University of California, San Diego

In 2022, University of California, San Diego's tuition was $12,570 a year for in-state students and $42,324 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, college tuition goes up about 3% every year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students find the actual cost of college is a lot less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. And, student loans can make theprice of collegemore manageable until you're done with college.

Tuition for international students at University of California, San Diego is $42,324 per year.

University of California, San Diego: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

University of California, San Diego is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $12,570 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time. For students who are not considered California-residents, out-of-state tuition is $42,324 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Attending an insitution where you qualify for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save students a lot of money on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Take the time to verify your state's requirements for as an in-state resident. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to University of California, San Diego?

UC San Diego has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at University of California, San Diego can expect to pay around $42,324 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

Students from outside of the U.S. usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or UC San Diego-specific grants, scholarships, and other funding opportunities..

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships.

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University of California, San Diego Housing Expenses, Fees, and More

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In addition to the cost of tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when estimating the cost of attendance for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at UC San Diego.

Room and Board Costs at UC San Diego

Room and board at UC San Diego is $16,713 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the UC San Diego's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at UC San Diego

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Annual Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Many schools have resources for students with financial need to get help covering these fees.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles: Transportation costs at UC San Diego

The total cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your transportation budget. At UC San Diego, freshman are allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in a city could be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. The University of California, San Diego campus is located in a suburban setting in California, not far from San Diego.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.

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Total Tuition and Expenses at University of California, San Diego

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to UC San Diego.

Total Cost of UC San Diego

What will the cost of attending UC San Diego be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$12,570
Out-of-State Tuition	$42,324
Room and Board	$16,713
Other expenses	$1,464

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

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Financial Aid at University of California, San Diego

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In 2022, 16,094 of the 33,343 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. UC San Diego meets 83.5% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $25,036 a year. Around 43% of UC San Diego undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. UC San Diego graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $19,357 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$17,281
State Loans	$7,771
UC San Diego-Specific Loans	$1,916
Private Loans	$31,960

Most Common Loans for UC San Diego Students
Federal Loans	42%
State loans	1%
Institutional Loans	7%
Private loans	3%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on UC San Diego financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of California, San Diego

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, UC San Diego awarded 15,579 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $342.4 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $20 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

University of California, San Diego Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for UC San Diego students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at UC San Diego was $25,036 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of UC San Diego seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$-13,889
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-3,287
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$40,901

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending UC San Diego really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the UC San Diego's net cost calculator on their website.

University of California, San Diego Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

UC San Diego offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

UC San Diego Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

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Learn More About University of California, San Diego

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