University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, California
Public
Recent News
Admissions Policies
Deposit & decision deadline (class of 2024)
May 1
Test-optional admissions ('20-'21)
Yes
Paying for University of California-San Diego
Prospective University of California San Diego students can apply for financial need-based aid by submitting a FAFSA or California Dream Application. There are many opportunities for students to receive need-based aid. In addition to the The Chancellor's Scholarship that is based on academic achievement and financial need, students may also be eligible for freshman restricted scholarships that are purely need-based scholarships. The Hope Scholars Program is available for students who were once foster youth. There are also additional opportunities for students to apply for outside agency scholarships.
Grants are another financial aid award opportunity at UCSD. Potential federal grants include FSEOG and Pell grants. State grants include the CAL Grant A or CAL Grant B and university grants including the Blue and Gold Opportunity Grant, the Opportunity Grant (OG) and Grant-in-Aid (GIA) grants are available for students to help supplement the cost of their education.
Loans are an additional potential option to help pay for UCSD. In addition to private loan options, there are federal student loans and California Dream loans available to students and parents based on eligibility. Students may also be able to access short-term emergency loans. These are special loans that are available to eligible students ranging in amount from $500-$1,000 and can be borrowed once per quarter. They can help in between award disbursement for books and supplies. Some students may be eligible for Federal Work Study (FWS) awards. Students receiving this award can choose a work assignment to help supplement the cost of school and ideally decrease their loan debt.
There are other funding and tuition assistance opportunities available to UCSD students. For example, students who are military-affiliated or veterans can find out more information about potential funding opportunities, including military tuition assistance and ROTC funding.
California vocational rehabilitation funding may be available to eligible students along with tuition benefit plans and options through student’s employer. Options for summer session aid and for students who want to study abroad are available to students.
The UCSD Financial Aid Office provides helpful websites and resources to navigate the financial aid process, including a Paying for UC Page. This page includes several helpful topics, articles, and calculators related to paying for UC such as the financial aid estimator, frequently asked questions for financial aid and scholarships page, and links to helpful financial aid terms.
UCSD provides access to a comprehensive Financial Literacy Page with links to a wide array of helpful financial resources, webpages, and learning opportunities. There is a list of helpful financial assistance apps for phones and tablets, links to articles and information about smart borrowing, tips and interactive tools, and also a list of local resources to help students in a financial bind (such as local food pantries). Another great resource on this page links to the San Diego Financial Literacy Center which is a non-profit organization for residents of San Diego County.
University of California-San Diego Cost Breakdown
The total cost of attendance includes tuition and fees, books and supplies, and living expenses, as reported for the 2019-2020 school year.
Tuition and fees (in-state)
$14,415
Tuition and fees (out-of-state)
$44,169
Room and board
$14,271
Books and supplies
$1,128
Other
$4,035
University of California-San Diego Financial Aid
The average student pays this amount per year.
Percentage of freshman students who receive some form of financial aid.
This school's financial aid meets 85 % of student's demonstrated need.
University of California-San Diego Merit Scholarships
The average University of California-San Diego merit scholarship for students without financial need
of University of California-San Diego students without financial need receive a merit scholarship
University of California San Diego offers a variety of merit scholarships which are available to academically qualified incoming freshman. In order to be considered for these academic scholarships, students must submit an application for admission by the November 30th deadline.
Regents Scholarships are one possible merit-based scholarship for entering freshman or transfer students demonstrating academic excellence. The Ellen and Roger Revelle Scholarship is another purely academic-based scholarship available. These scholarships are awarded for four years and renewable. Some recipients will receive faculty mentorship and other benefits.
University of California-San Diego Average Cost
Very few students pay the full price. Here's the average cost for students in different income brackets:
University of California-San Diego Financial Health
Resources
Endowment (2019)
$792,363,825
Endowment per enrolled student (FTE)
$21,366
State financial support per student
$8,553
This is higher than the national average ( $7,523).
University of California-San Diego Online Education
Share of Students Studying Online (Graduate and Undergraduate)
Equity
Likelihood that a student moved up two or more income quintiles.
Percent of first-time students receiving Pell Grants.
This is higher than the national average 31.0%
Relative to the market of potential students
Underrepresented
White
Hispanic
Black
Representative
Multi-racial
Hawaiian
Native American
Overrepresented
Asian
University of California-San Diego Student Loans
The average student takes out this amount in student loans.
The percentage of students that repay their loans within 5 years.
The percentage of students that repay their loans within 7 years.
The percentage of families that default on their loans after 3 years.
University of California-San Diego After College Salaries
After graduation, here's how the average salary of a University of California-San Diego graduate grows over time:
University of California-San Diego Admissions
SAT range:
1250 - 1490
ACT range:
26 - 34
Application fee:
$70
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About Our Data
The data and analysis above is sourced from the following reliable third party sources:
- - US Department of Education
- - ACCEPT: Admissions Community Cultivating Equity & Peace Today (deposit deadlines)
- - FairTest (testing policies)
- - National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO) (endowment data)
- - National Center for Education Statistics
- - Opportunity Insights at Harvard University (mobility rates)
- - Peterson's
- - Public college-maintained websites
- - State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO) (state funding data)
- - Urban Institute (racial representation data)
For more information, visit our Data page.
Our Financial Health information is designed to provide you with financial data on the private colleges you are considering. Our Post-Covid Resiliency Ratings are based on a data model described in more detail here as well as information from the independent third party sources we list above. Keep in mind, there may be additional public or private data which may make a college or university more or less financially resilient. We recommend that you request the most current financial information from the college or university you are considering so that you will have the most complete and current information available while evaluating the financial health of the institution and to inform your decision making process. All information and data we provide on this site is for informational purposes only and is not an endorsement, guarantee or other recommendation, whether favorable or unfavorable, regarding a particular institution. We make no representation or warranty regarding the information, all of which is provided free of charge and for informational purposes only.