Academic Comparison between UCSD and LCAD

University of California-San Diego and Laguna College of Art and Design are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UCSD is a four-year, public school located in La Jolla, CA and LCAD is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Laguna Beach, CA.

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.

  • UCSD is a public and LCAD is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • UCSD has more expensive tuition & fees ($47,676) than LCAD ($37,500).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than LCAD.
  • UCSD has more students with 44,256 students while LCAD has 775 students.
  • LCAD has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UCSD has more full-time faculties with 3,101 faculties while LCAD has 24 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
UCSD LCAD
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-San Diegovs.Laguna College of Art and Design
La Jolla, CaliforniaLocationLaguna Beach, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationSchool of art, music, and design
In-State$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
2025 Tuition & Fees$37,500
59%% Receiving Financial Aid100%
$23,806Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,292
26.71 %Acceptance Rates94.32 %
20.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)23.09 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate52 %
4 %Transfer-out Rate-
94 %Retention Rate84 %
44,256Student Population775
3,101Number of Faculties24
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services