UC San Diego vs U of U
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of two esteemed institutions: the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) and the University of Utah (U of U). While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer distinct experiences that cater to diverse student aspirations. UCSD, nestled along the scenic Pacific coast, boasts a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 30.4%, while U of U, located in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains, welcomes a broader range of applicants, reflected in its 81.4% acceptance rate. Explore the nuances of each university's popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, meticulously presented in the comparison table below, to discern the institution that best aligns with your academic pursuits and personal preferences.
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![]() University of California-San Diego |
![]() University of Utah |
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Overview |
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Location | La Jolla, California | Salt Lake City, Utah |
Campus setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 87.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 34.2% | 95.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
|
Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$55
|
SAT range | N/A | 1180 - 1390 |
ACT range | N/A | 22 - 30 |
Students submitting SAT score | 13.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 54.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 118,386 | 18,302 |
Total number of admissions given out | 40,493 | 17,381 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 7,544 | 5,361 |
Yield rate | 18.6% | 30.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$35,116
Out of state:
$64,870
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In state:
$26,579
Out of state:
$46,031
|
Average net price | $15,632 | $12,972 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
|
In state:
$7,749
Out of state:
$27,201
|
Room & board | $16,145 |
Room/dormitory:
$5,997
Meal plan:
$4,665
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
48.0%
Average amount $18,083 |
86.0%
Average amount $9,431 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
21.0%
Average amount $4,545 |
19.0%
Average amount $7,729 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $4,851 |
4.0%
Average amount $19,449 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
33,343
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
25,826
Men 51.8% Women 48.2% |
Graduate students |
8,542
Men 57.6% Women 42.4% |
8,638
Men 49.9% Women 50.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 16.6% | 39.6% |
International students | 21.3% | 8.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 17,765 | 6,250 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Texas New York Illinois | Utah California Colorado Idaho Washington |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 89.4% | 67.2% |
Dropout rate | 9.7% | 25.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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