College Factual  by our College Data Analytics Team
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Can You Afford University of California - San Diego?

Concerned about paying for college? Take a look at UCSD’s financial aid options, including grants, scholarships, and student loans, then calculate the net price based on your income level to determine if you can afford to attend this school.

Attendance Costs in 2020 - 2021 Varied Between $12,157 & $65,065

Worried about paying the full cost of $65,065 to attend University of California - San Diego? That number can be deceiving, as the net amount most students will pay varies significantly.

For students living in California, the university offers a discount of 67.0% off tuition and fees. Also, 56.0% of freshmen receive some form of financial aid, with the average amount totaling $18,237. Students from low-income families receive an average of $23,154 in aid during their first year.

Cost for Residents of California (no aid)

Tuition and fees$14,648
+ Room and board$15,336
+ Other expenses$5,327
Total cost$35,311
Affordability Score (30 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Residents of California (with average aid)

Total cost$35,311
- Grants and scholarships$18,237
Net price$17,074
Affordability Score (57 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Residents of California

Total cost$35,311
- Grants and scholarships$23,154
Net price$12,157
Affordability Score (71 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Cost for Non-Residents (no aid)

Tuition and fees$44,402
+ Room and board$15,336
+ Other expenses$5,327
Total cost$65,065
Affordability Score (6 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Net Price for Non-Residents (with average aid)

Total cost$65,065
- Grants and scholarships$18,237
Net price$46,828
Affordability Score (1 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Average Net Price for Low Income Non-Resident Undergraduates

Total cost$65,065
- Grants and scholarships$23,154
Net price$41,911
Affordability Score (1 out of 100)
more expensive
less expensive

Learn more about tuition and fees, room, board and other expenses, and financial aid options at UCSD.

Projected Costs Between $50,215 and $389,309 For a Four Year Degree. Between $24,877 and $190,229 For a Two Year Degree.

It can be a bit scary to look at the total projected cost of a college education over the course of a multi-year degree, however, doing so will help you better understand the financial commitment you are making.

The overall cost for on-campus, in-state students to attend University of California - San Diego in 2020 - 2021 was $35,311. To calculate future costs, we looked at the prior five years of data and determined that this cost increased an average of 2.5% each year.

If this trend continues, we expect the full cost for incoming freshmen to be $37,070 during their first year. By their senior year, that cost will be approximately $39,873, for a bachelor degree candidate ($37,982 for an associate degree candidate) for a total of $153,840 over the course of four years ($75,051 over the course of two years). These numbers do not take into consideration financial aid, which reduces this overall cost by varying amounts per student.

The cost for out-of-state students is more, with an overall expected four-year cost of $281,911 based on a yearly growth rate of 2.3%. The expected two-year cost is $137,751.

Remember, the full costs quoted above are not what most students will pay, and the net price varies quite a bit based on individual circumstances.

Average Net Price at University of California - San Diego

Cost With Interest for Residents of California

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*6.0%2.5%
Freshman year$12,382$19,195$37,070
Senior year$12,496$20,353$37,982
Total 2-year net price$24,877$39,548$75,051
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$9,477$15,066$28,592
Total monthly payment$286$455$864
Total amount paid$34,355$54,614$103,643
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*6.0%2.5%
Freshman year$12,382$19,195$37,070
Senior year$12,727$22,881$39,873
Total 4-year net price$50,215$84,009$153,840
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$19,130$32,004$58,608
Total monthly payment$578$967$1,770
Total amount paid$69,344$116,013$212,448

Cost With Interest for Out-Of-State Residents

The tables below outlines how the overall degree net cost can vary depending on your situation. This table also highlights the impact student loans can have on the overall cost of college.

Projected 2-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*3.2%2.3%
Freshman year$44,992$49,892$68,092
Senior year$46,616$51,499$69,659
Total 2-year net price$91,607$101,391$137,751
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$34,899$38,626$52,478
Total monthly payment$1,054$1,167$1,585
Total amount paid$126,506$140,017$190,229
Projected 4-Year Net CostsLow Income w/ Aidw/ Average AidNo Aid
Annual growth rate*3.2%2.3%
Freshman year$44,992$49,892$68,092
Senior year$50,042$54,869$72,900
Total 4-year net price$189,948$209,417$281,911
10-year loan interest @ 6.8%$72,363$79,780$107,398
Total monthly payment$2,186$2,410$3,244
Total amount paid$262,311$289,197$389,309

Visit net price and financial aid to learn more about the total cost of attending University of California - San Diego.

Further Questions to Consider

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