For mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks University of California-San Diego #1 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions — in the 100th percentile for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median $83,130 four years after enrollment, placing University of California-San Diego in the 87.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Computer Science #20 nationally for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions — a program-level anchor that reflects the institution's strength in high-demand, high-earning fields. Students at University of California-San Diego earn about $24,815 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing the university in the 97.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates also earn median earnings of $83,130 four years after enrollment, and the university's highest-return program — Computer Science, ranked #20 nationally — reflects the depth of career-ready strength across its academic portfolio.
Azimuth ranks University of California-San Diego #1 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A public university in La Jolla, CA, University of California-San Diego enrolls roughly 34,948 undergraduates. Retention is 94.0% and the six-year graduation rate is 86.1%, reflecting strong degree completion relative to peers nationally. The composite is driven by return on investment. Azimuth ranks University of California-San Diego #105 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions, in the 93.0 percentile. Graduates earn median earnings four years after enrollment of $83,130, and earn about $24,815 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of California-San Diego in the 97.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Biological Sciences anchors the largest share of degree output, but strong earnings extend across STEM and quantitative fields that feed into CA's deep technology and biotech labor markets. Mobility sits in the 100th percentile among nonprofit four-year institutions, supported by outcomes for low-income graduates that remain well above national norms. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite — University of California-San Diego admits about 26.7% of applicants, and 34.2% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, with 39.6% identifying as first-generation. Affordability sits in the 90.4 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions, reflecting a cost structure shaped by University of California systemwide tuition and the availability of need-based aid for qualifying families.
University of California-San Diego's published cost of attendance is $38,701, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $7,525 per year in net price, middle-income families pay around $9,942, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,785. Azimuth ranks University of California-San Diego #137 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. As a public university, UC San Diego benefits from state-subsidized tuition that keeps net prices lower than many comparable private research institutions, particularly for California residents. Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for qualifying students, and the university participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and California's Cal Grant program provides additional state-funded support for eligible residents. The gap between sticker price and net price can be substantial for lower-income families — see the net price illusion for how published costs and actual costs diverge. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $15,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,257; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $83,130, median federal debt of $15,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $175 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
University of California-San Diego is a strong fit for students drawn to the biological sciences, engineering, and quantitative fields who want a large public research university in CA with a track record of delivering strong post-graduation earnings. Graduates earn in the 87.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, and University of California-San Diego sits in the 97.7 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions — graduates earn about $24,815 more than similar students at comparable institutions, a signal that the institution adds measurable financial value relative to comparable schools. The access picture is more selective than typical public universities — University of California-San Diego admits about 26.7% of applicants — but for students who enroll, 34.2% receive Pell Grants and 39.6% are first-generation, and University of California-San Diego sits in the 93.1 percentile for low-income graduate earnings among nonprofit four-year institutions on a historical 10-year Scorecard measure, indicating that Pell-eligible students who complete a degree here see strong long-run returns. Fit depends on two realistic filters: the program portfolio is concentrated in Biological Sciences and adjacent STEM fields, so students whose interests align with those areas will find the strongest outcomes, while students seeking applied-professional or career-technical programs may find a narrower fit; and higher-income families should expect a net price around $28,785, with median borrowing near $15,500 for those who take on federal loans.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of California-San Diego hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of California-San Diego's published cost of attendance is $38,701, but need-based aid reshapes that figure meaningfully across income levels. Low-income families pay approximately $7,525 per year in net price, middle-income families pay around $9,942, and higher-income families pay approximately $28,785.
Azimuth ranks University of California-San Diego #137 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
As a public university, UC San Diego benefits from state-subsidized tuition that keeps net prices lower than many comparable private research institutions, particularly for California residents. Need-based aid covers a meaningful share of cost for qualifying students, and the university participates in federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
Families apply using the FAFSA, and California's Cal Grant program provides additional state-funded support for eligible residents. The gap between sticker price and net price can be substantial for lower-income families — see the [net price illusion](/analysis/is-college-worth-it-part-1-the-net-price-illusion/) for how published costs and actual costs diverge.
Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $15,500, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $24,257; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $83,130, median federal debt of $15,500 projects to a monthly payment of about $175 under standard ten-year repayment.
For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of University of California-San Diego earn median earnings of $83,130 four years after enrollment, placing University of California-San Diego in the 87.3 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. That figure runs above the $65,228 median at comparable institutions (same control and size band).
Graduates earn about $24,815 more than similar students at comparable institutions, placing University of California-San Diego in the 97.7 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks University of California-San Diego #105 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions.
The degree mix at University of California-San Diego leans heavily toward the sciences: Biological Sciences is the dominant program family, with Social Sciences accounting for 12% of graduates, Engineering for 11%, and other STEM fields for 5%. Computer Science combines large cohort scale with strong earnings, making it a key contributor to the university's overall return profile.
Among the highest-earning programs, Azimuth ranks Cognitive Science #5 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning median earnings of $81,160 at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. Azimuth ranks Computer Science #20 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning median earnings of $159,487.
International/Globalization Studies and Economics round out the top earners, with Azimuth ranking them #1 and #48 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions respectively and graduates earning median earnings of $81,174 and $87,307 four years after enrollment. The university also offers an honors program, per program guidelines, signaling structured pathways for students pursuing graduate study or research-intensive careers.
Computer Science
591 graduates
Computer Engineering
167 graduates
Mathematics and Computer Science
269 graduates
Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology
71 graduates
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
218 graduates
University of California-San Diego's program mix is anchored in Biological Sciences, which accounts for 12% of degree output, followed by Engineering at 11% and other STEM fields at 5%. That biological-sciences concentration reflects the university's research identity — infrastructure like the Sanford Stem Cell Discovery Center, per the university's research page, underscores the depth of lab-science investment on campus.
Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences is the largest program by graduates (769 annually), and the breadth of the life-sciences pipeline feeds both direct-to-workforce and graduate-school-dependent career paths. Across 66 programs serving roughly 9,413 students annually, 46 meet Azimuth's [ranking threshold](/analysis/college-program-rankings-how-to-actually-evaluate-programs/).
The strongest earnings come from quantitative and applied fields. Azimuth ranks Computer Science #20 nationally for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions, with graduates earning $159,487 — the highest four-year figure at the institution.
Azimuth ranks Economics #48 nationally among nonprofit four-year institutions with graduates earning $87,307, and Azimuth ranks International/Globalization Studies #1 nationally with graduates earning $81,174. Among the most popular programs, Azimuth ranks Computer Science #20 nationally with 591 graduates earning $159,487, and Azimuth ranks International/Globalization Studies #1 nationally with 537 graduates earning $81,174.
Several of University of California-San Diego's largest programs are grad-school-dependent pathways — notably Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences and Cognitive Science — where four-year earnings undercount lifetime trajectory because a meaningful share of graduates continue to medical school, doctoral programs, or other advanced study. Computer Science, Economics, and Cognitive Science are high-mobility programs where graduates enter the national labor market directly and four-year earnings reflect workforce outcomes.
The [supply-demand map for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) provides context for how these fields align with national wage trends and employer demand. ```
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
University Of San Diego Higher acceptance rate (22.2 percentage points higher) and located 8 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 47% | $86,522 | Compare |
University Of Redlands Higher acceptance rate (56.4 percentage points higher) and located 82 miles away; similar graduate earnings | CA | 81% | $72,690 | Compare |
University Of California-Davis Higher acceptance rate (17.1 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CA | 42% | $80,838 | Compare |
Dominican University Of California Higher acceptance rate (71.1 percentage points higher); similar graduate earnings | CA | 96% | $84,713 | Compare |
University Of California-Irvine Same state (64 miles away) with nearly identical earnings; same institution type | CA | 26% | $80,735 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cuny Bernard M Baruch College Similar quality tier (#3 ranked) | NY | 48% | $75,971 | #3 | Compare |
University Of California-Berkeley Similar quality tier in West (#4 ranked) | CA | 11% | $92,446 | #4 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Austin Similar quality tier (#5 ranked) | TX | 27% | $75,121 | #5 | Compare |
University Of California-Irvine Similar quality tier in West (#6 ranked) | CA | 29% | $80,735 | #6 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Arlington Similar quality tier (#7 ranked) | TX | 80% | $63,199 | #7 | Compare |
