,·Public Research University·Est. 1960
“A world-class public research university perched above the Pacific, where scientific discovery, innovation, and a one-of-a-kind college system converge.”
UC San Diego is one of the world's leading public research universities, consistently ranked among the top 30 national universities and the top 10 public universities in the United States. Situated on 1,200 acres of coastal eucalyptus woodland in La Jolla, California, the campus offers a stunning environment that blends rigorous academic culture with California's beach lifestyle. Founded in 1960, the university has grown from a small science and engineering institute to a comprehensive research powerhouse across 12 schools and divisions, attracting over $1.7 billion in annual research funding — one of the highest totals among public universities in the nation. One of UC San Diego's most distinctive features is its residential college system. The campus is organized into eight undergraduate colleges — Revelle, Muir, Marshall, Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth — each with its own culture, traditions, general education curriculum, and on-campus community. The iconic Geisel Library, named in honor of Dr. Seuss's widow, serves as the architectural centerpiece of the campus. UCSD is renowned for strengths in STEM fields, particularly computer science, electrical and computer engineering, bioengineering, cognitive science, oceanography, and the biological sciences. The Jacobs School of Engineering is ranked among the top engineering schools in the nation, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography is one of the oldest and most prestigious oceanographic research institutions in the world. With proximity to San Diego's booming biotech industry — one of the largest biotech clusters in the world — UCSD graduates are exceptionally well-positioned for careers in life sciences, technology, engineering, and research. The university's eight residential colleges, top-ranked programs, and spectacular coastal setting make it a uniquely compelling choice for international students seeking a world-class public university experience.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
National Universities
US News 2026
Top Public Schools
US News 2026
Oceanography
US News 2026 Graduate Rankings
Psychology
US News 2026
Computer Science
US News 2026
Biomedical / Bioengineering
US News 2026 Specialty
Cybersecurity
US News 2026 Specialty
Test Free — No test scores needed — they won't be reviewed even if submitted.
Official SourceRegular Decision (Fall 2026)
UC Application filing period: October 1 – November 30. UC San Diego accepts fall-term applications only. No early action or early decision programs.
This university does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admissions.
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Domestic
$14,934 – $17,500
/yr
Out-of-State / Intl
$47,000 – $52,536
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
One of the nation's top engineering schools, encompassing six departments: Bioengineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, NanoEngineering, and Structural Engineering. Ranked #17 nationally for undergraduate engineering.
A leading life sciences division offering undergraduate majors across molecular biology, ecology, genetics, marine biology, and microbiology. Students have direct access to world-class research labs and the adjacent Scripps Institution of Oceanography.
One of the world's most renowned ocean, earth, and atmospheric science institutions, founded in 1903. Ranks #1 nationally in oceanography.
UC San Diego's business school with connections to San Diego's biotech, healthcare, and tech industries and a strong entrepreneurship ecosystem.
A large, multidisciplinary school spanning economics, political science, psychology, sociology, cognitive science, and linguistics.
4 years
Ranked #12 nationally, UCSD's CS program offers concentrations in algorithms, AI, computer systems, and more. Students benefit from proximity to San Diego's tech corridor and world-class faculty research groups.
4 years
UCSD is widely recognized as the birthplace of Cognitive Science as an academic discipline. The program integrates psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, computer science, and philosophy, making graduates highly sought after in AI, UX, and research fields.
4 years
Ranked top 10 nationally, this program sits at the intersection of engineering and life sciences. Students have direct pathways into San Diego's world-leading biotech industry.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $68,169
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
