UCSD vs CSULB: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-San Diego and California State University-Long Beach, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UCSD vs CSULB at a glance
UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and CSULB 46.3% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,794 at UCSD and $9,426 at CSULB. Six-year graduation rates are 86% and 70.3%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and CSULB 46.3%, so UCSD is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,794 a year at UCSD and $9,426 at CSULB; CSULB costs $5,368 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $9,229 at UCSD and $6,443 at CSULB.
- 86% of students graduate within six years at UCSD, against 70.3% at CSULB.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $96,197 for UCSD and $69,554 for CSULB; UCSD is $26,643 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $13,000 at UCSD and $14,195 at CSULB.
- UCSD enrolls 34,948 students (large city) and CSULB 35,924 (large city).
Side by side
UCSD and CSULB in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | UCSD | CSULB |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 26.7% | 46.3% |
| Applicants | 118,386 | 67,122 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,794 | $9,426 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,337 | $8,338 |
| Tuition, out of state | $54,939 | $21,658 |
| Cost of attendance | $41,664 | $22,926 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $9,229 | $6,443 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,965 | $6,576 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,147 | $7,576 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,235 | $11,462 |
| Over $110,000 | $32,338 | $19,919 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 86% | 70.3% |
| First-year retention | 94% | 86.8% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $96,197 | $69,554 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $13,000 | $14,195 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $148 | $161 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 34,948 | 35,924 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | City: Large |
| Location | La Jolla, CA | Long Beach, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
UCSD reports 72 bachelor's programs and CSULB 86; 48 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UCSD vs CSULB
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UCSD or CSULB?
UCSD is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and CSULB admits 46.3%.
Which is cheaper, UCSD or CSULB?
CSULB has the lower average net price after grants: $14,794 a year at UCSD against $9,426 at CSULB. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $9,229 and $6,443. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UCSD or CSULB graduates earn more?
UCSD graduates earn more at the median: $96,197 ten years after entry for UCSD and $69,554 for CSULB. Median federal debt at graduation is $13,000 and $14,195.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UCSD or CSULB?
UCSD does: 86% of UCSD students graduate within six years, against 70.3% at CSULB.
How big are UCSD and CSULB?
UCSD has 34,948 students in La Jolla, CA and CSULB has 35,924 students in Long Beach, CA.