University of California - San Diego (UCSD) is a top-ranking academic and research institution in the University of California system. It is situated along the Pacific Ocean on a campus of coastal woodlands. UCSD offers hundreds of academic degrees at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. It also offers many professional degrees. Its academics cover a wide range of disciplines including science, technology, social sciences, medicine, business and the humanities.
The school offers a diverse selection of interdisciplinary programs with many majors and minors in innovative areas. UCSD has an award-winning faculty, all of whom are experts in their fields, at the cutting edge of science, medicine and technology. The UCSD faculty boasts many Nobel Prize winners, two Pulitzer Prize winners, a Tony Award, and an Academy Award, among others.
The Chancellor of UCSD has been leading a "Leadership Team" for several years with a goal of influencing the local, national and global communities for the university.
UCSD has a strong Extension and Lifelong Learning program, offering more than 130 academic programs, professional education and public service courses to the San Diego community.
History
UCSD was founded in the 1960s as a research institution, which evolved out of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, founded in 1903. UCSD grew over the next three decades into a more comprehensive academic institution, in addition to being the nation's first oceanographic institution. From the beginning, its faculty has included top experts in science and research, including the areas of physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and climate.
Academics
The academic calendar for the University of California at San Diego follows the quarter system, with fall, winter and spring quarters running from 55-60 days each.
Colleges and Schools
UCSD has six undergraduate colleges, five academic divisions, five graduate and professional schools.
Divisions and Schools:
- Arts & Humanities
- Biological Sciences
- Jacobs School of Engineering
- Physical Sciences
- Rady School of Management
- School of International Relations and Pacific Studies
- School of Medicine
- Scripps Inst. of Oceanography
- Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences
- Social Sciences
Undergraduate Colleges:
- Marshall
- Muir
- Revelle
- Roosevelt
- Sixth
- Warren
Student Life
The UCSD campus is located near the Pacific Ocean, and is not far from the Mexico border. There are many places to explore in the area, and the weather contributes to rich opportunities for outdoor activities. UCSD has a page on its website called "Campus Fun 101," which links students to a host of activities and opportunities for engagement. There are more than 400 student clubs, organizations, societies, adventure excursions, group activities, sporting events, theatre performances, art tours, aquarium visits, and more.
UCSC students will also find opportunities to study abroad, engage in career preparation programs, and participate in leadership training, among others. There are also many student services available including wellness facilities, a cross-cultural center, and more.
Campus housing and dining are available, and there are excellent fitness facilities and swimming pools.
Traditions
The UCSD school colors are blue and gold. Each college at UCSD hosts many traditional events each year that are open to all students on campus. One of these traditional events is "Warren Live," a music concert from Warren College held in the spring that features headline musical groups.
Athletics
The UCSD "Tritons" athletics teams participate in many intercollegiate sports, including:
Men's Sports:
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross Country
- Fencing
- Golf
- Soccer
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Crew
- Cross Country
- Fencing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
Community Life
UCSD offers many opportunities for volunteerism in the San Diego community and involvement in local non-profit organizations. Its Center for Student Involvement provides information about how to get involved in programs focused on environment, youth, hunger, and more.
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may provide a better idea of the students University of California – San Diego accepts. The details may include application requirements and recommendations, as well as any AP or college credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- AP Course Credits
Student Enrollment
The total student enrollment at University of California – San Diego is about 33,000, with undergraduate students making up about 81% of the total student population and graduate students making up the rest.
Estimated Costs & Financial Aid
The average "out of pocket" cost of attendance, after any grants and scholarships are considered, is around $14,900. To calculate a more personalized cost visit the net price calculator. There is also a $70 application fee for students applying to the school. The figures listed below are for informational purposes only and do not represent current or future tuition, fees, and expenses.
Tuition & Fees Information
- Annual tuition range estimates:
- State Residents: $11,000-$13,000
- Out-of-State: $36,000-$43,110
- The estimated cost for on campus dorms & meals is around $14,000
Financial Aid Details
The table listed below helps break down the types of financial aid students receive and the percent receiving aid, as well as the average amount of aid per student per year.
| Percent of Students | Average Amount | |
|---|---|---|
| Any Financial Aid | 64% | - |
| Receiving Grants & Scholarships | 58% | $16,937 |
| Receiving Student Loans | 38% | $5,404 |
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To help students and alumni, University of California – San Diego may provide services like those listed below:- Academic counseling for students
- Student employment
- Employment search assistance
- Child care
Graduation Rates
UCSD has a very high graduation rate when compared to similar schools nearby.
| Number of Year to Graduate | Percent of Entering Class |
|---|---|
| Students Graduating in 4 Years | 56% |
| Graduating in 5 Years | 25% |
| Graduating in 6 Years | 5% |
Specialized Programs & Accreditations
- Clinical Audiology (Au.D.) Program
- English Language Program
- Medical (M.D.) Program
- Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) Program
Intercollegiate Athletics
UCSD is a Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), with many of the sports being in the NCAA Division II (without football) classification. The most popular sports played are listed below:
- Baseball (Division Ii Independents)
- Basketball (Division Ii Independents)
- Track and Field (Division Ii Independents)
- Fencing
- Golf
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
Programs Offered
The program list below is organized by areas of study. The programs that have a link will direct you to the program's profile page where you can learn more about education requirements and career pathways.
Get more information about the programs offered by University of California – San Diego by clicking the request information to the right.
(C) Certificate or Award | (A) Associate's | (B) Bachelor's | (M) Master's Degree | (D) Doctorate (PhD,...)
Biological and Biomedical Sciences
- Biology (B, D, M)
- Anatomy (B)
- Biochemistry (B)
- Neurobiology and Anatomy (B)
- Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology (B)
- Marine Biology (B, D, M)
- Bioinformatics (B, D, M)
- Biomedical Science (D, M)
- Microbiology (B)
- Molecular Biology (B)
- Animal Physiology (B)
- Biophysics (B, D)
- Epidemiology (D)
- Neuroscience (D, M)
- Pathology, Experimental Pathology
Business and Marketing Studies
- Management Science (B)
- Business Administration (D, M)
Communications and Journalism
- Communication, General (B, D, M)
Computer and Information Sciences
- Computer Science (B, D, M)
Education
- Education (D, M)
- Mathematics Teacher Education (B)
Engineering
- Structural Engineering (B, D, M)
- Chemical Engineering (B, M)
- Electrical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Biomedical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Mechanical Engineering (B, D, M)
- Computer Engineering (B, D, M)
- Environmental and Environmental Health Engineering (B)
- Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (B, M)
- Computer Hardware Engineering (M)
- Materials Engineering (D, M)
- Engineering Science (B, D)
- Systems Engineering (D, M)
- Engineering Physics (B, D, M)
English Language and Literature
- English Language and Literature, Letters (B, D, M)
- English (B)
Ethnic Cultural and Gender Studies
- Ethnic and Cultural Minority Studies (B, D, M)
- Latin American Studies (B, M)
- Chinese Studies (B)
- Japanese Studies (B)
- Russian Studies (B)
- German Studies
- Italian Studies
- Area Studies
Family and Consumer Sciences
- Family Studies (B)
Foreign Languages and Literature
- Linguistics (B, D, M)
- Spanish Language and Literature (B)
- Classical Languages, Literatures and Linguistics (B)
- French Language and Literature
- Italian Language and Literature
Health and Clinical Professions
- Medicine (D)
- Pharmacy (D)
- Medical Scientist (M)
- Public Health (B, D)
- Healthcare Administration (M)
- Audiology, Hearing Sciences (D)
- International Public Health, International Health (D)
History
- History (B, D, M)
Interdisciplinary Studies
- Cognitive Science (B, D, M)
- International and Global Studies (B)
- Mathematics and Computer Science (B)
- Computational Science (M)
Legal Professions and Studies
- Health Law (M)
Mathematics and Statistics
- Math (B, D, M)
- Applied Mathematics (B, M)
- Statistics (B, M)
- Computational Mathematics (D)
Natural Resources and Conservation
- Environmental Studies (B)
Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Philosophy (B, D)
- Religious Studies (B)
- Jewish and Judaic Studies (B)
Physical Sciences
- Chemistry (B, D, M)
- Physics (B, D, M)
- Geology (B, D, M)
- Oceanography, Chemical and Physical (D, M)
- Chemical Physics (B)
- Geochemistry
- Geophysics and Seismology
Psychology
- Psychology (B, D, M)
- Clinical Psychology (D)
Social Sciences
- Economics (B, D, M)
- International Relations (M)
- Political Science (B, D, M)
- Political Science and Government (B)
- Sociology (B, D, M)
- Anthropology (B, D, M)
- Urban Studies (B)
- United States Government and Politics (B)
Visual and Performing Arts
- Visual and Performing Arts (B, M)
- Drama and Theatre Arts (B, D)
- Fine Arts and Studio Arts (B)
- Music (B, D, M)
- Art History (B, D, M)
- Acting (M)
- Theatre Design and Technology (M)
- Dance (B)
- Directing and Theatrical Production (M)
- Music Performance (D)
- Theatre Arts and Stagecraft (M)
- Playwriting and Screenwriting (M)
Other 4-Year Public Colleges
The list of schools below have been selected by researching which schools offer similar programs to University of California – San Diego.
- San Diego State University in San Diego, CA (12 miles away)
- California State University - San Marcos in San Marcos, CA (18 miles away)
- University of California - Irvine in Irvine, CA (64 miles away)
- Saginaw Valley State University in University Center, MI (65 miles away)
- University of California - Riverside in Riverside, CA (76 miles away)
Also, you can compare schools by looking through our list of colleges & universities:
- Review a complete list of all the California colleges
- Get a list of all state universities in California
