UCSD vs. UConn

University of California San Diego and University of Connecticut side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

University of California San Diego
University of Connecticut

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: UCSD (26.7% admitted vs 52.4%). Typical SAT 1380 vs 1330.
  • Cheaper after aid: UCSD. Average net price is $14,047 vs $25,310 at UConn.
  • Graduation: UCSD 85% vs UConn 83%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: UCSD $67,900 vs UConn $62,000 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

University of California San Diego University of Connecticut
Acceptance rate
UCSD more selective
UCSD26.7%
UConn52.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
UCSD higher
UCSD1270-1480
UConn1210-1440
Average net price
UCSD $11,263 less
UCSD$14,047
UConn$25,310
In-state tuition
UCSD $4,286 less
UCSD$16,758
UConn$21,044
Out-of-state tuition
UConn $7,246 less
UCSD$50,958
UConn$43,712
Graduation rate
UCSD +2 pts
UCSD85%
UConn83%
Median earnings (10 years)
UCSD +$5,900
UCSD$67,900
UConn$62,000

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at UCSD and UConn with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at UCSD Check my chances at UConn
  • Applied
  • UCSD 134,450
  • UConn 55,479
  • Admitted
  • UCSD 35,917
  • UConn 29,065
  • Acceptance rate
  • UCSD 26.7%
  • UConn 52.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • UCSD 20.4%
  • UConn 15.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • UCSD 1380
  • UConn 1330
  • Typical ACT score
  • UCSD 31
  • UConn 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • UCSD 3.82
  • UConn 3.74
  • Typical high school grades
  • UCSD A-
  • UConn A-
  • Admissions standards
  • UCSD Exceptional
  • UConn Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • UCSD High
  • UConn Low
  • SAT range
  • UCSD 1270-1480
  • UConn 1210-1440
  • ACT range
  • UCSD 28-34
  • UConn 28-33
  • Submit test scores
  • UCSD Test-free
  • UConn Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • UCSD Nov 30, 2026
  • UConn Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • UCSD $16,758
  • UConn $21,044
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • UCSD $50,958
  • UConn $43,712
  • Room & board
  • UCSD $18,970
  • UConn $14,380
  • Average net price
  • UCSD $14,047
  • UConn $25,310
  • Average grant aid
  • UCSD $25,757
  • UConn $16,503
  • % receiving grant aid
  • UCSD 59%
  • UConn 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • UCSD 85%
  • UConn 83%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • UCSD $67,900
  • UConn $62,000
  • Making student loan payments
  • UCSD 82%
  • UConn 78%
  • Median student loan debt
  • UCSD $18,500
  • UConn $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • UCSD $191
  • UConn $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • UCSD 19:1
  • UConn 17:1
  • Popular majors
  • UCSD
    • Biology (23%)
    • Social Sciences (21%)
    • Engineering (10%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • General Studies (7%)
  • UConn
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (8%)
    • Psychology (8%)
  • Location
  • UCSD La Jolla, CA
  • UConn Storrs, CT
  • Setting
  • UCSD Large City
  • UConn Town Fringe
  • Total enrollment
  • UCSD 44,256
  • UConn 28,306
  • Type
  • UCSD Public 4 Year
  • UConn Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • UCSD #87
  • UConn #106

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of California San Diego is larger than UConn based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 28,306 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of Connecticut is in Storrs, CT (Town Fringe setting).
  • University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Connecticut is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; University of Connecticut 17:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Connecticut are 24.2% lower than at University of California San Diego ($14,380 vs. $18,970).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 16.6% higher at UCSD than at University of Connecticut (about $7,246 more per year; $50,958 vs. $43,712).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Connecticut than at University of California San Diego (81% vs. 59%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 56.1% larger than aid received by University of Connecticut students ($25,757 vs. $16,503).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at UCSD than at UConn (31 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at UCSD, test optional at UConn.
  • Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; UConn Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at UCSD average a 3.82 high school GPA, 0.08 higher than at UConn (3.74).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 15.4% at UConn.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $3,000 lower median loan debt than UConn graduates ($18,500 vs. $21,500).
  • Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UConn graduates ($191 vs. $222).
  • More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UConn students, three years after graduation (82% vs. 78%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

University of California San Diego
University of Connecticut
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges