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.
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Net prices are averages and may vary. Based on federal data for first-time, full-time students receiving aid.
| Cost Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Total Cost of Attendance (Sticker Price) | $38,701 |
| Tuition and Fees | $50,958 |
| Room and Board | $18,970 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,286 |
| Average Financial Aid (Grants and Scholarships) | -$26,231 |
| Average Net Price (What Families Pay) | $12,470 |
| Family Income | Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0–30k | $7,525 |
| $30–48k | $8,155 |
| $48–75k | $9,942 |
| $75–110k | $15,199 |
| $110k+ | $28,785 |
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 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 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 .
How much students borrow and whether debt is manageable given outcomes.
Debt-to-earnings data not available.
How cost compares to graduate earnings and value added.
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 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.
