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Education Data profile

UC San Diego Cost of Attendance: Tuition, Fees & Net Price

  • Official data · College Scorecard, checked Oct 13, 2026
Updated  1 source

Total cost of attendance per year

$38,701

University of California, San Diego cost breakdown

Item Per year
Tuition and fees (in-state) $16,758
Tuition and fees (out-of-state) $50,958
Housing and food (on campus) $18,970
Books and supplies $1,286
Other expenses (on campus) $5,888
Total cost of attendance $38,701

The total uses in-state tuition. Housing and food off campus: $18,404 a year. Figures are the school’s published budget for one academic year, as reported to the U.S. Department of Education. Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education)

In-state vs. out-of-state tuition

As a public school, University of California, San Diego charges California residents $16,758 a year in tuition and fees. Students from other states pay $50,958, which is $34,200 more each year.

What students actually pay

Few students pay the full sticker price. At University of California, San Diego, the average net price of $12,470 is $26,231 less than the listed cost of attendance. The amount depends heavily on family income: about $7,525 a year for families earning under $30,000, and $28,785 for families earning more than $110,000.

Net price is what remains after grants and scholarships, before loans. Use the school’s net price calculator for an estimate based on your own finances.

Net price by family income

Family income Average net price
$0–$30,000 $7,525
$30,001–$48,000 $8,155
$48,001–$75,000 $9,942
$75,001–$110,000 $15,199
$110,001 and up $28,785

Average yearly cost after grants and scholarships for full-time, first-time undergraduates who received federal financial aid. In-state students only. Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education)

Debt, earnings and admissions

Measure Value
Median federal debt at graduation $15,500
Median earnings 10 years after enrolling $84,943
Graduation rate 87%
Admission rate 27%

Debt covers federal loans of students who completed. Earnings are for former students who received federal aid. The graduation rate counts first-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time. Source: College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education)

Frequently asked questions

How much is tuition at University of California, San Diego?

Tuition and fees are $16,758 a year for in-state students and $50,958 for out-of-state students.

How much does University of California, San Diego cost for four years?

At the current cost of attendance of $38,701 a year, four years would come to about $154,804 before financial aid. Actual totals are usually higher because schools raise prices most years.

What is the average net price at University of California, San Diego?

Students who receive federal aid pay an average of $12,470 a year after grants and scholarships.