Academic Comparison between UCSD and UCLA

University of California-San Diego and University of California-Los Angeles 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 UCLA ($46,121).
  • It is harder to admit to UCLA than UCSD.
  • UCLA has more students with 47,335 students while UCSD has 44,256 students.
  • UCSD has a lower number of students per faculty with 19 to 1 while UCLA's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • UCLA has more full-time faculties with 4,491 faculties while UCSD has 3,101 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-San Diegovs.University of California-Los Angeles
La Jolla, CaliforniaLocationLos Angeles, 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$15,788
Out-Of-State$47,676
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,233
Out-Of-State$46,121
59%% Receiving Financial Aid55%
$23,806Average Amount of Financial Aid$23,418
26.71 %Acceptance Rates8.97 %
20.41 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)50.40 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate93 %
4 %Transfer-out Rate3 %
94 %Retention Rate97 %
44,256Student Population47,335
3,101Number of Faculties4,491
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare