Applicants, Acceptance Rate, Yield Trends at UCSD

72.24%

Applicants - since 2015

-7.02%

Acceptance Rate

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.

Key Takeaways: UCSD Admission Metrics

Acceptance Rate Overview

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.

Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns

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.

Application Volume & Admission Trends

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.

Acceptance Rate Changes

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).

YearTotalMenWomen
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%
University of California-San Diego Acceptance Rate Trends Over Time - Historical Admission Rate Data Visualization Chart

Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes

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.

YearTotalMenWomen
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%
University of California-San Diego enrollment rate trends chart showing historical yield changes from 2015 to 2025

Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes

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.

YearApplicantsAdmittedEnrolled
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
University of California-San Diego - 10 Year Applicants, Admissions, and Enrollment Trends Chart

Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares University of California-San Diego' acceptance rate to similar schools.

20242025Change %
University of California-San Diego24.52%26.71%8.93%
University of California-Los Angeles8.97%8.73%2.75%
University of California-Berkeley10.98%11.66%-5.83%
California State University-Fullerton90.52%86.74%4.36%
California State University-Long Beach46.27%47.12%-1.80%
San Diego State University36.19%34.44%5.08%

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