University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Official website ↗
University of California, San Diego is in La Jolla, CA, United States. Tuition for international students: $53,472 per year (2026-27 figure). Standard entry requirements: A-G courses GPA 3.4. Language: IELTS 7, TOEFL iBT 83. Applying: intake: Fall; application fee $95. Scholarships: 1 from the university.
✓ 35 facts from 19 official pages, each with the exact sentence it comes from · checked 2026-11-12 · How we verify
27%
Admission rate
34,948
Undergraduates
$54,939
Tuition (U.S. out-of-state)
$41,664
Cost of attendance / yr
$96,197
Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
Public university: the tuition shown is the rate for U.S. students from other states. International students usually pay this rate or more, and need extra funds for health insurance and visa costs — check the college's international cost page.
Reference only. Automatically checked against the college's official pages on 2026-11-12; maintained by Jordan Lee, editor. Colleges can change policies at any time — confirm on the official page before you apply. Spotted an error? Tell us.
Quick summary
| Cost per year | not yet determined — public universities publish in-state costs; international students pay more. The college asks you to show $82,662 in available funds for the I-20 (visa paperwork). This is proof you can pay, not a bill. |
|---|---|
| Money from the college | Need-based aid: none for international students. Merit scholarships: international students can receive them. No named scholarship is confirmed open to international students yet. |
| Chances of admission | selective: about 1 in 4 applicants is admitted. English minimum: IELTS 7, TOEFL (1–6) 4.5, TOEFL 83, Duolingo 115. |
| Application deadlines | Earliest: Nov 30 (Regular Decision — The normal round; not binding.) |
| Where and how students live | La Jolla, CA · Large city · summer highs about 28°C, winter lows about 8°C · 17 km from SAN airport |
| Housing | First-year housing: Guaranteed; housing and meals $20,443 per year |
| Working while studying | F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Other work needs authorization: curricular practical training (CPT) during the program, or off-campus employment for economic hardship after one full academic year, approved by the DSO and USCIS. |
| After graduation | Optional Practical Training (OPT): 12 months of work in the field of study after a bachelor's degree; a 24-month extension applies to DHS-designated STEM degrees. · 13% go on to further study (2022-23) |
Plain-language summary of the verified details below. Where it says “not yet determined”, we have not found it on an official page yet.
Financial aid & requirements for international students
| Aid & admission for international applicants | No need-based aid for international undergraduates International students are not eligible for need-based institutional aid; only merit awards or outside funding. (reference)Sources (3)“Check off all financial aid forms nonresident first-year financial aid applicants must submit:”ir.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Other (specify): Not eligible”ir.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“International students are not eligible to receive federal or state financial aid.”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
|---|---|
| Meets full financial need | No — does not promise to meet full need (reference)Sources (2)“Check off all financial aid forms nonresident first-year financial aid applicants must submit:”ir.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Other (specify): Not eligible”ir.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Merit scholarships | Yes — international students can receive merit scholarships (reference)Sources (1)“The Triton Scholars Award is a renewable scholarship for incoming first-year non-resident students who demonstrate academic excellence and bring unique perspectives to the campus community.”fas.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| SAT / ACT policy | Test-blind (scores not considered)Sources (1)“UC San Diego does not consider SAT or ACT test scores as a factor in admissions or scholarship decisions.”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| English proficiency | English test required unless an exemption applies
Sources (6)“Demonstration of English proficiency is required if your native language is not English and your secondary/high school education was in a country where English is not the language of instruction.”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“TOEFL minimum scores”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Internet-based: 4.5 (Effective January 2026)”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“83 (Exams completed prior to January 2026)”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“IELTS minimum score of 7 (Academic module)”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum score of 115”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Conditional admission / English pathway | Not yet determined — check the college site ↗ |
Scholarships for first-year students
Triton Scholars Award
$5,000–$20,000 / year
- Amount: $5,000–$20,000 / year
- Renewal: Renewable — up to 4 years
- How to apply: Automatic — considered with your admission application
Sources (3)
“The Triton Scholars Award is a renewable scholarship for incoming first-year non-resident students who demonstrate academic excellence and bring unique perspectives to the campus community.”fas.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Awards range from $5,000 to $20,000 per year for up to four years of undergraduate study.”fas.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Eligible students are automatically considered through the UC application for admission—no separate application is required.”fas.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Programmes
| Bachelor's programme | Computer Science (B.S.) Source (1)“The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) offers four degree programs: the BS in computer science, the BS in computer engineering, the BS in artificial intelligence, and the BS in computer science with a specialization in bioinformatics.”catalog.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Economics (B.A./B.S.) Source (2)“A detailed description of the BS economics major, as well as two- and four-year plans, are available in the undergraduate program section of the department website”catalog.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“A detailed description of the BA economics major, as well as two- and four-year plans, are available in the Undergraduate Program section of the department website”catalog.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12General Biology (B.S.) Source (2)“The school offers seven different majors, each with a distinct focus. They are (1) biology with a specialization in bioinformatics, (2) ecology, behavior, and evolution, (3) general biology, (4) human biology, (5) microbiology, (6) molecular and cell biology, and (7) neurobiology.”catalog.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“The bachelor of science granted in each of these majors will be so designated.”catalog.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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Applying
| Academic entry requirement for your school qualification |
Requirements for other school qualifications differ by country — see the college's page ↗ |
|---|---|
| Entry score guide (reference, not a minimum) | GPA 4.12-4.28 — middle 50% of admitted students Source (2)“GPA 4.12 - 4.28”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“GPA range reflects the middle 50%”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Intakes (start months) for first-year entry | Fall Source (1)“The Fall 2027 Application opens August 1 and you can submit it October 1-Nov 30.”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Application fee | $95 one-time Source (1)“The application fee is $80 for each UC campus ($95 for international and non-immigrant applicants).”admission.universityofcalifornia.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Application requirement | English proficiency test: Required Source (1)“Demonstration of English proficiency is required if your native language is not English and your secondary/high school education was in a country where English is not the language of instruction.”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Personal statement / main essay: Required Source (1)“You must answer 4 out of 8 questions. Each answer is limited to 350 words.”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12School transcript / academic records: Required Source (2)“Deadline to Submit Your Final Transcripts”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“You are required to send your transcripts by July 1 to maintain your admission.”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Deadlines (fall 2027 entry)
| Regular Decision — Application — Fall intake | Nov 30 The normal round; not binding. Source (2)“The Fall 2027 Application opens August 1 and you can submit it October 1-Nov 30.”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Submit the University of California Application by the November 30 deadline.”admissions.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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Dates as published by the college; check the official page for time zones and supporting-document deadlines.
Costs for international students
| Tuition | $53,472 per year (2026–27 figure) (reference) |
|---|---|
| Housing and meals | $20,443 per year (2026–27 figure) |
| Living costs (college estimate) | $23,040 per year (2026 figure) |
| Student health insurance | $1,065 per term (2026–27 figure) (reference) Can be waived if you have comparable insurance |
| Proof of funds for the I-20 | $82,662 per year (2026 figure) Funds you must document for the first year to receive the I-20 (needed for the student visa). |
Sources (11)
“Tuition: Nonresident $53,472 $49,280”ir.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Provide 2026-2027 academic year costs of attendance for the following categories that are applicable to your institution.”ir.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Food and housing (on-campus): $20,443 $20,443”ir.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“I-20/DS-2019 Funding Requirements for 2026”iseo.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“NEW ADMITS: 1 Academic Year/3 Quarters (9 Months)”iseo.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Living Expenses | $23,040 | $15,360 | $7,680”iseo.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Undergraduate fees for all students 2026-27 academic year”students.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Mandatory Health Insurance | $1,065.00 | $1,065.00 | $1,065.00”students.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“students already covered by an insurance plan may qualify for a health fee waiver”students.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“F-1 students must show enough funding to meet or exceed the financial estimate for 1 academic year of their program of study.”iseo.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Total: | $82,662 | $54,898 | $27,449”iseo.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12Where students live
| First-year on-campus housing | Guaranteed Source (1)“The undergraduate incoming Fall and Winter class (first-year and transfer students) are eligible for a two-year housing guarantee.”hdhughousing.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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| Years of guaranteed campus housing | 2 Source (1)“The undergraduate incoming Fall and Winter class (first-year and transfer students) are eligible for a two-year housing guarantee.”hdhughousing.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Housing available during breaks | Yes Source (1)“If your student will stay on campus over Winter or Spring Break, remind them to save some Triton Cash.”hdhughousing.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Work and after graduation
| Work allowed while studying (rule as stated by the government) | F-1 students may work on campus up to 20 hours per week while school is in session. Other work needs authorization: curricular practical training (CPT) during the program, or off-campus employment for economic hardship after one full academic year, approved by the DSO and USCIS. government rule Source (4)“If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“F students are eligible for curricular practical training (CPT) at either the undergraduate or the graduate level during the program of study. CPT employment must be an integral part of an established curriculum and the position must directly relate to your major area of study.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Off-campus employment is only available to you if you have completed at least one full academic year of your program of study and have an economic hardship that qualifies for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's emergent circumstances.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“To work off campus, you must receive approval from your DSO, obtain an updated Form I-20 and apply for and receive employment authorization from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
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| Work hours allowed per week during term (student visa) | 20 (reference) government rule Source (1)“If you participate in on-campus employment, you may not work more than 20 hours per week when school is in session.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Post-study work visa (name and length) | Optional Practical Training (OPT): 12 months of work in the field of study after a bachelor's degree; a 24-month extension applies to DHS-designated STEM degrees. government rule Source (4)“Twelve months of Regular OPT is available for each higher level of study. (For example a student may have 12 months for a bachelor's degree and another 12 months for a master's degree.)”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Optional practical training is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“For students who majored in designated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) degrees approved by DHS. This type of OPT is a 24-month extension of OPT.”studyinthestates.dhs.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“Have earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a school that is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accrediting agency and is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) at the time you submit your STEM OPT extension application.”www.uscis.gov ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Accelerated bachelor's + master's programme | Yes Source (2)“The Department of Bioengineering offers an integrated program leading to a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Master of Science (MS) degree in bioengineering.”bioengineering.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12“The purpose of the BS/MS is to allow interested students to obtain the MS degree within one year following completion of the BS degree.”bioengineering.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
| Graduates going on to further study (college survey) | 13% (2022–23 figure) Source (1)“27% (2023-24) and 13% (2022-23) are enrolled in a program to continue their education by the time they graduate”career.ucsd.edu ↗ · checked 2026-11-12 |
Earnings by field of study
| Field | After 1 year | After 4 years |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science STEM | $109,047 | $159,487 |
| Computer Engineering STEM | $104,513 | $149,139 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science STEM | $86,456 | $137,218 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology STEM | $90,963 | $123,320 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering STEM | $88,098 | $118,150 |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering STEM | — | $111,677 |
| Mechanical Engineering STEM | $77,655 | $104,229 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering STEM | $76,064 | $100,173 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering STEM | $59,527 | $98,687 |
| Chemical Engineering STEM | $70,446 | $96,798 |
| Statistics STEM | — | $96,746 |
| Physics STEM | $61,325 | $95,018 |
Median yearly earnings of graduates of this college's bachelor's programme in each field, 1 and 4 years after finishing. Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (retrieved 2026-11-11). Only graduates who received U.S. federal student aid are counted, so international students are not included. “STEM” = the field includes majors on the U.S. DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List (updated 2024-07-22); graduates of those majors on F-1 visas may apply for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Check your exact major's CIP code with the college.
Location
| City / state | La Jolla, CA |
|---|---|
| Setting | Large city |
| Nearest major airport | San Diego International Airport (SAN), about 17 km in a straight line |
| Map | View on OpenStreetMap ↗ |
Setting from the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard); airport from OurAirports (public-domain data).
Climate
| Warmest month (Aug) | average high 28°C (82°F) |
|---|---|
| Coldest month (Dec) | average low 8°C (46°F) |
| Precipitation per year | 292 mm |
Month by month
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 20° | 20° | 20° | 21° | 22° | 24° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 25° | 22° | 19° |
| Low °C | 8° | 9° | 10° | 11° | 14° | 16° | 18° | 18° | 17° | 14° | 10° | 8° |
| Rain mm | 58 | 68 | 42 | 20 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 24 | 50 |
Averages for 1991–2020 at the San Diego Miramar Nas, Ca Us weather station, about 10 km from campus. Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals.
Cost, admission rate, test-score ranges and earnings come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (retrieved 2026-11-11). SAT range adds the 25th/75th-percentile section scores, so it is approximate. Scorecard earnings are for federal-aid recipients.