UCSD vs. Minnesota

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with University of Minnesota Twin Cities in Minneapolis, MN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is larger than UCSD based on total student enrollment (56,666 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

UCSD vs. Minnesota Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota ($14,047 vs. $17,209).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities are 27% lower than at University of California San Diego ($13,856 vs. $18,970).
• University of Minnesota Twin Cities is 2.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $456 more per year; $17,214.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.8% higher at UCSD than at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (about $12,596 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $38,362.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Minnesota Twin Cities than at University of California San Diego (65% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 105.2% larger than aid received by University of Minnesota Twin Cities students ($25,757 vs. $12,552).

UCSD vs. Minnesota Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or Minnesota? 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 Minnesota and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Minnesota Twin Cities (1400) is 20 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 28 at Minnesota).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 1300/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Minnesota Twin Cities 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Minnesota - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; Minnesota Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Minnesota (3.75).
• Minnesota has a higher acceptance rate (79.7%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 22.3% at Minnesota.

UCSD vs. Minnesota Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and Minnesota? 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 Minnesota Twin Cities's (70%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $9,700 more per year than Minnesota graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $58,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $1,685 lower median loan debt than Minnesota graduates ($18,500 vs. $20,185).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Minnesota graduates ($191 vs. $208).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Minnesota students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 74%)

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.