UCSD vs UGA: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-San Diego and University of Georgia, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UCSD vs UGA at a glance
UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and UGA 37.7% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,794 at UCSD and $13,636 at UGA. Six-year graduation rates are 86% and 89.1%, 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 UGA 37.7%, so UCSD is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,794 a year at UCSD and $13,636 at UGA; UGA costs $1,158 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $9,229 at UCSD and $8,995 at UGA.
- 86% of students graduate within six years at UCSD, against 89.1% at UGA.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $96,197 for UCSD and $77,246 for UGA; UCSD is $18,951 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $13,000 at UCSD and $15,623 at UGA.
- UCSD enrolls 34,948 students (large city) and UGA 32,137 (midsize city).
Side by side
UCSD and UGA 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 | UGA |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 26.7% | 37.7% |
| Applicants | 118,386 | 39,229 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | Not reported | 1270–1480 |
| ACT middle 50% | Not reported | 29–34 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,794 | $13,636 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,337 | $11,492 |
| Tuition, out of state | $54,939 | $32,336 |
| Cost of attendance | $41,664 | $28,728 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $9,229 | $8,995 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,965 | $8,715 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,147 | $11,169 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,235 | $15,969 |
| Over $110,000 | $32,338 | $18,564 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 86% | 89.1% |
| First-year retention | 94% | 94% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $96,197 | $77,246 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $13,000 | $15,623 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $148 | $178 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 34,948 | 32,137 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | City: Midsize |
| Location | La Jolla, CA | Athens, GA |
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 UGA 102; 46 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UCSD vs UGA
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UCSD or UGA?
UCSD is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and UGA admits 37.7%.
Which is cheaper, UCSD or UGA?
UGA has the lower average net price after grants: $14,794 a year at UCSD against $13,636 at UGA. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $9,229 and $8,995. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UCSD or UGA graduates earn more?
UCSD graduates earn more at the median: $96,197 ten years after entry for UCSD and $77,246 for UGA. Median federal debt at graduation is $13,000 and $15,623.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UCSD or UGA?
UGA does: 86% of UCSD students graduate within six years, against 89.1% at UGA.
How big are UCSD and UGA?
UCSD has 34,948 students in La Jolla, CA and UGA has 32,137 students in Athens, GA.