2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More

$15,632

Net Price

34%

Admitted

19%

Enrolled

89%

Graduation Rate

19/1

Student / Faculty

University Detail

University of California-San Diego

is a public, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 41,885. In 2021, there were 665 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #10 in California and ranks #72 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.

Psychology Degrees Offered

Bachelor, Master, Doctor

Psychology Graduates

665

Total Enrollment

41,885

Type

Public, Four or more years

Institution Accreditation

WASC Senior College and University Commission

Ranking for University of California-San Diego

Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.

#10

California Rank

Combining ranking factors for 82 schools that offer psychology degrees in California, University of California-San Diego ranks #10.

#72

U.S. Rank

Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., University of California-San Diego ranks #72.

Psychology Programs Offered

For psychology degrees, University of California-San Diego offers Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Developmental Psychology, General Psychology, Medical Psychology, Research Psychology and Social Psychology at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers Experimental Psychology and Research Psychology. At the doctorate level Clinical Psychology, Counseling and Applied Psychology, Experimental Psychology and Research Psychology are offered.

In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.

Psychology Graduates in 2021BSMAPhD
Clinical Psychology1178
Cognitive Psychology21
Counseling and Applied Psychology1518
Developmental Psychology28
Experimental Psychology43
General Psychology187
Medical Psychology34
Research Psychology7343
Social Psychology24
Total Graduates635822
US Department of Education

Psychology Program Accreditation(s)

  • Professional Psychology (IPSY) – Predoctoral internship programs

Admission, Enrollment, Graduation

In the fall of 2021, 118,386 students applied to the University of California-San Diego. The university admitted 34% and 19% of those who were admitted also enrolled.

By comparison, the average number of applicants for California universities is 21,883. On average, all California institutions admit 64% and 22% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.

The percentage of University of California-San Diego students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 95%. Compared to all California four or more years colleges, the percentage is 72%.

The overall graduation rate for University of California-San Diego is 89%, compared to 66% for all California universities.

  • Credits Accepted: Advanced placement (AP) credits

Compare UCSD to California Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees

Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of University of California-San Diego to the average of all California four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.

Why it Matters

Compare Admission and Enrollment

Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.

UCSD

118,386

Applicants

34%

Percent Admitted

19%

Percent Enrolled

95%

1st Time Student Retention Rate

89%

Graduation Rate

CA Colleges

21,883

Applicants

64%

Percent Admitted

22%

Percent Enrolled

72%

1st Time Student Retention Rate

66%

Graduation Rate

Student & Faculty Information

In the fall of 2021, there were 4,390 or 86% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 730 or 14% part-time faculty members employed at University of California-San Diego. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 2,843 or 56%.

Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.

Why it Matters

Compare Faculty Numbers

Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.

UCSD

19 / 1

Student Faculty Ratio

86%

Percent Full-Time

14%

Percent Part-Time

56%

Percent Full-Time Instructional

CA Colleges

19 / 1

Student Faculty Ratio

40%

Percent Full-Time

60%

Percent Part-Time

39%

Percent Full-Time Instructional

Tuition and Student Expenses

For the 2021-2022 academic year at University of California-San Diego the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $11,442, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,152.

For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $11,442 and the average cost for graduate fees is $2,122.

In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend University of California-San Diego in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.

Expenses for University of California-San Diego2021-2022
On Campus Room & Board$16,145
On-Campus Living Expenses$4,163
Total Living Expenses$20,308
Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate$11,442
Books and Supplies, Undergraduate$1,152
Total Undergraduate Expenses$32,902
In-State, Graduate Tuition$11,442
In-State, Graduate Fees$2,122
Total Graduate Expenses$13,564
US Department of Education

Net Price

Average Net Price

The average net price to attend University of California-San Diego is $15,632. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.

In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.

Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.

Net Price by Family Income

Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend University of California-San Diego presented by family income bracket.

Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.

Average Net Price by Income2020-20212021-2022
$0 – $30,000$9,823$7,954
$30,001 – $48,000$11,176$10,192
$48,001 – $75,000$14,310$13,744
$75,001 – $110,000$20,906$20,125
$110,001 and more$29,132$28,952
US Department of Education

Compare University of California-San Diego to all California universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.

For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.

Why it Matters

Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price

Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.

UCSD

$32,902

Cost to Attend

$19,225

Average Financial Aid

54%

Percent Receiving Aid

$15,632

Net Price

CA Colleges

$33,186

Cost to Attend

$9,615

Average Financial Aid

80%

Percent Receiving Aid

$14,526

Average Net Price

Financial Aid

The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 3,470 or 54%.

The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 18,130 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $19,225.

All Undergraduate Students

Type of Aid# Receiving AidAverage Aid Received
Grant or Scholarship Aid18,130$19,225
Pell Grants10,628$5,505
Federal Student Loans7,833$5,422
US Department of Education

Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the University of California-San Diego to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.

We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.

Why it Matters

Compare Financial Aid

Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.

UCSD

18,130

Grant or Scholarship Aid

50%

Grants or Scholarships

10,628

Number of Pell Grants

29%

Pell Grants

7,833

Federal Student Loans

21%

Federal Student Loans

CA Colleges

6,293

Grant or Scholarship Aid

60%

Grants or Scholarships

3,062

Number of Pell Grants

29%

Pell Grants

1,114

Federal Student Loans

11%

Federal Student Loans

See Additional Psychology Schools for California.

psychology Source Data from

See all data sources including 1,934 Psychology School Programs