Quick Stats
Location: La Jolla, CA
Closest Big City/Airport: San Diego, CA
School Size: 31,331
Athletic Division: NCAA DI
Athletic Conference: BWC (Big West Conference)
Tuition & Fees : In: $14,773 // Out: $44,487
Total Cost of Attendance: In: $34,180 // Out: $63,934
Average Cost After Aid: $15,222
Percent of Financial Aid Need Met: 83%
Average High School GPA: 4.14
Average SAT/ACT Combined: Test Scores are not Considered
Acceptance Rate: 34%
Popular Degrees: Biology, Computer Science, International Studies
Personal Tour Blog
Despite the name, UC San Diego is actually located in La Jolla, California. For those who don’t live there, it would seem no distinction is needed given the close proximity, but La Jolla sets itself apart with absolutely beautiful scenery. There’s a reason that Torrey Pines Golf Course is located in La Jolla, google that name if you haven’t seen it before.
UC San Diego sits on the south side of the historic golf course and houses just under 40,000 students. Part of the renowned California school system, UC San Diego is one of the more selective options.
Walking through the campus feels a bit like walking through a travel magazine. While the school itself is tucked away in the neighborhood of La Jolla, San Diego is just down the road, providing both small and big town options to the student body. A car would be preferable to have if you plan to commute into the big city, but would not be necessary for your college experience.
Many students elect to live on campus during their full time at UCSD given the housing market in La Jolla, which does tend to create a more involved feeling on campus. That is noticed during athletic events, where the Tritons have just recently made the jump to Division I sports. The school supports one of the larger ranges of varsity teams, including fencing and water polo.
Academically, UC San Diego is one of the best research facilities in the country.
They offer a wide variety of degree plans, but biology and computer science tend to be the most popular at this time. Given the proximity to nature (and an aquarium on campus), UCSD provides a ton of hands-on opportunities for biology majors.
Computer science majors, on the other hand, have close access or connections to many silicon valley opportunities, and the school itself has started to see a rise in tech hirings. They even have a program called "The Basement" designed to help entrepreneurs get started on their business ideas.
UC San Diego is one of those schools I wish I would have visited when I was in college. I can’t promise my high school grades would have been strong enough for admission, but seeing a school like this does showcase the potential environment one can choose to live in during their college career.
Fun Facts
- UC San Diego has been voted the top surfing college in the nation
- For the fifth consecutive year, UC San Diego has been ranked first in the nation based on research, civic engagement, and social mobility
Athlete Fun Fact
UC San Diego has not been an NCAA Divison I school for long, joining the Big West conference in 2020
Sports Offered
Men
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Fencing
- Golf
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
Women
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Fencing
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming & Diving
- Tennis
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
