UC San Diego
San Diego, California
How selective is it?
UC San Diego is in our Highly Selective tier (~15-30% acceptance). Competitive. Most admitted students are at or above the school's typical academic profile.
Fall 2026 acceptance rate ~27%.
Tiers are broad on purpose. Acceptance rates move every cycle, and many schools are more competitive for specific majors than the school overall, so use this as a starting point for your list, not a prediction.
How to use UC San Diego in your college list
This is usually a reach or a high-end target. A strong, consistent record in the most rigorous courses available at your school helps, but admission isn't assured at typical-range numbers. Check whether your intended major is more competitive than the school overall.
Building a list across tiers? See all 47 California colleges in our finder, or follow our guide to building a list by score and GPA.
What it's known for
UC San Diego is widely recognized for strengths in the fields below. This reflects peer-assessment rankings and long-standing reputation, not a full list of programs.
Explore related majors: Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Data Science, Civil Engineering, Information Technology, Chemical Engineering.
Check the current numbers yourself
For UC San Diego's current test-score and GPA ranges, acceptance rate, and cost, go to the source:
- Find its Common Data Set ↗ Section C has the middle 50% of scores and GPA. Our step-by-step guide shows how to read it.
- College Scorecard ↗ U.S. Department of Education data on cost, graduation, and outcomes.
- Net price calculator ↗ Estimate what your family would actually pay after aid.
- Find the official admissions page ↗ Deadlines, requirements, and how to apply.
Similar colleges to consider
Schools with a similar selectivity, in the same state, or known for the same fields. A balanced list usually mixes a few reaches, several realistic targets, and at least one or two safeties.
Frequently asked questions
How selective is UC San Diego?+
UC San Diego sits in our "Highly Selective" tier (~15-30% acceptance). Fall 2026 acceptance rate ~27%.
Is UC San Diego hard to get into?+
Competitive. Most admitted students are at or above the school's typical academic profile. Selectivity varies by major and changes every admissions cycle, so treat the tier as a starting point and check UC San Diego's own admissions data for the current year.
What is UC San Diego known for?+
UC San Diego is widely recognized for strengths in Computer Science & IT, Engineering. This reflects reputation and peer-assessment rankings, not a complete list of programs, so confirm that a specific major is offered and how competitive it is.
How do I find UC San Diego's current SAT, ACT, and GPA ranges?+
Search "UC San Diego Common Data Set" and open Section C, which lists the middle 50% of test scores and GPA for the entering class. Our guide "How to Build Your Own College List by Score and GPA" on this site walks through it step by step.
Where is UC San Diego?+
UC San Diego is a public institution in San Diego, California.
Selectivity tiers and "known for" tags are general guidance compiled from public sources and may be out of date. MajorAtlas isn't affiliated with UC San Diego. Always confirm details with the school.