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University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public · Visit Website

UC San Diego's expansive campus sits on over 2,000 acres of coastal land in La Jolla, offering stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. The university is known for its strong research focus and is organized into a unique system of undergraduate residential colleges, each with its own distinct character. Its proximity to the Pacific provides opportunities for marine science studies, and the campus is home to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps.

Programs Analyzed

Avg Grad Earnings

$44,968/yr

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

51/100

Tuition, In-State (Sticker)

$15,265/yr

Out-of-state: $46,042/yr

Financial Aid & Net Price

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships, by family income. 33% of students receive Pell Grants and 24% take federal loans.

Family Income	Avg Net Price/yr	4-Year Net Cost	Net-Price ROI
$0 – $30K	$7,487	$29,948	15.0x
$30K – $48K	$7,864	$31,456	14.3x
$48K – $75K	$10,389	$41,556	10.8x
$75K – $110K	$17,131	$68,524	6.6x
$110K+	$28,113	$112,452	4.0x
Sticker price (no aid)	$15,265	$61,060	7.4x

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships. ROI = average 10-year graduate earnings ÷ 4-year net cost. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

All Programs at University of California-San Diego

48 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for full AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Program	DW Score	Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Computer Science Compare across schools	90	$112,006/yr	Very High	25.3x
Computer Engineering Compare across schools	86	$96,256/yr	Very High	24.3x
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods Compare across schools	80	$60,973/yr	Very High	13.1x
Biomathematics & Bioinformatics Compare across schools	78	$76,592/yr	Very High	21.7x
Electrical Compare across schools	75	$80,687/yr	Very High	18.7x
Aerospace Compare across schools	72	$65,401/yr	High	16.6x
Economics Compare across schools	72	$51,192/yr	Very High	12.8x
Mathematics and Computer Science Compare across schools	71	$89,651/yr	Very High	13.7x
Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools	71	$69,555/yr	Very High	15.3x
Civil Engineering Compare across schools	70	$65,478/yr	High	14.1x
Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools	69	$65,045/yr	High	18.4x
Chemical Engineering Compare across schools	68	$59,508/yr	High	15.0x
Engineering, Other Compare across schools	65	$56,522/yr	High	14.4x
Chemistry Compare across schools	65	$45,310/yr	High	12.6x
Mathematics Compare across schools	62	$52,339/yr	Very High	10.5x
Physics Compare across schools	62	$48,951/yr	Very High	12.8x
Applied Mathematics Compare across schools	58	$42,859/yr	Very High	12.1x
Cognitive Science Compare across schools	57	$39,839/yr	Moderate	12.9x
Biochemistry & Biophysics and Molecular Biology Compare across schools	54	$45,066/yr	High	11.6x
Public Health Compare across schools	54	$39,144/yr	High	10.0x
Biological/Biosystems Engineering Compare across schools	52	$67,016/yr	High	10.0x
International/Global Studies Compare across schools	50	$45,168/yr	Moderate	11.1x
Urban Studies/Affairs Compare across schools	50	$37,074/yr	High	10.7x
Human Development & Family Studies Compare across schools	50	$33,489/yr	High	9.4x
Political Science and Government Compare across schools	50	$33,345/yr	Very High	10.5x
Psychology, Other Compare across schools	47	$47,672/yr	High	6.8x
Microbiological Sciences and Immunology Compare across schools	47	$43,608/yr	High	6.1x
Natural Resources Conservation and Research Compare across schools	47	$37,524/yr	High	11.1x
Biology, General Compare across schools	47	$34,504/yr	High	10.4x
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology Compare across schools	46	$26,953/yr	High	9.4x
Sociology Compare across schools	45	$36,464/yr	High	8.9x
Research and Experimental Psychology Compare across schools	44	$23,420/yr	High	10.5x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools	42	$33,046/yr	High	9.7x
Neurobiology and Neurosciences Compare across schools	39	$32,081/yr	High	10.4x
History Compare across schools	38	$21,713/yr	High	8.9x
Psychology, General Compare across schools	37	$29,144/yr	High	8.3x
Anthropology Compare across schools	36	$28,543/yr	High	7.8x
Ecology & Evolution Compare across schools	33	$31,088/yr	High	8.1x
Statistics Compare across schools	32	$36,676/yr	Very High	5.0x
Ethnic & Cultural Minority Compare across schools	32	$30,984/yr	Very High	8.8x
Visual and Performing Arts, Other Compare across schools	28	$34,401/yr	High	4.6x
Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools	27	$21,777/yr	Moderate	6.4x
Linguistic & Comparative Compare across schools	27	$19,809/yr	Very High	7.6x
Music Compare across schools	26	$21,592/yr	High	6.2x
English Language and Literature, General Compare across schools	23	$24,523/yr	Very High	3.0x
English Language and Literature/Letters Compare across schools	20	$21,788/yr	Very High	7.2x
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools	20	$18,026/yr	Moderate	5.5x
Philosophy Compare across schools	19	$24,669/yr	Very High	3.0x

Compare any program at University of California-San Diego with another school. Use the comparison tool →

Scores use College Scorecard earnings, BLS employment projections, and AI task-exposure research. See full methodology →