UCSD vs. UVA

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, CA with University of Virginia Main Campus in Charlottesville, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of California San Diego is larger than UVA based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 26,409 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of Virginia Main Campus is in Charlottesville, VA (Small City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Virginia Main Campus is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; University of Virginia Main Campus 15:1.

UCSD vs. UVA Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or UVA? 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 UVA ($14,047 vs. $18,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Virginia Main Campus are 22% lower than at University of California San Diego ($14,800 vs. $18,970).
• University of Virginia Main Campus is 30.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $5,045 more per year; $21,803.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.8% higher at UVA than at University of California San Diego (about $8,554 more per year; $59,512.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at University of Virginia Main Campus (59% vs. 39%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Virginia Main Campus students is 11.5% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($28,715 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. UVA Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Virginia Main Campus (1480) is 100 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming UVA students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Virginia Main Campus 1410/1540.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Virginia Main Campus 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; UVA - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UVA students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.85) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than UVA (16.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 40% at UVA.

UCSD vs. UVA Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and UVA? 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 Virginia Main Campus's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of California San Diego's (85%).
• Graduates from University of Virginia Main Campus earn a median of about $9,300 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,200 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than UVA graduates ($18,500 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UVA graduates ($191 vs. $201).
• More UVA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCSD students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 82%)

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.