UCSD vs. Georgia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with University of Georgia in Athens, GA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California San Diego is larger than Georgia based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 43,146 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSD vs. Georgia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Georgia? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of California San Diego than Georgia ($14,047 vs. $16,662).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Georgia are 38.5% lower than at University of California San Diego ($11,672 vs. $18,970).
• University of California San Diego is 46.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgia (about $5,308 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $11,450.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.8% higher at UCSD than at University of Georgia (about $19,270 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $31,688.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Georgia than at University of California San Diego (89% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 120.6% larger than aid received by University of Georgia students ($25,757 vs. $11,674).

UCSD vs. Georgia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or Georgia? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Georgia and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is the same as at Georgia (1380).
• Incoming UCSD students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 31) as students at Georgia (31).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Georgia 1270/1480.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Georgia 29/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Georgia - Required to be considered for admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Georgia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Georgia students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• Georgia has a higher acceptance rate (37.7%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 38.3% at Georgia.

UCSD vs. Georgia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Georgia? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of California San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of Georgia's (82%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than Georgia graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $56,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $646 lower median loan debt than Georgia graduates ($18,500 vs. $19,146).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Georgia graduates ($191 vs. $197).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Georgia students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 67%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.