University of California, San Diego acceptance rate, scores and deadlines

La Jolla, CA · public · 34,948 undergraduates

Acceptance rate 28.6% Fall 2025 · ↑1.9 pts
SAT Not used Test-blind
Tests, 2026–27 Test-blind From the admissions site

Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from UC San Diego's admissions site.

Chances at UC San Diego
1500
unweighted, 4.0 scale —
Your odds · Regular decision Target
24–27%
  • UC San Diego is test-blind: it doesn't look at SAT or ACT scores.
  • So this range uses the admit rate for applicants without special hooks.
  • UC San Diego admits 28.6% of applicants overall.

Data: Common Data Set 2025–26 · Test-blind for 2026–27

An estimate, not a guarantee. Save to my list

Acceptance rate

UC San Diego acceptance rate by year

39,054 of 136,750 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 26.7% for Fall 2024.

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 201520172019202120232025 28.6%
Show the numbers
Entering classAppliedAdmittedRateSource
Fall 2025136,75039,05428.6%Common Data Set
Fall 2024134,45035,91726.7%IPEDS
Fall 2023130,77132,06224.5%IPEDS
Fall 2022131,19731,10323.7%IPEDS
Fall 2021118,38640,49334.2%IPEDS
Fall 2020100,06236,63436.6%IPEDS
Fall 201999,11431,20031.5%IPEDS
Fall 201897,89429,42830.1%IPEDS
Fall 201788,44630,06134.0%IPEDS
Fall 201684,20830,02835.7%IPEDS
Fall 201578,06126,33533.7%IPEDS

2026–27 applications

UC San Diego deadlines for 2026–27

Apply with UC Application. Checked October 24, 2026 on UC San Diego's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.

  1. Regular decision Apply by Decisions March 1–31 (UCSD: by March 31)
Every 2026–27 deadline, in date order

Scores and GPA

Test scores and GPA at UC San Diego

Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.

UC San Diego is test-blind: scores it lists are not used in admission decisions.

Average high school GPA 3.88
As reported, 94% reported a GPA
High school GPA of enrolled first-years (Fall 2025)
  • 4.031.0%
  • 3.75–3.9954.0%
  • 3.50–3.7413.0%
  • 3.25–3.492.0%
  • 3.00–3.240.0%
  • 2.50–2.990.0%

What counts

What UC San Diego weighs

From section C7 of UC San Diego's Common Data Set 2025–26.

Very important

  • Course rigor
  • GPA
  • Essays

Important

  • Activities
  • Talent or ability
  • Character
  • State residency
  • Volunteer work

Considered

  • Class rank
  • First-generation status
  • Where you live
  • Work experience

Not considered

  • Test scores
  • Recommendations
  • Interview
  • Alumni relation
  • Religious affiliation
  • Demonstrated interest

Waitlist

UC San Diego waitlist

36,709 students were offered a place on the waitlist for Fall 2025, 25,411 accepted it, and 5,284 were admitted from it (20.8% of those who stayed on).

Cost

What UC San Diego costs

From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use UC San Diego's net price calculator.

Tuition, in-state$17,337
Per year
Tuition, out-of-state$54,939
Per year
Average net price$14,794
After grants, aided students
Open UC San Diego's net price calculator

Compare

Colleges with a similar acceptance rate

Close to UC San Diego's 28.6%, from the same official data.

FAQ

Questions about UC San Diego admissions

What is UC San Diego's acceptance rate?

UC San Diego admitted 39,054 of 136,750 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 28.6%. That is up from 26.7% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.

Is UC San Diego test-optional for 2026–27?

UC San Diego is test-blind for 2026–27: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission.

When are UC San Diego's application deadlines for 2026–27?

Regular decision: November 30, 2026. Check UC San Diego's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.

Where the numbers come from

Sources

Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.

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