Highlights
- University of California San Diego Acceptance Rate: Undergraduate: 25%; Graduate: 27.12%.
- Annual Fees for Popular Graduate Courses: MBA, Engineering, Business Analytics, Data Science, etc.: USD 17,415 annually.
- Placements: 72.4% of MBA graduates received job offers within 3 months post-graduation with an average salary of USD 126,634 annually.
Established in 1960, University of California San Diego is one of the leading public research institute in the world. UC San Diego is currently listed among the top 20 research universities globally. It is also ranked 7th globally in the list of highly cited researchers by Clarivate. The university is one of the top choices for international students with research backgrounds.
As of fall 2023, around 43,381 students were enrolled at University of California San Diego campus across all courses. International students make up nearly 15% of the total enrolment. UC San Diego demonstrates highly competitive admissions with 25% being admitted to UG and 27.12% admitted to PG courses. To apply for UC San Diego admissions, you need 3.0 or above in previous qualifications.
To cover educational costs at UC San Diego, international students can expect to pay 76,839 USD for UG and 61,206 USD for PG. Students with financial need can cover these costs through various university funded or external scholarships. University Of California San Diego is listed among the top 50 universities in USA for graduate employability with an overall placement rate of 99.75%.
University of California San Diego Rankings 2024
The University of California San Diego has been ranked among the top 100 universities in the world by several ranking bodies. Tabulated below are the University of California San Diego Rankings trends by popular agencies:
| Ranking Agency | Rankings 2024 | Rankings 2023 | Rankings 2022 | Rankings 2021 | Rankings 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #62 | #53 | #48 | #54 | #45 |
| THE World University Rankings | #34 | #32 | #34 | #33 | #31 |
| U.S News and World Report Best Global Universities | #20 | #20 | #21 | #21 | N.A |
| CWUR | N.A | #34 | #34 | #34 | #27 |
University of California San Diego Campus
UCSD is a member of the larger University of California system, which includes 9 other semi-autonomous public institutions. University of California San Diego campus houses 761 buildings used as administrative buildings, classrooms, research centres, medical facilities, sports facilities, residential buildings, Laboratories, Libraries, studios, etc.
- The university consists of 6 schools for undergraduates, 3 colleges for graduate studies, 2 medical centres, and the renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography, recognized as the world's largest institute for geological and marine science.
- The campus specifically has nine sports facilities, including a 5,000-seat arena, and a state-of-the-art training centre for athletes.
- The oldest student tradition is the watermelon drop, which is a summer physics experiment.
- Housing at University of California San Diego is guaranteed for two years for every fresher who meets application and contract deadlines.
UC San Diego Students Life
While living on UC San Diego campus, students can connect with more than 600+ student-led clubs and organizations as per their choice.
- There are 45 Sorority and Fraternity organizations on campus.
- 18,500 students on campus are involved in community service yearly.
- UC San Diego also offers accommodations for international students within the campus during July and August. Apart from this several Off campus housing are also available which include apartments, homestay, and hotels.
University of California San Diego Courses
University of California San Diego offers more than 140 undergraduate and 100+ graduate professional courses through 12 academic departments. The top 5 majors at UC San Diego include psychology, cognitive science, economics, mathematics and biology..
University of California San Diego Admissions 2024
The University of California San Diego admissions are highly competitive with 25% acceptance rate for and 27.12% for PG.
- International applicants are advised to review both program specific and country specific requirements before submitting their applications.
- All Applicants may apply to more than one program at UC San Diego. However, you can not apply to more than one program within the same department.
UC San Diego Admissions: PG
| Category | Admission Requirements |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | UC San Diego Graduate Application |
| Application Fees | 155 USD (12,942 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | 3-4 year undergraduate degree |
| GPA Required | 3.0 (85%) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL iBT: 85 | IELTS: 7.0 |
| Standardized Test Scores | GMAT - 630-704 | GRE - 160-168 in Quant and 155-156 |
| Documents Checklist | 2-3 letters of recommendation | SOP | Resume or CV |
UC San Diego Admissions: UG
| Category | Admission Requirements |
|---|---|
| Application Portal | UC San Diego Undergraduate Application |
| Application Fees | 95 USD (7,932 INR) |
| Academic Requirements | Higher school secondary certificate (Std 12th in Indian CBSE or State Board) |
| GPA Required | 4.11–4.29 (Average) |
| English Proficiency Requirements | TOEFL iBT: 83 | IELTS: 7.0 |
| Documents Checklist | Personal insight questions | Portfolio |
University of California San Diego Fees 2024
Below is an estimated cost of living in USA for international students looking to study undergraduate and graduate courses at UC San Diego:
Graduate Cost of Attendance
| Expenses | Cost (USD) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
|
Living Expenses |
23,115 (On Campus) | 19.29 lakhs (On Campus) |
| 20,484 (Off Campus ) | 17.10 lakhs (Off Campus ) | |
| Books and Supplies | 861 | 71,886 |
| Miscellaneous | 1,452 | 1.21 lakhs |
| Transportation | 1,725 | 1.44 lakhs |
| Supplemental Tuition | 15,102 | 12.60 lakhs |
|
Estimated Total cost |
61,206 (On Campus) | 51.10 lakhs (On Campus) |
| 58,575 (Off Campus) | 48.90 lakhs (Off Campus) |
Undergraduate Cost of Attendance
| Expenses | Cost (USD) | Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Campus fee | 14,436 | 12.05 lakhs |
| Health fee | 2,694 | 2.24 lakhs |
|
Living Expenses |
18,522 (On Campus) | 15.46 lakhs (On Campus) |
| 18,405 (Off Campus) | 15.36 lakhs (Off Campus) | |
| Books and Supplies | 1,287 | 1.07 lakhs |
|
Miscellaneous |
2,229 | 1.86 lakhs |
| 2,370 | 1.97 lakhs | |
|
Transportation |
927 (On Campus) | 77,397 (On Campus) |
| 1,950 (Off Campus) | 1.62 lakhs (Off Campus) | |
| Supplemental Tuition | 34,200 | 28.55 lakhs |
|
Estimated Total Cost |
76,839 | 64.15 lakhs |
| 77,886 | 65.02 lakhs |
University of California San Diego Scholarships for International Students 2024
International students applying at University of California San Diego must note that the institute does provide numerous awards and scholarships to study in USA. Some graduate departments award limited funding to international students. Some such awards are as mentioned below.
| Scholarships | Eligibility | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship (merit-based) | Incoming UG students | academic merit | Up to 10,000 CAD (2,500 CAD per year) |
| Clayton H. Brace Scholarship | Incoming UG students with an interest in communications | Up to 1,000 CAD |
| Charmaine and Maurice Kaplan Scholarship | UG students | academic merit, demonstrated financial need, extracurricular activities | Up to $5,000 per year |
| Ray and Betty Ramseyer Scholarship | Incoming UG students with an interest in the social sciences | Up to 20,000 CAD, paid at up to 5,000 CAD per year |
| Ludwig and Ada Strauss Scholarship | UG students | academic merit, demonstrated financial need | 5,000 CAD per year |
University of California San Diego Placements 2024
According to Times Higher Education Employability Rank 2023-24, the University of California San Diego ranks #36th in USA and #174th in the world.
- The graduates of UC San Diego earn an average salary of 89,000 USD (74.28 lakhs INR) per year according to payscale.com.
- Many of the graduates have secured employment in top global companies including Intel, amazon, Lockheed Martin Corp, hp, Google etc.
- In the year 2023, 72.4% of MBA graduates received job offers within 3 months after graduation at UCSD. The average salary offered to recent MBA graduates is 126,634 USD (1.05 crores INR) per annum.
Top Paying Job Profiles for UC San Diego Graduates:
| Job Profiles | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Software Engineer | 148,943 | 1.24 Cr |
| Software Engineer | 106,427 | 88.83 lakhs |
| Data Scientist | 95,173 | 79.43 lakhs |
| Mechanical Engineer | 89,807 | 74.95 lakhs |
| Project Manager | 85,925 | 71.71 lakhs |
| Data Analyst | 76,460 | 63.81 lakhs |
| Research Associate Biotechnology | 64,766 | 54.05 lakhs |
University of California San Diego Alumni
The University of California San Diego alumni automatically became a part of the alumni association post completion of their degree. At present, there are nearly 245,000 active alumni of UC San Diego across the globe.
University of California San Diego Notable Alumni
| Name of Alumni | Profession |
|---|---|
| Kim Stanley Robinson | Science Fiction Writer |
| Nick Woodman | CEO and Founder, GoPro |
| Kate Rubins | Astronaut, NASA |
| DJ Patil | Data Scientist at White House |
| Milana Vayntrub | Actress, Producer, Writer and Humanitarian |
University of California San Diego Iis one of the popular choices among international students for its academic excellence and research. The university invites international students from 82 countries worldwide. It also offers endless services for international students including on campus employment, merit scholarships, accommodations and academic as well career assistance.
FAQs
Ques: Is the University of California San Diego a good college?
Ans: Yes, University of California San Diego or UCSD is a public university established in 1960. University of California San Diego campus is the 7th oldest of the University of California's 10 campuses. Additionally, UCSD ranks 3rd among U.S. public universities, based on Forbes' 2023 America's Top Colleges list. Overall, UC San Diego secured the 21st spot out of 500 universities in USA, both public and private.
Ques: What GPA do you need to get into University of California San Diego?
Ans: The GPA required for admission to University of California San Diego is as follows
| Undergraduate | 3.4/4.0 (89%) |
| Postgraduate | 3.0/4.0 (85%) |
Ques: Is UC San Diego hard to get into?
Ans: University of California San Diego acceptance rate is 34%, indicating a moderately selective admissions policy. To get admission, students need a decent GPA and good academic records.
Ques: What is UC San Diego ranked in the world?
Ans: Some of the rankings of the University of California San Diego USA are:
- #34 in the QS Global World Ranking 2024
- #28 in National Universities by US News & World Report 2024
- #6 in Top Public Schools by US News & World Report 2024
- #182 in Best Value Schools by US News & World Report 2024
- #34 in World University Rankings in 2024 by Times Higher Education
Ques: Is the University of California San Diego expensive?
Ans: The average cost of attendance at University of California San Diego USA is around 48 lakhs. This includes a tuition fee of 15 lakhs and Supplemental tuition fee of nearly 27 lakhs for international students. The tuition fee distribution for both UG and PG programs is tabulated below:
|
Undergraduate |
Tuition and Fees: 18,480 CAD (15 lakhs INR) |
| International Supplemental Tuition: 32,574 CAD (27 lakhs INR) | |
|
Postgraduate |
Tuition and Fees: 18,951 CAD (15 lakhs INR) |
| International Supplemental Tuition: 15,102 CAD (12 lakhs INR) |
Ques: What is University of California San Diego known for?
Ans: The University of California San Diego is known for various programs, which are listed below:
- UC San Diego is widely regarded as one of the top science universities in the United States.
- Recently, US News added rankings for undergraduate economics and psychology programs. UC San Diego has earned a place among the nation's top 20 on each of these new lists, highlighting the university's excellence in education in the social sciences.
- UC San Diego's economics program is at the 4th position among US public universities and is ranked 18th nationwide.
- The psychology program at UC San Diego ranks fifth among public universities and 11th nationwide.
Ques: Is UCSD public or private?
Ans: UCSD, or the University of California San Diego, is a public research university located in La Jolla, California. It is part of the University of California system, which includes 10 campuses across the state.
Ques: What are the 7 colleges at UC San Diego?
Ans: UC San Diego comprises 7 undergraduate colleges. Each college has its own education requirements, academic support services, and housing facilities.
- Revelle College
- John Muir College
- Thurgood Marshall College
- Earl Warren College
- Eleanor Roosevelt College
- Sixth College
- Seventh College (established in 2020)
University of California Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Exams Score | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
M.S Data Science 2 years | Priority Application Deadline (15th Mar 2025) | USD 34,053 /Yr |
| |
M.S Business Analytics 1 year | Application Deadline For 2024 Intake 1 (1st Oct 2024) Application Deadline For 2024 Intake 3 (15th Nov 2024) Application Deadline For 2024 Intake 2 (15th Jan 2025) Application Deadline For 2024 Intake 4 (15th Mar 2025) | USD 34,053 /Yr |
| |
Application Deadline For 2024 Intake (20th Dec 2024) | USD 34,053 /Yr |
| ||
Application Deadline For 2024 Intake (20th Dec 2024) | USD 34,053 /Yr |
| ||
Application Deadline For 2024 Intake (6th Dec 2024) | USD 34,053 /Yr |
| ||
Ph.D Data Science 4 years | Priority Application Deadline (15th Mar 2025) | USD 34,053 /Yr |
|
What students say about University of California
Likes
- They place a lot of emphasis on the latest research papers and discoveries, and every professor is well-versed in the material.
- I think there are a lot of job opportunities for many levels, including entry-level or experienced positions, that are available to undergraduate and graduate students.
- The library, which looks like a UFO, is one of the best in the world.
- I live off-campus. The University of California, San Diego provides a free bus pass for commuters.
- Faculty student ratio for my program is 1:90. Most of the professors are experts in their respective areas and excellent at teaching, although there are some exceptions.
- Location - San Diego has the best weather.\nCourse Curriculum - Well-structured with a lot of electives.\nJob opportunities in California - a tech hub.\nRanking of universities on various websites.\nAlumni database.
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University of California comparison
| University Name | University of California | University of Washington | University of Southern California |
|---|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 7.3 Out of 10 | 7.2 Out of 10 | 5.9 Out of 10 |
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| Acceptance Rate | 34.0 % | 45.4 % | 12.0 % |
| Exam Score | |||
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| - | Read Full Comparison | Read Full Comparison |
Overall 72 out of 1503 in Global Ranking
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University of California Student Profiles
University of California Reviews
Most Popular Tags
6 Reviews Found
- Likes:
- Bright fellow students, beautiful location, great reputation. Ease of getting teaching assistantships, I got waivers/stipends of close to $15-20K because of this.
- Dislikes:
- Stressful and fast paced is an understatement. You basically have zero free time in the school year, and it feels like there’s exam after exam. Two weeks go by after the quarter starts, then you have a midterm, then another 2 weeks another midterm, and then 3 weeks and final, and repeat.
Overview:
SoP was mainly about what got me interested in the field of VLSI Design and how I took steps to develop my understanding of the subject further. The primary factors were the great reputation and moderate prestige associated with the program. Second was the location of being in California, and picturesque San Diego.
Fees:
It is $11K per quarter. Usually, students finish in 5 quarters, so my total tuition ended up being $55K before any waivers.
- Likes:
- The university is extensively known for research in Artificial Intelligence. Also for me the weather and California location was a main reason.
Overview:
I believe I had a good experience at my university. The college had great study programs and lab facilities. The other facilities including dining and sports facilities were enriching and created a wholesome experience for my stay here. Other than high living cost and tough job conditions, everything was very accessible and enjoyable. I would recommend this university for students genuinely interested in learning and growing.
Fees:
About $60000 for total program.
- Likes:
- It is one of the Top 5 public schools in the US, apart from this: 1. Strong CS research ranking 2. Ample funding opportunities 3. California, so closer to Big tech 4. Weather is friendly,
- Access to a world-class education with top-notch faculty, opportunities for interdisciplinary research, a diverse and inclusive campus community, cutting-edge facilities and resources, ample funding opportunities with teaching assistantships and other positions, and a prime location in the heart of the vibrant and innovative city of San Diego.
- Dislikes:
- Some limitations of joining UCSD include high tuition fees and living costs. The academic environment for masters may feel highly competitive and demanding. The on-campus housing options are getting more limited with a large student population coming in.,
- With larger class sizes, it may be challenging to build close personal connections with peers and professors. Some students find the campus to be too isolated from the rest of San Diego and lacking in social activities compared to other California universities (I do feel that the beaches are great though!).
Overview:
I have really enjoyed the research opportunities at UCSD along with the funding that I get thanks to it being a public school. Because of this I will be able to complete my MS in less than 4 lakh INR. The courses were also very engaging and I really appreciate the flexibility in curriculum which made this an enjoyable experience. Placement support could have been better and maybe more affordable food and housing options nearby would be welcomed.
Fees:
For one quarter (3 months), $11000 is the fees and living will be $1400 per month. Students tend to graduate in 5 quarters on average, but can be between 4-6.
Overview:
"Location - san diego has the best weather Course Curriculum - structured well with lot of electives Job opportunities in California - tech hub Ranking of universities on various websites Alumni database "
Fees:
INR 45 lakhs
Overview:
I liked the environment - both physically and academically. Research opportunities here are abundant. Faculty and staff are phenomenal and friendly, yet professional; more so, the has a good reputation in terms of STEM majors which made me choose UCSD.
Fees:
It is broken down into school tuition, housing, and then several other activity fees. Activity fees range from a few dollars to a couple hundred.
Overview:
It is a reputable STEM school that also specializes in healthcare. It also provides lots of opportunities for my academic career. It is also close to home so it would be easier for me to go home and back.
Fees:
Health insurance, Transportation fee, Maintenance fee, Recreation fee, Athletics fee, College activities fee, Student service fee, University Center fee, College fee, Campus activity fee, Registration fee, Tuition.
University of California Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student$2,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Collegedunia $150 Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student$150 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Bhajan Lal Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Generation Google Scholarship Canada & USA | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Scholarships in Georgia | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
University of California Admissions
Application Portal: https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/apply-online/index.html
Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: November30 (Application deadline)
University of California Exam Scores
| Exams | Avg. Score | Min Score | Max. Score | %Submitted' |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Proficiency | ||||
| PTE | 77.5 | 65 | 90 | - |
| IELTS | 8 | 7 | 9 | - |
| TOEFL | 92 | 64 | 120 | - |
| Graduate | ||||
| GRE | 276 | 213 | 340 | - |
| GMAT | 600 | 510 | 690 | - |
| Undergraduate | ||||
| SAT | 1310 | 1210 | 1410 | 84 |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 640 | 600 | 680 | - |
| Mathematics | 670 | 610 | 730 | - |
| ACT | 30 | 27 | 33 | 52 |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| English | 29 | 25 | 33 | - |
| Mathematics | 30 | 27 | 33 | - |
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
University of California Campuses, Schools & Faculties
School
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Rady School of Management
University of California Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2031 | - | - | - |
University of California Campus Location
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Comments
5 Comments
In order to gain admission to the University of California San Diego, you must fulfill their eligibility criteria, one of which includes having a GPA of 3.0 (85%). If you have only just passed your B.Sc in Mechanical Engineering, you may not be eligible for this university.
To apply for graduate admission at the University of California San Diego, you must have a bachelor's degree or the equivalent from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 and above on a 4.0 scale. Along with that international students whose native language is not English must submit valid ELP test scores. GRE is not mandatory for admission but students who have taken the test can submit their scores.
The University of California offers scholarships to newly admitted students. The scholarships are based on academic achievement, financial need, and being orphaned or in foster care at least three years prior to the age of 18