Scholarships at University of California-San Diego: average net price by family income
Before any aid, University of California-San Diego lists a price of $38,505 a year. After grants and scholarships, the average net price varies by family income. Here are the numbers.
UC San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. The average net price for family income $0–$30,000 is $7,525 a year, after grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates awarded Title IV aid paying in-state or in-district tuition (IPEDS 2023–24 net price (provisional)).
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Before any aid, the published price is $38,505 a year*, including tuition, housing, food and books. It is the starting point, not necessarily your family's final cost: there may be scholarships from other sources. For family income $0–$30,000, the average net price was $7,525 a year after grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates awarded Title IV aid paying in-state or in-district tuition*.
If your child is undocumented or has no Social Security number: federal aid does not apply. Ask the college directly whether its own aid applies in your case, and get it in writing.
Admission, cost and graduation: three facts and three steps
- Admission: UC San Diego admitted about 25 % of those who applied (IPEDS 2023 admit rate). BCA guidance: review requirements and deadlines, and build a balanced list of options (safety, match and reach).
- Cost: The average net price for family income $0–$30,000 is $7,525 a year, after grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates awarded Title IV aid paying in-state or in-district tuition (IPEDS 2023–24 net price (provisional)). BCA guidance: file the FAFSA on time and compare the net price of several options before deciding.
- Graduation: About 88 % complete their program within 150% of normal time (IPEDS graduation rate). BCA guidance: confirm the funding covers every year of the program and check your major's graduation rate, not just the overall one.
Want to know how much aid your child could get?
In our free 6-Tips presentation we show you, step by step, how to build a strategy to get scholarships and financial aid at U.S. universities.
What UC San Diego really looks at to admit (per its Common Data Set)
UC San Diego admitted about 25 % of those who applied (IPEDS 2023 admit rate). Its Common Data Set states which factors it considers for admission.
What it DOES consider
- Course rigor
- GPA
- Application essay
- Activities & leadership
- Character & personal qualities
- Special talent or ability
- Being first-generation
- Work experience
- Volunteer work
- Class rank
- State of residence
- Region of the country
What it does NOT consider
- ×Test scores (SAT/ACT)
- ×Recommendation letters
- ×Interview
- ×Alumni relation (legacy)
- ×Demonstrated interest
- ×Religious affiliation
UC San Diego alumni with a public source
Real people who studied here, with a name and a public source. Each card links to its source.
Connie Mariano was born in the Philippines, the daughter of an enlisted Navy sailor, and graduated with honors from UC San Diego in 1977. She became personal physician to two U.S. presidents and the first Filipino American to reach the rank of rear admiral in the Navy, proof that where you start need not limit how far you go.
Benicio del Toro came to UC San Diego to study business, but an elective drama course sparked his true calling. That turn led him to become one of the world's most respected actors, winning the Oscar, the Golden Globe, and top acting prizes at Cannes and Berlin.
The plan: what to do by grade level
9th–10th grade
Build the base: challenging classes, a solid GPA, deep activities and study habits.
11th grade
Strategy: this institution reports that it does not consider SAT/ACT (test-blind), so there is no need to send them; build a balanced list of options, start your essays and prepare scholarships and the FAFSA.
12th grade
Execution: meet deadlines, finish essays and letters, submit the FAFSA, apply and compare aid offers.
If already applied
Understand the aid letters, compare the real net price across options and confirm funding for every year.
Sticker and net price
The published cost of attendance is $38,505 a year (IPEDS 2023–24). The average net price —cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships— is the figure the income table compares. They are two different numbers.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to attend UC San Diego?
It depends on your family's income. The published cost of attendance is $38,505 a year (IPEDS 2023–24). The average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income, is in the table above.
What is the average net price at UC San Diego for family income $0–$30,000?
The average net price for family income $0–$30,000 is $7,525 a year, after grants and scholarships, for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates awarded Title IV aid paying in-state or in-district tuition (IPEDS 2023–24 net price (provisional)). Compare that net price with other options.
Are there Latino students at UC San Diego?
About 22 % of its students are Hispanic or Latino (total enrollment, fall 2023).
Is it hard to get into UC San Diego?
UC San Diego admitted about 25 % of those who applied (IPEDS 2023 admit rate).
Do students finish at UC San Diego?
About 88 % complete their program within 150% of normal time (IPEDS graduation rate).
Does this aid apply to mixed-status families or students without an SSN?
It depends on the institution and the state. Ask the institution's financial aid office and the state's student aid agency directly.
Want to know how much aid your child could get?
For families with high school students
Sources & methodology
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education / NCES (net price by income, admissions, cost, graduation, demographics).
- Common Data Set 2024-25 (section C7, admission factors).
- The university's official net price calculator.
- Net price: IPEDS 2023-24, provisional release (COST2_2024)
- Admissions: IPEDS fall 2023 (ADM2023)
- Graduation: IPEDS 2017 cohort, 150% of time (GR2023, final revised release)
- Pell Grant: IPEDS 2022-23 (SFA2223)
- Demographics: IPEDS fall 2023 (EF2023A)
Data definitions
- Admit rate
- Share of first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate applicants who were admitted (IPEDS ADM2023, fall 2023).
- Graduation rate
- Share of the adjusted 2017 total cohort of full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates (bachelor's or other degree/certificate) who completed a degree or certificate within 150% of normal time (IPEDS GR2023, final revised release, GRRTTOT).
- Hispanic or Latino students
- Share of total enrollment reported as Hispanic or Latino (IPEDS EF2023A, fall 2023).
- Pell Grant
- Share of undergraduates awarded a Pell Grant, the federal grant for low-income students (IPEDS SFA2223, 2022–23).
- Net price by family income
- Average net price: cost of attendance minus average grant or scholarship aid (federal, state or local government, or institutional), for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates awarded Title IV aid paying in-state or in-district tuition (IPEDS COST2_2024, 2023–24, provisional release, NPIS4x2).
- Average net price (all incomes)
- Average net price: cost of attendance minus average grant or scholarship aid, for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates paying in-state or in-district tuition awarded grant or scholarship aid from the federal government, state or local government, or the institution (IPEDS COST2_2024, 2023–24, provisional release, NPIST2).
- Published cost of attendance
- Tuition, fees, books, room and board and other expenses for full-time, first-time undergraduates living on campus, at the in-state tuition rate (IPEDS IC2023_AY, 2023–24).