Skip to content

University of California-San Diego vs Pitzer College

University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. Pitzer College is a private college in Claremont, CA. Pitzer College admits about 25% of applicants and University of California-San Diego about 27%, making Pitzer College the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,470 a year at University of California-San Diego after aid, and about $34,191 at Pitzer College. About 87% of students graduate at University of California-San Diego, compared with 83% at Pitzer College. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-San Diego alumni earn a median of about $84,943, against $69,512 for Pitzer College.

See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.

Start the free quiz

University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA · Public

Pitzer College

Claremont, CA · Private
At a glance
Type
Public
Private
Location
La Jolla, CA
Claremont, CA
Setting
Urban
Suburban
Undergraduates
34,948
1,227
Acceptance rate
27%
25%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.52–4
SAT (middle 50%)
1270–1480
Not reported
ACT (middle 50%)
28–34
Not reported
Test policy
Test blind
Test blind
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$12,470
$34,191
Full cost / yr
$38,701
$86,466
In-state tuition
$16,758
$65,192
Out-of-state tuition
$50,958
$65,192
Application fee
$80
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,525
$14,535
$30k - $48k
$8,155
$7,769
$48k - $75k
$9,942
$20,846
$75k - $110k
$15,199
$29,452
Over $110k
$28,785
$46,793
Outcomes
Graduation rate
87%
83%
Freshman retention
94%
94%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$65,669
$51,784
Median earnings (10 yr)
$84,943
$69,512
Median debt at graduation
$15,500
$16,750
Student body
Pell grant recipients
34%
11%
First-generation students
40%
23%
International students
11%
9%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Nov 15
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Jan 10

Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.

Frequently asked questions
Is University of California-San Diego or Pitzer College harder to get into?
Pitzer College is harder to get into. It admits about 25% of applicants, compared with 27% at University of California-San Diego. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
Which is cheaper, University of California-San Diego or Pitzer College?
University of California-San Diego is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,470 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $34,191 at Pitzer College. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
What is the full cost of attendance at University of California-San Diego and Pitzer College?
Before aid, University of California-San Diego costs about $38,701 a year and Pitzer College about $86,466. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, University of California-San Diego or Pitzer College?
University of California-San Diego. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,525 there, against about $14,535 at Pitzer College. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
Which is bigger, University of California-San Diego or Pitzer College?
University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 1,227 at Pitzer College.
Does University of California-San Diego or Pitzer College have a better graduation rate?
University of California-San Diego has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 83% at Pitzer College.
Do graduates of University of California-San Diego or Pitzer College earn more?
University of California-San Diego alumni earn more on average: a median of about $84,943 ten years after enrolling, against about $69,512 for Pitzer College. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
Do University of California-San Diego and Pitzer College require SAT or ACT scores?
University of California-San Diego is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Pitzer College is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.

Related comparisons

Which of these is the better fit for you?

These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.

1 Discovery quiz: find your major2 Matchmaker: your odds + net price at every school