Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at University of California-San Diego, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 18% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 92nd percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at University of California-San Diego
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $112,006 | $159,487 | +49% | #25 of 349 | #31 | $16,166 |
| Computer Engineering | $96,256 | $149,139 | +37% | #13 of 189 | #15 | $18,414 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | $89,651 | $137,218 | +15% | #3 of 5 | #3 | $18,887 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | $76,592 | $123,320 | +42% | — | — | $18,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $80,687 | $118,150 | +17% | #13 of 258 | #55 | $20,000 |
| Biological/Biosystems Engineering | $67,016 | $111,677 | +33% | #1 of 9 | #1 | $18,716 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $69,555 | $104,229 | +13% | #23 of 318 | #118 | $20,000 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $65,401 | $100,173 | +2% | #19 of 59 | #47 | $20,008 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $65,045 | $98,687 | +6% | #37 of 118 | #72 | $20,000 |
| Chemical Engineering | $59,508 | $96,798 | -1% | #80 of 158 | #130 | $18,500 |
| Statistics | $36,676 | $96,746 | +5% | #18 of 50 | #25 | $18,583 |
| Physics | $48,951 | $95,018 | +24% | #14 of 107 | #30 | $18,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $65,478 | $91,745 | +6% | #42 of 233 | #152 | $16,400 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | $60,973 | $89,451 | +4% | #54 of 126 | #71 | $15,127 |
| Engineering | $56,522 | $88,159 | -6% | #15 of 19 | #18 | $18,954 |
| Economics | $51,192 | $87,307 | +6% | #122 of 368 | #176 | $14,667 |
| Applied Mathematics | $42,859 | $85,233 | -7% | #26 of 45 | #32 | $15,249 |
| International/Globalization Studies | $45,168 | $81,174 | +35% | #4 of 87 | #10 | $15,500 |
| Cognitive Science | $39,839 | $81,160 | +-0% | #9 of 19 | #10 | $17,427 |
| Mathematics | $52,339 | $79,015 | +14% | #88 of 309 | #139 | $16,250 |
| Chemistry | $45,310 | $77,249 | +19% | #33 of 209 | #60 | $16,050 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $45,066 | $72,491 | +11% | #31 of 110 | #49 | $17,359 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | $37,074 | $71,380 | +14% | #8 of 30 | #9 | $15,499 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $37,524 | $69,061 | +26% | #22 of 265 | #38 | $18,000 |
| Political Science and Government | $33,345 | $67,713 | +7% | #157 of 565 | #262 | $15,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,046 | $67,302 | +19% | #74 of 660 | #134 | $13,193 |
| Public Health | $39,144 | $66,110 | +12% | #40 of 215 | #84 | $15,000 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | $34,401 | $64,822 | +36% | #1 of 10 | #1 | $19,968 |
| Biology | $34,504 | $64,437 | +13% | #207 of 841 | #410 | $17,450 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $43,608 | $64,428 | +3% | #31 of 49 | #43 | $13,811 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | $23,420 | $63,130 | +13% | #30 of 82 | #35 | $14,814 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $32,081 | $61,799 | -1% | #34 of 67 | #49 | $19,000 |
| History | $21,713 | $61,745 | +22% | #44 of 459 | #96 | $16,756 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $33,489 | $61,262 | +26% | #7 of 172 | #19 | $19,000 |
| Music | $21,592 | $58,071 | +35% | #14 of 268 | #48 | $19,500 |
| English Language and Literature/Letters | $21,788 | $57,900 | +24% | #1 of 14 | #2 | $18,000 |
| Anthropology | $28,543 | $56,982 | +22% | #16 of 188 | #30 | $13,500 |
| English Language and Literature | $24,523 | $56,097 | +15% | #113 of 576 | #209 | $13,555 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | $26,953 | $56,000 | +11% | #21 of 59 | #33 | $15,000 |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | $19,809 | $55,776 | +12% | #24 of 90 | #43 | $14,497 |
| Sociology | $36,464 | $55,534 | +5% | #151 of 462 | #269 | $13,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $30,984 | $53,319 | +3% | #46 of 103 | #60 | $24,237 |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | $31,088 | $52,701 | +8% | #25 of 62 | #31 | $18,367 |
| Psychology | $29,144 | $51,679 | +2% | #418 of 1027 | #731 | $15,446 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $21,777 | $48,506 | +17% | #70 of 423 | #146 | $14,833 |
| Psychology | $47,672 | — | — | — | — | $19,033 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | — | $45,915 | +10% | #20 of 68 | #35 | $15,000 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $18,026 | $41,389 | +4% | #106 of 255 | #168 | $14,458 |
| Philosophy | $24,669 | — | — | — | — | $15,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The University of California-San Diego Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 92121 (2.9% cap, San Diego)
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🏆 Where University of California-San Diego Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $11,834 | $42,611 |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $38,505 | $69,282 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,487 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,864 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,389 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,131 |
| $110,001+ | $28,113 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from University of California-San Diego's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of California-San Diego?
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- Outcomes (A+): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C+): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (B): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (A): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (A): Reputation and recognition
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🎓 Similar Colleges to University of California-San Diego
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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology