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 ($46,042) than UCI ($45,014).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSD than UCI.
  • UCSD has more students with 42,006 students while UCI has 35,937 students.
  • UCI has a lower number of students per faculty with 18 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UCSD has more full-time faculties with 2,799 faculties while UCI has 2,125 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
UCI UCSD
Vote to see the other's choices.

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$14,237
Out-Of-State$45,014
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,265
Out-Of-State$46,042
74%% Receiving Financial Aid58%
$18,266Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,811
25.57 %Acceptance Rates24.52 %
21.95 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)21.85 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate87 %
6 %Transfer-out Rate-
91 %Retention Rate93 %
35,937Student Population42,006
2,125Number of Faculties2,799
18 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