University of California, San Diego
(UC San Diego)
UC San Diego is a top-ranked public research university in La Jolla, California, known for its strengths in the sciences, engineering, and biomedical research. Its unique residential college system fosters close-knit communities within a large university, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography is one of the oldest and most prestigious marine research centers in the world.
Mascot: Triton
Notable Alumni
Benicio del Toro (Academy Award-winning actor)•Mike Judge (creator of Beavis and Butt-Head)•Roger Tsien (Nobel Prize-winning chemist)
At a Glance
Cost
Published sticker prices for 2025-2026. Actual cost after aid varies.
Top Programs & National Ranking
Approximate national ranking based on departmental rankings, research output, and program reputation.
Highlights
Safety
UC San Diego Police patrol 24/7 with community service officer escorts from sunset to sunrise and emergency blue-light phones. Campus crime rates are low.
La Jolla is one of the wealthiest and safest communities in San Diego. The campus's relatively isolated coastal location provides a natural buffer from urban crime.
Based on Clery Act data, student surveys, and local crime statistics.
Location
Similar Colleges
Find the right college for you
Explore 152 colleges by degree, filter by acceptance rate, SAT range, and more.
Explore Colleges