UC San Diego acceptance rate
UC San Diego admitted 28.6% of first-year applicants for fall 2025. Of 136,750 students who applied, 39,054 got in.
- 136,750applied
- 39,054admitted
- 7,801enrolled
- 20%of admitted students enrolled (yield)
Fall 2025 entering class. Source: UC San Diego, Common Data Set 2025–26, section C1. Checked October 30, 2026.
How this compares with the federal figure
The Department of Education's College Scorecard still shows fall 2024, the latest year federal data covers. The college's own report is a year newer.
| Entering class | Acceptance rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 28.6% | Common Data Set 2025–26 |
| Fall 2024 | 26.7% | College Scorecard (IPEDS 2024–25) |
Admission got slightly easier, by 1.8 percentage points.
Acceptance rate by residency
UC San Diego reports applicants and admits separately for California residents, out-of-state students and international students.
| California residents | 24.7% | |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-state | 39.7% | |
| International | 30.9% |
Computed from the residency breakdown in section C1 of the Common Data Set 2025–26.
Early decision and early action
UC San Diego offers neither early decision nor early action. All applications are due November 30.
SAT and ACT scores
Test scores are not considered, even if you send them.
Because scores play no part in admission, UC San Diego does not report SAT or ACT ranges for its entering class.
High school GPA
The average high school GPA of enrolled first-years was 3.88. 85% had a 3.75 or higher.
| 4.0 | 31.0% | |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75-3.99 | 54.0% | |
| 3.50-3.74 | 13.0% | |
| 3.25-3.49 | 2.0% | |
| 3.00-3.24 | 0.0% | |
| Below 3.00 | 0.0% |
Share of enrolled first-years in each GPA range, fall 2025. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26, sections C11–C12.
Check your chances
Enter your GPA and test scores to see whether UCSD is a reach, a target or a likely school for you.
Check my chances at UCSDWaitlist
36,709 applicants were offered a place on the waitlist, 25,411 accepted it and 5,284 were admitted from it (20.8% of those who stayed on the list).
Source: Common Data Set 2025–26, section C2.
Application fee and cost
Application fee: $80, or $95 for international applicants (can be waived for financial need).
Tuition and fees for 2025–26 are $17,337 for California residents and $54,939 for out-of-state students; the average net price after grants was $14,794 in 2024–25. See UCSD's full cost and net price by family income.
Common questions
What is the UCSD acceptance rate?
28.6% for students entering in fall 2025. The college admitted 39,054 of 136,750 first-year applicants, according to its Common Data Set 2025–26. The federal figure for fall 2024 was 26.7%.
Is UCSD test-optional?
No. UC San Diego does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission, even if you send them.
What GPA do you need for UCSD?
There is no published minimum. The average high school GPA of enrolled first-years in fall 2025 was 3.88, and 85% had a GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Sources
- UC San Diego, Common Data Set 2025–26 (from the college's institutional research office), checked October 30, 2026.
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, release of October 15, 2026.
Each figure was copied from the source document and checked by hand. If you spot an error, tell us and we'll correct it. Read how we check the data.