Academic Comparison between UCI and UCSD

University of California-Irvine and University of California-San Diego are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, public and located in California

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Both schools are four-year, public schools.
  • UCSD has more expensive tuition & fees ($47,676) than UCI ($46,640).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than UCI.
  • UCSD has more students with 44,256 students while UCI has 37,297 students.
  • UCSD has more full-time faculties with 3,101 faculties while UCI has 2,283 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Irvinevs.University of California-San Diego
Irvine, CaliforniaLocationLa Jolla, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$14,752
Out-Of-State$46,640
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
62%% Receiving Financial Aid59%
$21,866Average Amount of Financial Aid$23,806
28.57 %Acceptance Rates26.71 %
19.22 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)20.41 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
87 %Graduation Rate86 %
5 %Transfer-out Rate4 %
94 %Retention Rate94 %
37,297Student Population44,256
2,283Number of Faculties3,101
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare