About

Public

University Type

268

QS Global Rank

$61,230

Average Living Expenses

The University of California, San Diego, was founded in 1960 and is considered one of the best in the world by major college and university rankings. It is a public land-grant research university that is located on the University of California's ten southernmost campuses. UC San Diego offers over 200 graduate and undergraduate degree programs, and more than 33,000 undergraduate and more than 9000 graduate students have been enrolled. It is considered the second-most applied-to institution in the US, with 12 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools and seven undergraduate residential colleges receiving over 140,000 applications for undergraduate admissions in the fall of 2021.

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

The UC san diego Acceptance rate is 14.3% only.

Top Reasons to Study in the University of California, San Diego

Some of the reasons why people tend to choose the University of California are- 

  • The University of California, San Diego Campus structure of the university or equipped with solar panels and dozens of buildings are leed certified.
  • More than 20 programs at UC San Diego rank in the top 25 University Nations and has very prominent faculty and top-ranked programs. 
  • The Geisel library is considered the world's largest repository of the original work of theatre Geisel.
  • UC San Diego values diversity and welcomes graduate students from all over the world.
  • There are a total of 8641 graduate and professional students, 3648 doctoral students, 3144 master's students, 907 clinical residents, and 796 MD and pharmacy students.
  • The University of California’s fee structure is $22,000.

Cost of Studying at University of California, San Diego

Average tuition fee

Moderate

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5000+ Students

Availed education loan

3000+ Cr

Loan amount sanctioned

100% Free

Assistance for loan process


Living expenses

Average living expenses (Bachelors)

$72,165

Average living expenses (Masters)

$61,230

Average on-campus living expenses

$19,491

Average off-campus living expenses

$18,375

Admissions at The University of California, San Diego

Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)

34%

Application Fee

$80 - $200


How to Apply at University of California, San Diego

Applicants need to submit some specific documents during the application process. These documents are listed below -

  • Scan and upload copies of transcripts for all institutions attended after High School graduation. Both the front and back sides of the transcript should be available even if it is blank.
  • The transcript should have the reason details of the applicant such as name, institution name, date of attendance, grades received, credits, and degree if applicable.
  • Statement of purpose.
  • Examination requirements.
  • Visa information.
  • Application fee: An University of California’s application fee of 140 dollars is needed.
  • Letters of recommendation.

Documents Required to Apply to University of California, San Diego

Applicants need to submit some specific documents during the application process. These documents are listed below -

  • Scan and upload copies of transcripts for all institutions attended after High School graduation. Both the front and back sides of the transcript should be available even if it is blank.
  • The transcript should have the reason details of the applicant such as name, institution name, date of attendance, grades received, credits, and degree if applicable.
  • Statement of purpose.
  • Examination requirements.
  • Visa information.
  • Application fee: An University of California’s application fee of 140 dollars is needed.
  • Letters of recommendation.

Exams Accepted By University of California, San Diego

The University of California welcomes applicants from all over the world and the minimum requirement to get admitted includes qualifying in some specific standard exams.The required exams are as follows:

GPA (Grade Point Average)

International students must earn a GPA of 3.4 better with no grade lower than c

English Proficiency tests

TOEFL - a minimum score of 83 is required

IELTS - a minimum score of 7 is required.

AP/IB Exams

AP Exam - a minimum score of 3,4,5 in English language/literature and composition

IB Exam - a minimum of English (Lang. A) higher level: 5,6,7 And 

English (Lang. A) standard level: 6,7 


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Rankings for The University of California, San Diego

US News Ranking

#33

US World and News Report

The World University Rankings

#92

The World University Rankings

QS World University Rankings

#268

QS World University Rankings


More rankings for this university

Founded in 1960, the University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) is a public research university, located in La Jolla, California. UC San Diego has six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions, and four graduate and professional schools. It offers multiple academic programs, including 300+ undergraduate and graduate majors and minors, such as 

The University of California, San Diego's US News & World Report's ranking category improved, rising to #20 in 2023, which was formerly #21 in 2022. However, the university’s QS World University Ranking has steadily declined. It was placed #48 in 2022, and #62 in 2024. The rank of the University of California, San Diego is #32, per Times Higher Education 2023. 

Enlisted below are the global rankings for the University of California, San Diego from 2022-24:-

Ranked By

2022

2023

2024

US News & World Report - Global Universities

21

20

NA

THE (Times Higher Education) - University Ranking

34

32

NA

QS - World University Ranking

48

53

62

The University of California, San Diego Course Rankings 2024

Worldwide popularity is attributed to the University of California - San Diego courses. MIM has a subject ranking of #32 in the QS Masters in Business Analytics Rankings 2023, a drop from #26 in 2022.  Additionally, QS has ranked UC San Diego for MBA and MIM under Global MBA and Accounting & Finance, respectively, for 2023. These subjects were ranked 151-200 and 101-150, respectively.

University of California, San Diego Course Rankings by QS 2022-24

Course

2022

2023

2024

Biological Sciences

9

12

NA

Pharmacy and Pharmacology

10

13

NA

Physics and Astronomy

14

14

NA

MS Business Analytics

26

32

NA

Medicine

22

20

NA

Politics and International Studies

23

22

NA

Global MBA

151-200

151-200

NA

Accounting and Finance

101-150

101-150

NA

Mathematics

44

51-100

NA

Engineering and Technology  

61

45

NA

Performing Arts

51-100

51-100

NA

Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering

51-100

51-100

NA

Sociology

51-100

101-150

NA

University of California, San Diego Course Ranking by U.S. News and World Report 2022-24

Course

2022

2023

2024

UG Electrical, Electronic & Communications Engg.

14

15

NA

Electrical Engineering PG

16

14

NA

Mechanical Engineering PG

17

23

NA

Computer Engineering PG

14

13

NA

Aerospace Engineering PG

17

17

NA

UG Mechanical Engineering

21

33

NA

Best Graduate Medical School

28

32

NA

Chemical Engineering MS

46

48

NA

Entrepreneurship MBA

30

34

NA

Graduate Business School

87

94

NA

UG Business

49

51

NA

University of California, San Diego Course Rankings by Times Higher Education 2022-24

Course

2022

2023

2024

Life Sciences

17

15

NA

Psychology

32

33

NA

Engineering

31

37

NA

MS Computer Science

33

33

NA

Arts and Humanities

69

69

NA

Clinical and Health

31

29

NA

Looks great, doesn’t it? The University of California, San Diego is one of the most highly regarded universities, as displayed by its rankings. UC San Diego’s courses in business analytics, engineering, accounting and finance, medicine, and humanities are the most sought-after by students. Book a consultation call with our Yocket experts today, and discover your chances of getting into UC San Diego! 

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the University of California, San Diego's global ranking?

Ans. The University of California, San Diego's US News & World Report's ranking category improved, going from #21 in 2021 to #20 in 2023. UC San Diego was placed #48 in 2022, and #62 in 2024 in QS World University Ranking, showcasing a steady decline. The rank of the UC San Diego is #32, per Times Higher Education 2023. 

2. What are the top programs at the University of California - San Diego Campus?

Ans. Some of the top University of California, San Diego courses are Global MBA, MS, and Accounting & Finance. As per QS World University Rankings 2023, MIM in Business Analytics is ranked #32; Global MBA is ranked #101-150; and MS Accounting and Finance is ranked #45.

3. What are the national rankings of the University of California - San Diego Campus?

Ans. UC San Diego is among the finest institutions of higher education in the USA. The university is ranked #34 by US News & World Report - National University Rankings 2023, similar to its ranking in 2022. 

Students University of California, San Diego

2,760

Yocketers applied

751

Yocketers admitted

15,045

Yocketers interested


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Alumni at University of California, San Diego

Some of the University of California, San Diego notable alumni of the University of California San Diego include Micha Cárdenas, MFA (Visual Arts), 2009. Contemporary artist, Moyra Davey, MFA (Photography), 1988. Contemporary artist, Geoff Abrams, MD (Medicine), 2006. Tennis player, Mincludeark Allen, BS (Biology), 1980, Six-time Ironman Triathlon World Champion, Garrett Gruener, BS (Political Science), Gary E. Jacobs, BA (Management Science), 1979, Businessman and minority owner of the Sacramento Kings.

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Campus life

Number of campuses the university has
1

Campus locations
California

View on Google Earth


Transportation in the city

The San Diego Airport (SAN) is about three miles away from the University of San Diego. The quickest route to get from the airport to the university is today a 16min taxi ride, which costs around $50 to $60 (3972.90 INR to 4767.57 INR). Students can also take bus shuttles or town car rides to the university or can even walk on foot. Buses take about 25 minutes and cost around 95 INR to 597 INR. A 9-minute shuttle ride will cost around 1702 INR to 2400 INR, whereas, a 9-minute town car ride will cost around 4200 to 6000 INR. Walking time is estimated at around 1 hour 46 minutes. Other nearby airports include Tijuana (19.9 miles), Santa Ana (74.3 miles), and Indio/Palm Springs (83.1 miles).


Services offered by the university

Some of the major services provided are as follows -

  • University of California’s Campus Assault Resources and Information (C.A.R.E.) is a program run by the university that offers support and education to the student community about sexual assault and sexual exploitation.
  • Facilities and opportunities for fitness are provided by the campus recreation department.
  • The USD community is served through the Centre for Health and Wellness Promotion (CHWP) through programs that are campus-wide, individual, and group services and research opportunities to improve student wellness.
  • The counseling center is responsible for improving students' psychological and physical health.
  • Participants can learn more about themselves and their interactions with others through group counseling. 
  • The LGBTQ+ community provides venues for queers and trans individuals and educates the college about inclusive tactics.
  • The University of California, San Diego Cost of living is around $15,000.

Student life at University of California, San Diego

The main campus consists of 761 buildings and occupies around 1152 acres, with natural reserves occupying about 899 acres. The University of San Diego begins the autumn semester with a welcome week to introduce new students. They welcome by starting with All Campus Dance and introducing students to campus clubs and activities. The student body government holds a wide variety of events and concerts throughout the year. One of the largest and most significant events of the year is the “Sun God”, a festival that has almost 20,000 people and celebrities attending annually. 

  • Art facilities: A wide collection of art projects decorates the campus. The most famous of these is the “Sun god”.
  • Academic facilities: New buildings are added as the engineering departments expand. The Geisel library is accessible to all students exposing them to a variety of books.
  • Athletic facilities: The university is home to many sports such as Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Fencing, Golf, Soccer, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Volleyball, Water polo, etc.

On campus accomodation at University of California, San Diego

Only the months of July and August offer the option of on-campus living. International students will not be able to live on campus in 2022 because of COVID-19, and staff availability in 2023 has not yet been confirmed.

International students are offered two types of housing-

  • Near Campus Apartments by Anatolia -

The apartments provided by Anatolia are conveniently uc san diego Address is located close to UC San Diego, shopping, and transportation options. They are completely furnished and well-equipped with everything you need.

Price range- 

4 weeks- 

2022 Shared bedroom: $1,100 (87,440.54 INR)

2022 Private bedroom: $1,975 (156,995.52 INR) 

9 weeks-

2022 Shared bedroom: $2,465  ( 195,946.30 INR)

2022 Private bedroom: $4,438  ( 352,782.83 INR)

11 weeks-

2022 Shared bedroom: $3,010  ( 239,269.11 INR)

2022 Private bedroom: $5,410  ( 430,048.47 INR)

26 weeks-

2022 Shared bedroom: $7,085  ( 5,63,196.57 INR)

2022 Private bedroom: $12,750  ( 1,013,515.35 INR)

  • Off-campus hotels: Residence Inn by Marriott La Jolla

The studio may accommodate up to three guests without incurring additional University of California, San Diego Fees.

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