

UC San Diego: Rankings, Campus, Admissions
1200 acre campus
- Estd. 1960
University of California San Diego Ranking 2026
The University of California San Diego ranks among the top 20 universities in the United States in 2027, as part of the latest Shiksha Popularity Rankings. UC San Diego Ranking in the US is #19. At the global level, UC San Diego ranks among the top 50 universities in the world. The University of California, San Diego World Ranking 2027 is #42.
| University of California - San Diego Campus Course Name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2027 (World) | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2027 (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| LLM | #185 | #86 |
| MA | #44 | #18 |
| MFA | #50 | #20 |
| MArch | #145 | #42 |
| Others PG | #33 | #16 |
| MBA | #181 | #39 |
| MS | #28 | #14 |
| BS | - | #13 |
By Other Ranking Bodies
QS, US News, and THE rank UC San Diego as follows in their latest rankings:
| Platform | University of Calfornia San Diego Ranking |
|---|---|
| University of Calfornia San Diego QS Ranking 2027 | #81 in the world |
|
US News and Global Universities 2026/27 |
#29 in the US |
| THE World University Rankings 2026 | #47 in the world |
#40
#19
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
University of California San Diego ranks among the top 100 universities in the world in 2027. THE and QS rank UC San Diego as follows in their latest rankings:
Ranking Authorities | Rank |
|---|---|
QS Rankings 2027 | #81 in QS World University Rankings |
Times Higher Education 2026 | #47 in World University Rankings |
The University of California San Diego ranking is among the top 100 universities in the world as per a top-ranking publisher in 2027.
Look at the UCSD Rankings given below -
- In the QS rankings, this university ranks at #81 in 2027 and #66 in 2026.
- As per Times Higher Education rankings 2026, this university ranks at #47 position.
UC San Diego QS Ranking 2027 is #81 in the world. The university has maintained its standing among top 100 universities in the world in recent years. Year-on-Year UC San Diego Ranking trends are given below:
| Year | 2027 | 2026 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC San Diego QS Ranking | #81 | #66 | #72 |
University of California San Diego Programs and Fees for Indian Students 2026
The University of California, San Diego offers 200+ graduate and undergraduate degree programs to Indian students in fields like Computer Science, Economics, Biology, Cognitive Science, and Psychology, among other areas. UC San Diego Master's programs can be completed within 1 to 2 years, while Bachelor's degrees take 4 years.
University of California San Diego Popular Programs
Mentioned below are some of the best UC San Diego programs for Indian students to consider:
- MS in Business Analytics
- UC San Diego MBA
- MS in Data Science
- MS in Computer Engineering
University of California San Diego Fees for Indian Students 2027
The average University of California San Diego tuition fees for Indian students enrolled in PG courses are USD 22,878 (INR 21.85 Lakhs). Students planning to enroll in UG courses can expect an average tuition fee of around USD 21,519 (INR 20.55 Lakhs).
UC San Diego Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
Average annual living expenses for Indian students at UC San Diego are USD 31,056 (INR 29.7 Lakhs) for graduate students and USD 8,790 (INR 8.4 Lakhs) for undergrad students.
| UC San Diego Graduate Cost of Attendance | UC San Diego Undergraduate Cost of Attendance |
Source: ucsd.edu
1 USD = INR 95.56
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
According to the statistics of UCSD, the top 5 majors at the UG level are Biology, Psychology, Mathematics, Economics, and Cognitive Science. According to the student population, the most popular UG study field is Social Sciences. Some of the popular study fields are given below-
- Engineering
- Biology
- Arts and Humanities
- Physical Sciences
Yes, UC San Diego MS-BA course is STEM-designated. This course features an AI-assisted curriculum that incorporates Large Language Models (LLMs) in every face of the Business Analytics process, from problem definition, to coding, data cleaning, analysis, and presentation. The duration of this course is 11-months.
The University of California San Diego programs features more than 200 programs at UG and PG levels for Indian students. The top programs opted by University of California San Diego alumni are listed below-
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Computational Science
- Psychology
- Biology
The University of California San Diego is among the top choice of Indian students to pursue higher education in the USA. UC San Diego offers MBA programme for the duration of 2 years. University of California San Diego MBA tuition fees is USD 63,501 (INR 60.7 Lakhs).
Source: ucsd.edu
University of California San Diego Admission 2026
For University of California San Diego admissions, Indian students must meet all the admission requirements. Indian students can apply for both UG and PG programs through UCSD Portal. University of California San Diego application fee for Indian students is listed below-
|
Particulars |
Application Fee |
|---|---|
|
UG |
USD 95 (INR 9.1 K) |
|
PG |
USD 155 (INR 14.8 K) |
University of California San Diego Application Deadline
University of California San Diego application deadline for Indian students are given below:
|
Application Type |
Deadline |
|---|---|
| UG | Nov 30, 2026 |
| PG |
Vary By Program |
University of California San Diego Eligibility of Indian students
- For UG and PG program apply via UCSD Portal
- Complete the application form with all relevant documents
- Prepare your documents
- Submit test scores
- Pay the application fee
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
- Complete online application
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- A GPA of 3.4 on a scale of 4.0
- Resume/CV
- Copy of passport
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Personal Statement
Postgraduate Admission Requirements
- UG degree from an approved university
- Complete application form
- Official academic transcripts
- Photocopy of passport
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Resume/CV
- SOP
- Writing Sample
- Financial Proof
- Application fees :USD 125 - 200
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
Indian students interested in the University of California, San Diego admission need to pay the following application fee:
Particulars | Application Fee |
|---|---|
UG | USD 95 (INR 9.1 K) |
PG | USD 155 (INR 14.8 K) |
1 USD = INR 95.56
For UG admissions, UC San Diego releases admission decisions almost 4 months after the application deadline. In the case of PG programs, the admission decisions releasing process varies by department. The applications are released throughout the year. The application status page will be updated as soon as the decisions are released.
International students who wish to study at the University of California San Diego must have at least score of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0. for graduate admission. For undergraduate admission, students must have must earn a GPA of 3.4 (or better) with no grade lower than a "C." The UCSD GPA requirements vary by programme and applicants have to meet it to get admission to the university.
UC San DiegoUniversity of California San Diego Scholarships for Indian Students
Indian students at UC San Diego are not eligible for federal or state scholarships. However, students can explore external scholarships like the Fulbright Foreign Student Program that offers 100% tuition fee coverage.
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
Indian students are generally not eligible for UC San Diego scholarships. Most scholarships are only available to US citizens, permanent residents, or AB540 students.
Indian students can explore external scholarships to study in the US, instead.
UC San Diego Popular Courses
UC San DiegoStudents Ratings & Reviews
- 0% students never faced discrimination in this university
University of California San Diego Placements
UCSD grads work for top sectors such as Engineering, Business Development, Education, Research, Operations, etc. University of California San Diego placement rate attracts international students the most. University of California San Diego graduates are constantly in high demand worldwide.
University of California San Diego Placement Rate
As per UCSD MBA placement report 2024, University of California San Diego MBA placement rate stands at 72%, and the graduates are employed within 3 months of graduation. University of California San Diego graduates work for leading firms such as AGS, Boston Consulting Group, Kearney Japan, YPOG, EY-Parthenon, etc. The average salary of University of California San Diego MBA graduate is listed below-
|
Particulars |
Salary |
|---|---|
|
Average Salary (Postgrad) |
USD 116,430/year |
ROI after Education at University of California San Diego
Return on Investment (ROI) for a university is determined by the salary a graduate can expect to earn after graduation, compared to all the costs associated with attending college, such as tuition, living expenses, and foregone earnings. Given below are the details of the fees (investment) and salary (return) at University of California San Diego-
|
Course |
Annual Fee (Investment) |
Salary (ROI) |
|---|---|---|
|
MBA |
INR 31 L - 71 L |
USD 116,430 |
|
UG |
INR 29.39 L - 48.62 L |
USD 71,145 |
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Some of the industries where UC San Diego MBA alumni work are:
Employment by Industry | |
|---|---|
Industry | % |
Consulting | 22.2% |
Healthcare | 22.2% |
Financial Services | 16.7% |
Technology | 11.1% |
Non-Profit / Education | 11.1% |
UC San Diego MBA grads of the Class of 2024 made an average salary of USD 116,430 (INR 1.12 Cr). A total of 72% received offers within 3 months of graduation. Consulting, Healthcare, Technology, Financial Services are some of the top industries UC San Diego grads are employed in.
Source: ucsd.edu
UCSD offers various career services such as dedicated career coaches, customized workshops and programs, career website with curates resources and content, access to Rady alumni and employers. The top employers of UC San Diego MBA Class of 2024 graduates were:
- Analog Devices
- Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Japan
- AGS
- Morgan Stanley
- Kearney (Japan)
- Engage Stack LLC
- YPOG
- EY-Parthenon
The placement rate of UCSD graduates was 72% (within 3 months of graduation). Top industries where the graduates were employed include Consulting, Financial Services, Healthcare, Technology, Manufacturing, Non-Profit / Education, etc.
UC San DiegoStudent profile
Others
40%
Asian
33%
Hispanic
23%
Black
1%
In state
81%
Foreign
11%
Out of state
7%
24 and under
95%
25 and over
4%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
UC San DiegoStudying in USA
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University of California San Diego FAQs
The admission requirements for the UCSD Master of Finance program are given below:
- An undergraduate degree in Finance / Economics / Computer Science / Engineering / Mathematics / Physics or Statistics is required. Other majors are also considered
- Post-university work, research experience or internships in a Quantitative discipline is also considered
- An official GMAT / GRE score
- Application materials like academic transcripts, two recommendations, statement of purpose, resume or CV, etc.
Yes, the GRE General Test is required for admission to UC San Diego MS in Electrical and Computer Engineering. A bachelor's or MS degree in Physical Sciences, Engineering, or Mathematics from an accredited university or college is required. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Here are the other application requirements:
- TOEFL with a score of 85 on iBT / IELTS with a score of 7
- Statement of Purpose
- 3 Letters of Recommendation
- Official transcripts
- Resume / CV
- Application fee
To take admission to UCSD MS in Electrical & Computer Engineering course, the applicants are required to have a BS/MS degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, or Mathematics from an accredited university. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. Other admission requirements are given below:
- GRE test, not required (recommended)
- English language proficiency test (TOEFL / IELTS / PTE)
- Statement of Purpose
- Three Letters of Recommendation
- Scanned unofficial transcripts
- Resume / CV
UC San Diego is a highly competitive university. It is consistently ranked as one of the top public universities in the US. When it comes to admission, the University of California San Diego acceptance rate is between 25% - 27%. The acceptance rate justifies that it is a fairly competitive university to get into. A large number of highly qualified students apply to this university, and the university follows a holistic admission process to grant admission. In short, every application, including the personal insight questions is thoroughly reviewed. The factors considered for granting admission are:
- Academic performance
- Performance in standardized tests
- Personal qualities
- Creative, Intellectual, Social or Professional Achievement
- Handling of challenges, Hardships, Unusual circumstances
Yes, UC San Diego is a Tier 1 university. This university has received a status of R1: Very High Research Activity. It is basically a leader in research and USD 1.73 billion sponsored research funding was there for FY24. Also, this university was ranked at 9th position in the world for the most highly cited / most influential researchers, according to Clarivate. Additionally, the university's research programme generated 400 new invention disclosures and over 90 new U.S. patents.
To get into the University of California San Diego from India, the applicants are required to have passed high school. For the first-year applicants, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. The acceptance rate for Fall 2024 is 25%. This acceptance rate justifies that the university is very selective at the time of admission. Indian applicants at the UG level must have passed Class 10 and 12 board / state examinations. At the graduate level, the applicants should hold a Bachelor's degree or equivalent. Additionally, at the PG level, standardized test scores may also be required. Also, submit an English language proficiency score.
UC San Diego
Student Forum
Answered 3 months ago
Yes, the University of California, San Diego is a top 20 university for Indian students. As per the Shanghai Rankings 2025, UCSD ranks #20 globally and it is #4 among the top US public universities.
It is also known as a public Ivy and known for subjects like Biological Sciences and Computer Science
P
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 months ago
The University of California San Diego is among the top choice of Indian students to pursue higher education in the USA. UC San Diego offers programs at both UG and PG levels for its Indian students. The University of California San Diego annual tuition fee for Indian students is listed below-
| Course level | Annual Tuition Fee in INR |
|---|---|
| UG | INR 31.27 L - 51.72 L |
| PG | INR 24.01 L - 75.73 L |
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
Yes, UC San Diego is ranked in the year 2026 as per the top ranking bodies like the QS and Times Higher Education.
According to QS world rankings, UC San Diego has been ranked at #66 in 2026 and this rank has improved from what it was in the year 2025.
Under the same, the given courses are also ran
L
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
In the year 2025, the US News has ranked UC San Diego under many parameters.
Among the 'National University' Rankings 2026, University of California San Diego is ranked #29, which is also consistent with what it was last year.
The top 50 courses are also ranked under the same -
- Engineering (#4)
- UG Bu
K
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
The popular courses at UC San Diego are mostly STEM-designated like Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Psychology, Economics and Biology. The US News ranks the Bioengineering courses at #4 and the other popular UC San Diego are given below -
- Computer Science (#12)
- Computer Engineering (#13)
- Electric
M
Contributor-Level 10
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UC San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive,
La Jolla, CA 92093-0021
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San Diego ( California)





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