California San Diego has several different organizations to get involved in and meet new people. I was a member of the Tri Delta sorority while I attended. It can be difficult to make friends at a university with over 30,000 students, and it is easy to feel lost in the crowd. However, my involvement in Greek life gave me lifelong friendships and a sisterhood of incredible women with similar goals and values. I also volunteered with an organization called StRIVE. With StRIVE, I was given the opportunity to create and lead different activities in classrooms for students ages 18-22 with developmental disorders. Both Tri Delta and StRIVE gave me the opportunity to build meaningful relationships and give back to my community. Regardless of what it is that interests you, there are many different organizations to help students find their sense of belonging and purpose.

Brian - 10/15/2024

I have been here for four years and am doing my graduate studies here now. Everything is made accessible to you as lectures are available online on a podcast website, or professors record them. Although you have to reach out a lot to make new friends, they can be some of the best people. You need a car to go around anywhere in San Diego, but it gives you an excuse to hang out with your housemates or friends. Everyone is really smart and the higher you go, the smarter they may get. It is a nice challenge, but for some people can be tough if you start to get behind and lose your balance.

Sabrina - 10/07/2024

My in-person experience was cut a bit short because of COVID years, but I ultimately enjoyed my time here. Social Life: With such a large campus, it *can* be socially isolating but it helps to make an effort by joining orgs and talking to your classmates. I made some close friends that I still keep in contact with 2 years out of my undergrad. We have Greek Life. I was in a co-ed frat. Although generally I do feel like it's less likely for random students to just start chatting you up. Perhaps we have a larger percentage of introverts haha Housing: On-campus, it honestly varies depending on which college you live in. Some are much newer/nicer than others. I was a Warren student and I found that they were acceptable. A bit far on the edges of campus but generally liked the people living there. I did the apartments for my first 2 years. Off-campus can be pretty costly, but I don't have extensive experience due to COVID. Campus: The campus itself is pretty nice with some interesting art installations and of course, Geisel Library itself. Our study lounges, campus center, and other facilities are nice. Dining hall food is about what you'd expect. There's many options but it's mid or below average. Nothing to write home about. I cooked better food. Student activities/surrounding area entertainment: We have Sun God, the spring music festival, that usually gets some big-name artists. With all the recent improvements done like Sixth College's building with Blue Bowl (yum, acai) and the blue line trolley, it's very convenient as well. I utilize the surrounding gorgeous beach views often. The Torrey Pines hike is easy and pretty too. I like going to Convoy St when I'm craving Asian-flavored cuisine. Classes: I'm speaking as a Liberal Arts major at a largely STEM school. Gen Ed class sizes were typical for a UC. I liked my major classes b/c I got some smaller sizes that allowed for more in-depth discussions and closer relations with my peers. I feel like maybe the academic rigor of the program could've been better but I had some great teachers and I feel like I came out of my major having fine-tuned my craft more and with greater technical knowledge than before.

Aiden - 09/18/2024

The Univeristy of California, San Diego is a school that excels in academics, that is not a question. We are a R1 university and the professors we are taught by are some of the leading researchers in their fields. When attending this school you cannot help but feel the academia from the numerous buildings dedicated to research alone. The campus facilities as a whole are beautiful, the university partners with art donors from around the world to decorate the vast amount of land their reside on with art. The campus is beautiful, when it is not under construction. UCSD is constantly innovating and constantly adding to it large number of building and facilities that it sometimes feels overwhelming. When the projects are done they add a lot to the space but in the two years before then it leaves something to be desired from the attending cohorts. Socially, the school is more commonly knows and UC Socially Dead. While this can be the case for some students who drown themselves in their studies, even studious attendants are able to find some type of social atmosphere with very little leg work. No, there is hardly a party culture, but there is a social culture. With a number of things to do on campus alone, students can be assured to find their own nest within the campus. On top of that, the campus is located to numerous shopping plazas and for the students who are lucky enough to have a car in their time there, most everything is within driving distance. The university, being one of the of the top three public universities in California, could be far more cliquish and closed off, but as competitive as the students are, most will welcome you with open arms. Overall, I loved my time at UCSD and would highly recommend the university to anyone seeking to apply.

Michael - 09/13/2024

I am hoping to be the 1st member in my family to attend UCSD. We were raised in poverty and poor environment where college and education was not encouraged. I had to help out my parents to collect cans inorder to recycle, earn money, and save for my siblings and my parents. My little brother has bad asthma and so we are also trying to find means besides asking money from my parents inorder to help with my brothers asthma prescriptions. I many not be as fortunate as those kids who have very successful parents who can pay for their education but being in the family struggle we've been in, me and my siblings have been forced to grow up fast and pray that we will see another day especially helping my parents make ends meet. But today, I am very grateful that I am alive and healthy and can dream about one day going to college especially UCSD.

Yissel - 09/02/2024

Overall, I really love being at UC San Diego. College really is what you make of it in this situation. Being involved in clubs, sports, or Greek life will really bring you out of your shell here. However, UC San Diego does have its share of flaws, but being close to nature and having a peaceful campus really makes up for those flaws.

Andrea - 08/03/2024

While visiting the University of California- San Diego campus, I found some great things about the school. I loved the atmosphere of the campus; especially how social the students are. Love the big selection of clubs to join, there is truly something for everyone to be a part of here. The only thing I don't like about this campus is that there seems to be a lot of robbery, I get a safety notification at least once a week for crimes that happen on campus. Other than that, love the dorm space and increase in dorm buildings to accommodate more students.

Michelle - 08/02/2024

UCSD is a university where students are sure to find a lot of professional and academic opportunities, but student life tends to be sterile and not very great for letting loose. During my time at UCSD, I found a very skilled and respected academic advisor when taking a child development class I was interested in. She appreciated my genuine interest, and supported my journey into graduate school. The campus is dry, and partying can often be hard to come by. When I was attending, UCSD tended to attempt to shut down student run organizations that interfered with the curated and groomed reputation of the school. However, recently, the university has begun to tolerate their presence more. Organizations like the food co-op and the Che Cafe are permitted to exist on campus because students leading and organizing their communities provides important life experience. UCSD is a place for those who are serious about their studies and don't mind working to seek out social experiences.

Aaryan - 07/04/2024

The University of California, San Diego has been a decent experience during my two years of attendance. The location is beautiful with various tourist attractions and amazing architectural structure. The teachers seem to really care about the students and their work, rarely cancelling classes or switching to Zoom if necessary, while also maintaining active office hours and hiring qualified TA's to guide students. Although the morals of the school seem to be beautiful and appealing, the ethics of the school are questionable. The protests against the funding of Israel resulted in over 60 arrests, a student once smeared feces to resemble a Nazi swastika, the "Compton Cookout" is self-explanatory, etc. There is ugliness found within this beautiful campus.

London - 07/03/2024

UCSD a great school for focused, open minded, go getters. From my experience, most students know where they're headed as soon as they get there or not very long after. It's too expensive of a school not to. The campus is absolutely beautiful. There are areas still being added and expanded upon, making it one of the largest public universities in the state. Campus life is genuinely what you make of it. The acronym used by both Tritons and outsiders is UC "Socially Dead" because of the lacking social life. However, as I said, most students there are laser focused and many come out with degrees backed by stellar research and plenty unique and beneficial extracurriculars and leadership experience. It's located in La Jolla which a rather affluent area of San Diego. The quiet weekends can be nice after a busy week of classes. Thousands of people are on campus at any given moment during the height of each quarter! As far as diversity, UCSD has large Asian and White populations. International students from India and other parts of Europe are common as well. I'm proud to say I'm one of the very few African Americans on campus. Living on campus can be more enjoyable in some areas than others, depending on how far you have to walk to class. UCSD is broken into 8 colleges that each have their own GE requirements. This promotes commonality amongst roommates and gives students a sense of solidarity with others in their college. UCSD is a great school overall, but it certainly fits the personalities and priorities of some rather than others.

Esteban - 06/01/2024

UC San Diego is a very interesting campus in that there is no centralized campus culture. You can choose from 8 different colleges, yes, but you would be only scratching the surface; We have a rich and diverse array of organizations and clubs, you can be certain that there are at least a couple of clubs that will pique your interests. Each college is unique not only in location and style, but also in general education requirements. I can speak from experience that Revelle places Humanities (especially), Natural Sciences, and Mathematics in high regard. Before choosing a college based on location and housing, select based on general education requirements as well (I did not). Campus is very large, so make sure you have a portable means of transportation! electric scooters, bikes, and skateboards are welcome, there are designated bike lanes around campus, but not in all areas including Library Walk where there are designated hours for transportation because of how populated campus center is. Classes that may be 10 minutes apart may also be a 20-minute walking distance, so come prepared! In regard to studying, you will find it easy in designated locations in each college, but they are public. If you want a more private study location, you can select a time slot in Geisel Library or Price Center. Private study spaces also vary in size, such as a classroom size, but these spaces are limited, so plan your slot ahead and you're golden. Social life on campus varies based on the people you get affiliated with. In my personal experience, most of campus life isn't on the surface level, thus leading to the "UC Socially Dead" stereotype. In truth it is mostly because campus infrastructure and academic culture/life gets in the way of making friendships (We use a quarter system), but fear not! There are always casual social event happening around campus, so there are never any excuses to miss out all of them. My personal favorite is Triton Tails, where I can share my interest in anything furry related with my peers that we share in common. This club also got me friendships outside of UC San Diego! For more casual social locations, I recommend Middle of Muir (MOM) Cafe. The internet isn't great, but you can meet many different people there as well as hold study sessions in a more casual environment rather than a private one. The culture in MOM is much more open to casual conversation than any other location on campus in my opinion. Another good location is Price Center and their game room. They have pool tables, tabletop tennis/ping pong, board games and video games! If you live in 7th College, you have access to their game room which is only available to residents of 7th College. Overall, I believe that UC San Diego has more to offer than people give it credit for. Not only does its location leave a lot to explore around San Diego, but it is also very beautiful in scenery and weather. If you have the chance to visit UC San Diego, please give it a try on Triton Days!

Shayna - 12/27/2023

UC San Diego is a great school! There are a variety of useful campus resources including free tutoring at the library, therapy animals that come 2-3 times a quarter, a wellbeing lounge, and many counseling group/individual therapy/activity programs. The academic advisors and professors are generally very approachable and have clear office hours set, easy to get communication, and so many good course options. Campus is lovely and very easy to navigate/commute by. Lots of dining options to choose from and for the most part the food is very good. Quality of housing really depends on which college neighborhood you're in- some are much newer and nicer than others. Social aspect is a little difficult as there aren't a ton of diverse/interesting clubs but if you put in the effort you'll meet people.

Hannah - 07/23/2023

As I sit down to pen this review, my heart swells with gratitude and fondness for the school that has been my home away from home. My journey at UCSD has been nothing short of remarkable, filled with cherished memories, invaluable lessons, and friendships that will last a lifetime. From the moment I stepped through the school's welcoming doors, I knew I was in for something extraordinary. The warm and nurturing environment created by the dedicated faculty and staff instantly made me feel like part of a caring family. Each teacher's passion for their subject and commitment to the students has been truly inspiring, fostering a love for learning that has stayed with me. One of the most beautiful aspects of UCSD is the close-knit community it fosters. I have been fortunate to find friends who share my passion for learning and embrace a zest for life. Together, we have navigated the challenges of academics, celebrated each other's successes, and lent a supportive shoulder during tougher times. The bonds we've forged will forever hold a special place in my heart. Speaking of challenges, UCSD never shies away from pushing its students to strive for excellence. The rigorous curriculum and thought-provoking assignments have stretched my intellectual boundaries and taught me the value of hard work and perseverance. I have discovered that embracing challenges not only expands my knowledge but also builds resilience and self-confidence. But it's not just academics; UCSD has also offered an array of extracurricular activities that have allowed me to explore my interests and talents. Whether it's the debate club, sports teams, or the creative arts, the school provides a platform for every student to shine and discover their true passions. As I stand on the precipice of a new chapter in life, I am filled with immense gratitude for the life-changing experiences I've had at UCSD. The wisdom imparted by my teachers, the joy shared with friends, and the thirst for knowledge kindled here will stay with me forever. This school has not only prepared me academically but has also instilled in me the values of compassion, integrity, and empathy, which I will carry with me on my journey ahead. Regenerate response Free Research Preview. ChatGPT may produce inaccurate information about people, places, or facts. ChatGPT July 20 Version

University of California-San Diego FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at University of California-San Diego?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of California-San Diego is 35%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020, _____ students were offered admission.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I would definately look at more college choices , even if it meant going out-of-state. I would make sure to enroll in a college-transition program, so that I'd be well prepared at the beginning of school. I would try to sit through a lecture to get a sense of what I was going to get into. Search the school for their extra-curricular activities they offer. What sports are offered there? Is their carreer center helpful/convenient? Talk to students already enrolled and get some honest answers from them; ask if they enjoy that campus. Make sure you like the location. For ex: Are you into cold/hot weather. Do you like the beach or the snow? Do you see yourself graduating from that college in particular? Do you know what you want to major/minor in? Check out the dorm-living life. Are there convenient ways of getting thorugh and out of campus? Do you like the fast-food places on campus? What type of work-study jobs are available for students? Is the college aiming to GO-GREEN? How are the students giving back to the community in general? What kind of attractions are around?

    Read all 269 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    Young, inexperienced, academically smart and socially ignorant

    Read all 129 answers
  4. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    This school is a good bang for your buck.

    Read all 105 answers
  5. What are the academics like at your school?

    The academics are ridiculously competitive, overly stressful, and unnecessarily intense. Some professors are great, some are terrible, and some are in the middle.

    Read all 103 answers
  6. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    The biggest stereotype at UCSD is that it is socially dead and that all the students are really big nerds.

    Read all 92 answers
  7. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Associated Students, the Student Foundation, and intervarsity are popular on campus. Our sports are not popular at all. AT ALL. Our theater department and plays are great.

    Read all 92 answers
  8. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    unfortunately, yes.

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  9. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    University of California San Diego is a wonderful place to learn with its calm, breezy atmosphere due to its close beaches while at the same time is challenging in its academics.

    Read all 71 answers
  10. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    UC San Diego is a great balance being an academically and athletically competitive school. It is the only NCAA Division II school in the nation that does not offer scholarships to athletes because the school wants to maintain its high academic standard. UC San Diego is the best fit for me in between an extremely competitive Division I athletic school and an extremely competitive Division III academic school.

    Read all 70 answers
  11. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    There's so much focus on "chasing the grade" that learning often gets overlooked.

    Read all 57 answers
  12. What's unique about your campus?

    The best thing about UCSD is the 6 college system. By splitting up this huge campus, more intricate relationships may form, as well as healthy competition and motivation inside the institution. There is a place for everybody.

    Read all 55 answers
  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Someone who is dedicated. If you think you can just sit around and do nothing because "that's what you did in high school" think again. This college is very demanding.

    Read all 51 answers
  14. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    How to find cheaper books, and where to find cheper books.

    Read all 51 answers
  15. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    beach, socially dead, mexico, nice location, nice view, nice weather

    Read all 43 answers
  16. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Students who do not like to work hard, read a very heavy load and write loads of papers. This is a tough school and you will have to focus on academics over a social life.

    Read all 36 answers
  17. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    My school lacks school spirit It is wonderful that we are so academically oriented, but students do not support other students doing different activities such as sports, acting, and clubs. By supporting different events around campus, it would create a more unified and encouraging environment. A large increase in school spirit and support for students representing the school would make my experience at UC San Diego so much better.

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  18. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    It is a premier institution and located in a beautiful area.

    Read all 31 answers
  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    Read all 31 answers
  20. Describe the dorms.

    The dorms differ depending on what college you're situated at. ERC - some of the newest dorms are here so they're the nicest. The rooms are nice and spacious probably 10x15 for most of them. Everything is a kind of cream color, furniture is pretty sufficient, and each floor has a common room. Depending on if you're in a school dorm or apartment, there's one kitchen per building and the latter one kitchen per apartment. The quad is oval shaped so everyone is facing each other and I think the set up of things makes ERC feel the most like a community because everyone leaves their doors open too. Transfer housing - it's the newest and the nicest. There's actually some color there - cream, green, and grey. They have a lot of really high tech stuff, too. The rest I can't really say much about because I've never been there, but I can give you the typical opinions. Marshall - the most realistic apartment housing Muir - best known for it's view and themed housing Revelle - worst housing because it's super small, but they're building new dorms so they should be REALLY nice from what I've seen Warren - normal? Sixth - if you like camping, then you should hopefully like these dorms because they're fashioned after log cabins.

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  21. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    UCSD is an excellent school, academically (especially for Aerospace, my major, for which there are many companies nearby), has plenty to do outside of the classroom, has a thriving automotive club (Formula SAE) that I participate in, and my older brother is studying for his MBA here and my sister in law is finishing her undergraduate studies as well.

    Read all 11 answers

Student Body

Students

48%

female

52%

male

28,127

Total Undergrad Enrollment

6,852

Total Grad Students

7%

Out-Of-State

74%

In-State

19%

International

Organizations

405

Student Organizations

19

Fraternities

14

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

43%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
36%
% Black or African-American
1%
% Hispanic/Latino
17%
% White or Caucasian
20%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

56% of students attending University of California-San Diego receive some sort of financial aid. 26% were awarded federal grants.32%received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$40,327

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,541

Books and Supplies

$12,545

Room and Board

54,413

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$8,585
$30 - $48K
$9,541
$48 - $75K
$13,367
$75 - $110K
$20,277
$110K & UP
$27,866

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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