The average acceptance rate at UCSD over the past 10 years is 31.05%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 26.71%. Compared to the previous year, it became slightly easier to gain admission to UCSD in 2025.
The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 20.02%, and the 2025 yield is 20.41%. Overall, the yield has increased by 1.56% from 2015 to 2025.
The number of UCSD applicants increased by 2.81% (3,679 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 72.24% overall.
The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 26.71%, representing an increasingly selective admissions process. This indicates that UCSD has become more competitive over the past decade, as the institution receives a growing number of applications while maintaining or reducing the number of admitted students.
The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 20.41%. This stable yield rate reflects consistent conversion of admissions offers into actual enrollments at UCSD. The stability indicates predictable enrollment outcomes and sustainable admission practices.
For the 2025 admission cycle, UCSD received approximately 134,450 applications, admitted 35,917 students, and enrolled 7,330 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that UCSD is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.
UCSD 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at UCSD over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 31.05%, while the most recent rate stands at 26.71%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.
For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 26.71%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 29.73% and for women is 32.23%.
The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at UCSD have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 33.74% | 34.12% | 33.40% |
| 2016-17 | 35.66% 1.92% |
34.84% 0.73% |
36.38% 2.98% |
| 2017-18 | 33.99% -1.67% |
33.37% -1.48% |
34.52% -1.86% |
| 2018-19 | 30.06% -3.93% |
29.85% -3.52% |
30.24% -4.28% |
| 2019-20 | 31.48% 1.42% |
31.60% 1.75% |
31.38% 1.13% |
| 2020-21 | 36.61% 5.13% |
36.18% 4.57% |
36.98% 5.61% |
| 2021-22 | 34.00% -2.61% |
32.00% -4.18% |
36.00% -0.98% |
| 2022-23 | 23.71% -10.29% |
21.10% -10.90% |
25.99% -10.01% |
| 2023-24 | 24.52% 0.81% |
20.86% -0.24% |
27.77% 1.77% |
| 2024-25 | 26.71% 2.20% |
23.38% 2.52% |
29.69% 1.92% |
| Average | 31.05% | 29.73% | 32.23% |
UCSD has demonstrated an improvement in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has increased from 20.09% in 2015 to 20.41% in 2025, representing a 1.56% increase. The 10-year average yield stands at 20.02%, reflecting strengthening enrollment performance.
The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at UCSD from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has increased by 1.56% over this period.
| Year | Total | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 20.09% | 21.57% | 18.75% |
| 2016-17 | 19.14% -0.95% |
19.56% -2.00% |
18.79% 0.04% |
| 2017-18 | 18.96% -0.18% |
20.04% 0.48% |
18.06% -0.72% |
| 2018-19 | 22.79% 3.83% |
24.24% 4.20% |
21.59% 3.53% |
| 2019-20 | 19.28% -3.51% |
21.03% -3.21% |
17.79% -3.80% |
| 2020-21 | 17.60% -1.68% |
18.53% -2.50% |
16.82% -0.97% |
| 2021-22 | 19.00% 1.40% |
19.00% 0.47% |
19.00% 2.18% |
| 2022-23 | 21.05% 2.05% |
21.55% 2.56% |
20.69% 1.69% |
| 2023-24 | 21.85% 0.80% |
22.91% 1.36% |
21.14% 0.45% |
| 2024-25 | 20.41% -1.44% |
21.30% -1.61% |
19.78% -1.36% |
| Average | 20.02% | 20.97% | 19.24% |
Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 106,259, the average number of admitted is 32,302, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 6,444.
The number of UCSD applicants increased by 2.81% (3,679 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 72.24% overall.
The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at University of California-San Diego from 2015 to 2025.
| Year | Applicants | Admitted | Enrolled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 78,061 | 26,335 | 5,292 |
| 2016-17 | 84,208 7.87% |
30,028 14.02% |
5,748 8.62% |
| 2017-18 | 88,446 5.03% |
30,061 0.11% |
5,699 -0.85% |
| 2018-19 | 97,894 10.68% |
29,428 -2.11% |
6,707 17.69% |
| 2019-20 | 99,114 1.25% |
31,200 6.02% |
6,015 -10.32% |
| 2020-21 | 100,062 0.96% |
36,634 17.42% |
6,447 7.18% |
| 2021-22 | 118,386 18.31% |
40,251 9.87% |
7,648 18.63% |
| 2022-23 | 131,197 10.82% |
31,103 -22.73% |
6,546 -14.41% |
| 2023-24 | 130,771 -0.32% |
32,062 3.08% |
7,005 7.01% |
| 2024-25 | 134,450 2.81% |
35,917 12.02% |
7,330 4.64% |
| Average | 106,259 | 32,302 | 6,444 |
The following table compares University of California-San Diego' acceptance rate to similar schools.
| 2024 | 2025 | Change % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-San Diego | 24.52% | 26.71% | 8.93% |
| University of California-Los Angeles | 8.97% | 8.73% | 2.75% |
| University of California-Berkeley | 10.98% | 11.66% | -5.83% |
| California State University-Fullerton | 90.52% | 86.74% | 4.36% |
| California State University-Long Beach | 46.27% | 47.12% | -1.80% |
| San Diego State University | 36.19% | 34.44% | 5.08% |
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