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Summary
University of California--San Diego is a public institution that was founded in 1960. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,046, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 1,976 acres. It utilizes a quarter-based academic calendar. University of California--San Diego's ranking in the 2013 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 38. Its in-state tuition and fees are $12,128 (2011-12); out-of-state tuition and fees are $35,006 (2011-12).
University of California—San Diego lies alongside the Pacific Ocean in the La Jolla community of San Diego. The UCSD Tritons compete in 23 NCAA Division II sports, mainly in the California Collegiate Athletic Association. The school has more than 400 student clubs and organizations, and many students are active in Greek life on campus. All freshmen are guaranteed on-campus housing but are not required to live on campus. The campus has an aquarium, public museum, and the Large High Performance Outdoor Shake Table, which is one of the largest facilities in the country that tests structures’ ability to withstand simulated earthquakes.
UCSD includes six undergraduate colleges and six graduate and professional schools. Its School of Medicine and Jacobs School of Engineering are highly ranked. UCSD is designated as a university with very high research activity by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. An annual event unique to UCSD is the Sun God Festival, which began in 1983, featuring daylong concerts by popular musicians, carnival activities, vendors, and student booths. UCSD is also known for its International House, wherein approximately 260 students from more than 30 countries live and learn together as a community. Notable UCSD alumni include Guy Tribble and Bill Atkinson, who created the first Apple Macintosh computer, and Mike Judge, a writer/director/producer who createdthe film Office Space and the TV series King of the Hill.
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Nestled along the Pacific Ocean on 1,200 acres of magnificent coastal woodland, the University of California, San Diego is a powerful magnet for those seeking scholarly pursuits at the frontiers of education and research. In just four decades, this young campus has rapidly risen in status to become one of the top ranked research universities in the nation. UCSD, with its six unique undergraduate colleges, each offering personalized student opportunities and services and distinct educational philosophies, has become one of the most popular campuses in the nation, receiving more than 45,000 freshman applications each year. |
General Information
| School type | public |
| Year founded | 1960 |
| Religious affiliation | N/A |
| Academic calendar | quarter |
| Setting | urban |
| 2011 Endowment | $714,425,000 |
Applying
When applying to University of California--San Diego, it's important to note the application deadline is November 30. Scores for either the ACT or SAT test are due January 15. The application fee at University of California--San Diego is $60. It is most selective, with an acceptance rate of 35.5 percent.
For more information about the tests, essays, interviews, and admissions process, visit the Applying to College knowledge center.
| Selectivity | most selective |
| Fall 2011 acceptance rate | 35.5% |
| Application deadline | November 30 |
| SAT/ACT scores must be received by | January 15 |
Academic Life
The student-faculty ratio at University of California--San Diego is 19:1, and the school has 37.3 percent of its classes with fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at University of California--San Diego include: Biology, General; Economics; Political Science and Government, General; Psychology, General; and Communication and Media Studies. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 95.0 percent.
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| Student-faculty ratio | 19:1 | ||||||||||
| 4-year graduation rate | 56% | ||||||||||
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Student Life
University of California--San Diego has a total undergraduate enrollment of 23,046, with a gender distribution of 49.5 percent male students and 50.5 percent female students. At this school, 34.0 percent of the students live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing and 66.0 percent of students live off campus. University of California--San Diego is part of the NCAA II athletic conference.
See what students are saying about life at University of California--San Diego.
| Total enrollment | 28,593 |
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| Collegiate athletic association | NCAA II |
Campus Info & Services
University of California--San Diego offers a number of student services including nonremedial tutoring, women's center, placement service, day care, health service, and health insurance. University of California--San Diego also offers campus safety and security services like 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late night transport/escort service, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighted pathways/sidewalks, student patrols, and controlled dormitory access (key, security card, etc). Of the students at University of California--San Diego, 54 percent have cars on campus. Alcohol is permitted for students of legal age at University of California--San Diego.
| Students who have cars on campus | 54% |
| Health insurance offered | Yes |
| Students required to own/lease a computer | No |
More About Campus Info & Services
Paying for School
At University of California--San Diego, 66.0 percent of full-time undergraduates receive some kind of need-based financial aid and the average need-based scholarship or grant award is $16,475.
Paying for college doesn't have to be difficult or devastating. Go to the Paying for College knowledge center to get advice on raising cash and reducing costs.
| In-state tuition and fees | $12,128 (2011-12) |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $35,006 (2011-12) |
| Room and board | $11,684 (2011-12) |
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* Overview details based on 2011 data