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 ($46,042) than UCLA ($44,524).
  • It is harder to admit to UCLA than UCSD.
  • UCLA has more students with 46,430 students while UCSD has 42,006 students.
  • UCLA has a lower number of students per faculty with 18 to 1 while UCSD's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UCLA has more full-time faculties with 4,153 faculties while UCSD has 2,799 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$15,265
Out-Of-State$46,042
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$13,747
Out-Of-State$44,524
58%% Receiving Financial Aid55%
$20,811Average Amount of Financial Aid$21,322
24.52 %Acceptance Rates8.73 %
21.85 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)51.70 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
87 %Graduation Rate92 %
-Transfer-out Rate3 %
93 %Retention Rate97 %
42,006Student Population46,430
2,799Number of Faculties4,153
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 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