University of California, San Diego

La Jolla, CA
Acceptance Rate
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Class of 2029
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Key Facts

Acceptance Rates

SAT Range

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Admissions Advantages

    Application Rounds

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    Programs by Median Earnings (1 Year After Graduation)

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    Faculty & Research

    261 faculty · 306 courses · data as of 2026-07-02

    Computer Science40 faculty · 40 courses avg h-index 38.9 #13 of 88 in Computer Science
    Mihir Bellare, Faculty h-index 100
    Notable: “Random oracles are practical” (1993) · 4,689 citations
    Steven Swanson, Department Chair h-index 82
    Notable: “Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer, Version 5.2017, NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology” (2017) · 1,325 citations
    Vineet Bafna, Co-Vice Chair for Academic Personnel h-index 81
    Notable: “The Diploid Genome Sequence of an Individual Human” (2007) · 1,820 citations
    Andrew B. Kahng, Faculty h-index 72
    Notable: “New spectral methods for ratio cut partitioning and clustering” (1992) · 1,279 citations
    Courses: Fluency in Information Technology · Mathematical Beauty in Rome · Principles and Practice of Artificial Intelligence · Mathematical Beauty in Rome Lab · Introduction to Computer Science and Object-Oriented Programming: Python · Introduction to Programming and Computational Problem-Solving I +34 more
    Andrew B. Kahng, Distinguished Professor h-index 72
    Notable: “New spectral methods for ratio cut partitioning and clustering” (1992) · 1,279 citations
    Kenji Nomura, Professor h-index 66
    Notable: “Room-temperature fabrication of transparent flexible thin-film transistors using amorphous oxide semiconductors” (2004) · 7,399 citations
    Y. Shaya Fainman, Distinguished Professor h-index 61
    His group include photonic crystals (band gap); 3-D holographic optical storage for image processing; the investigation of artificial dielectric properties of nanostructures; transparent photonic switching fabric and networks; diffractiv
    Notable: “Lasing action from photonic bound states in continuum” (2017) · 1,417 citations
    Zhaowei Liu, Professor h-index 58
    Notable: “Far-Field Optical Hyperlens Magnifying Sub-Diffraction-Limited Objects” (2007) · 2,165 citations
    Courses: Introduction to Electrical and Computer Engineering · Engineering Computation: Introduction to Programming in C · Rapid Hardware and Software Design for Interfacing with the World · Object-Oriented Programming: Design and Development with C++ · Programming in Python and Object-Oriented Principles · Introduction to Digital Design +34 more
    Neuroscience40 faculty · 26 courses avg h-index 61.5 #1 of 41 in Neuroscience
    Fred H Gage, Adjunct Professor h-index 220
    Notable: “Neurogenesis in the adult human hippocampus” (1998) · 6,305 citations
    Don W Cleveland, Professor h-index 165
    Mark H Ellisman, Professor h-index 127
    Of mosquito CO2-sensing olfactory receptor neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2025 Oct 28; 122(43):e. Charara S, Choy J, Cauwenberghs K , Vijayakumar P , Ng R, Kim KY , Weng SC, Akbari OS , Ellisman MH , Rifkin SA , Su CY . PMID
    Notable: “The Fluorescent Toolbox for Assessing Protein Location and Function” (2006) · 2,760 citations
    Jerold J.M. Chun, Adjunct Professor h-index 119
    Courses: Independent Research · Basic Neuroscience · Neurobiology Boot Camp · Ethics and Survival Skills in Academia · Physiological Basis of Human Information · Development of Neural Circuits +20 more
    Economics40 faculty · 40 courses avg h-index 23 #25 of 104 in Economics
    Allan Timmermann, Professor h-index 75
    Notable: “Data‐Snooping, Technical Trading Rule Performance, and the Bootstrap” (1999) · 1,049 citations
    James D. Hamilton, Distinguished Professor h-index 71
    Notable: “Time Series Analysis.” (1995) · 11,224 citations
    Richard T. Carson, Professor h-index 68
    Notable: “Using Surveys to Value Public Goods: The Contingent Valuation Method” (1990) · 1,572 citations
    Josh Graff Zivin, Professor h-index 54
    Notable: “The Impact of Pollution on Worker Productivity” (2012) · 1,062 citations
    Courses: Principles of Microeconomics · Market Imperfections and Policy · Principles of Macroeconomics · Financial Accounting · Data Analytics for the Social Sciences · 10x10 Career Lessons +34 more
    Government37 faculty · 40 courses avg h-index 20.6 #18 of 100 in Political Science
    James H. Fowler, Professor h-index 82
    Notable: “The Spread of Obesity in a Large Social Network over 32 Years” (2007) · 5,064 citations
    J. Lawrence Broz, Professor h-index 68
    Notable: “The Gendered Nature of Natural Disasters: The Impact of Catastrophic Events on the Gender Gap in Life Expectancy, 1981–2002” (2007) · 1,247 citations
    Kaare Strom, Distinguished Professor h-index 40
    Notable: “A Behavioral Theory of Competitive Political Parties” (1990) · 1,686 citations
    Erik A. Gartzke, Professor h-index 40
    Notable: “The Capitalist Peace” (2007) · 743 citations
    Courses: Data Analytics for the Social Sciences · Introduction to Political Science: American Politics · Introduction to Political Science: Comparative Politics · Introduction to Political Science: International Relations · Power and Justice · Ethics and Society +34 more
    Cognitive Science32 faculty · 40 courses avg h-index 31.8 #5 of 13 in Interdisciplinary Studies
    Bradley Voytek, Professor and Chair h-index 45
    Selected Publications Research Interests Bradley Voytek is a Professor and Department Chair of Cognitive Science, and Professor in the Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute and the Neurosciences Graduate Program at UC San Diego.
    Ayse P. Saygin, Associate Professor h-index 37
    Selected Publications Research Interests Cognitive neuroscience, neuropsychology, neuroimaging, visual perception, attention, multisensory integration, biological motion, social neuroscience, language comprehension, human-machine interactio
    Notable: “Voxel-based lesion–symptom mapping” (2003) · 1,482 citations
    Lera Boroditsky, Professor h-index 36
    Research Interests Relationships between mind, world and language. How we create meaning, imagine, and use knowledge. How the languages we speak shape the ways we think. Faculty Steven Barrera Anne Beatty-Martínez Benjamin Bergen Lera Borod
    Notable: “Metaphoric structuring: understanding time through spatial metaphors” (2000) · 1,831 citations
    David Kirsh, Professor h-index 34
    Courses: Introduction to Cognitive Science · Cognitive Neuroeconomics · Introduction to Computing · Hands-on Computing · Introduction to Data Science · Cognitive Consequences of Technology +34 more

    Faculty counts are directory headcounts; the named list may be a subset. h-index shown only for ORCID-backed or high-confidence OpenAlex matches. Partial — enrichment ongoing.

    Demographics

    Student Outcomes

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    About University of California, San Diego. University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, CA reports an overall acceptance rate of 26.8%, an early-round acceptance rate of 26.8%, a class size of 7,330, and a yield of 21.0% based on the most recent Common Data Set filings. Test-blind UC campus with top-tier STEM programs, especially bioengineering, CS, and marine biology. Highly selective among UC schools.

    Admissions and cost data as of July 3, 2026 (CDS 2024–25 cycle), from the most recent Common Data Set, IPEDS, and College Scorecard.

    University of California, San Diego: key admissions facts

    University of California, San Diego's overall acceptance rate is 26.8% (the most recent Common Data Set). University of California, San Diego's early-round acceptance rate is 26.8% (the most recent Common Data Set). The average unweighted GPA of admitted students at University of California, San Diego is about 3.7 (the most recent Common Data Set). University of California, San Diego's yield rate (the share of admitted students who enroll) is 21.0% (the most recent Common Data Set). The average net price at University of California, San Diego for families earning under $75,000 is about $8,541 per year (U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data).

    Sources: Common Data Set (commondataset.org) · University of California, San Diego on College Scorecard · NCES IPEDS · full source table

    How much does University of California, San Diego cost for a family earning $75,000?

    A family earning under $30,000 pays about $7,525 per year in net price at University of California, San Diego, while families earning over $110,000 pay about $28,785 (source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data). A family earning $75,000 falls in the $48,001–$75,000 bracket and pays about $9,942 per year after grants and scholarships.

    University of California, San Diego: average annual net price by household income (most recent College Scorecard/IPEDS data)
    Household incomeAverage net price per year
    Under $30,000$7,525
    $30,001–$48,000$8,155
    $48,001–$75,000$9,942
    $75,001–$110,000$15,199
    Over $110,000$28,785
    Tuition (in-state, before aid)$14,934
    Tuition (out-of-state, before aid)$52,536
    Room and board$20,319

    Frequently asked questions

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

    University of California, San Diego's overall acceptance rate is 26.8%, based on the most recent Common Data Set. Its early-round (early decision or early action) acceptance rate is 26.8%.

    What SAT score and GPA do you need for University of California, San Diego?

    Admitted students at University of California, San Diego typically have an average unweighted GPA of about 3.7, according to the most recent Common Data Set. These are the middle of the range, so scores above them strengthen an application.

    Is it hard to get into University of California, San Diego?

    Getting into University of California, San Diego is difficult: it admits 26.8% of applicants. Your realistic odds depend on how your GPA and test scores compare to its middle-50% ranges and on your application round — you can estimate them with the free College Monte Carlo chances calculator.

    Does University of California, San Diego offer early decision or early action?

    University of California, San Diego offers early action (non-binding). Applying early can help: its early-round acceptance rate is 26.8%, versus 26.8% overall.

    How much does University of California, San Diego cost after financial aid?

    The average net price at University of California, San Diego — the real cost after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price — is about $8,541 per year for families earning under $75,000, based on U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data. Higher-income families generally pay more; see the full net-price-by-income breakdown.

    How much does University of California, San Diego cost for a family earning $75,000?

    A family earning under $30,000 pays about $7,525 per year in net price at University of California, San Diego, while families earning over $110,000 pay about $28,785 (source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard/IPEDS data). A family earning $75,000 falls in the $48,001–$75,000 bracket and pays about $9,942 per year after grants and scholarships.

    Not sure how to read these numbers? Start with our guide on how to estimate your admission chances.