by our College Data Analytics TeamLook up current in-state and out-of-state tuition and fees at University of California-San Diego, plus how they stack up against other schools and where they may be headed.
In the most recent reported year, in-state undergraduate tuition and fees at University of California-San Diego stood at $16,758 each year. Out-of-state undergraduates paid $50,958. In-state students receive a meaningful discount here.
The fees portion of those totals totaled $3,612 in-state and $3,612 out-of-state; the balance is base tuition.
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $13,146 | $47,346 |
| Fees | $3,612 | $3,612 |
| Total | $16,758 | $50,958 |
This tuition and fees figure covers one year of academic instruction and does not include room and board.
Keep in mind that many students qualify for financial aid and scholarships that bring down the real cost they pay. The numbers on this page are sticker price.
What will University of California-San Diego charge part-time students? Check the Cost Per Credit Hour page for the breakdown.
To see where that lands, here is how University of California-San Diego costs compare against other schools. Each rating is relative to the average for that group of schools.
| Nationwide | In CA | Similar Colleges | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State Tuition & Fees | Expensive | Expensive | Expensive |
| In-State Tuition & Fees | Average | Average | Expensive |
Against the nationwide average, University of California-San Diego sits above the national average.
Bear in mind that aid packages often lower the real cost well below these published figures. Visit the University of California-San Diego Financial Aid page to learn more.
The table below shows how tuition at University of California-San Diego has tracked across the last few reported years.
| Year | In-State Tuition | Out-of-State Tuition |
|---|---|---|
| Three Years Ago | $11,442 | $41,196 |
| Two Years Ago | $11,928 | $42,954 |
| One Year Ago | $12,522 | $45,096 |
| Most Recent Year | $13,146 | $47,346 |
Below, the chart plots how tuition at UCSD has trended over the reported years.
In the latest reported year, out-of-state tuition climbed 5.0%. At the same pace next year, tuition + fees would be roughly $53,500 in the following year.
Annual tuition increases are the norm at most institutions, so plan for the cost in later years to exceed today’s posted rate.
Browse answers to frequently asked questions about college tuition and fees for more background.
In-state tuition and fees rose at an average annual pace of 4.46%, so in-state cost a year out lands around $17,506. For students from out of state, the yearly pace was 4.66%, putting next year’s out-of-state cost near $53,331.
Holding that rate, here is how tuition and fees could track over the next five years:
| Academic Year | In-State Tuition & Fees | Out-of-State Tuition & Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Next Year | $17,506 | $53,331 |
| In 2 Years | $18,287 | $55,814 |
| In 3 Years | $19,103 | $58,413 |
| In 4 Years | $19,955 | $61,133 |
| In 5 Years | $20,845 | $63,980 |
Budgeting for four years rather than one is the safer way to plan — four years of out-of-state cost at this pace comes to around $228,691, or close to $74,851 for in-state students.
Tuition is only one piece of the cost picture — scholarships and aid frequently cut what families actually pay.
To learn about financial aid at University of California-San Diego, go to the University of California-San Diego Financial Aid page.
