University of California-San Diego vs Stanford University
University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA, and Stanford University is a private university in Stanford, CA. Stanford University is the more selective of the two, admitting about 4% of applicants against 27% at University of California-San Diego. University of California-San Diego is the cheaper of the two after aid, averaging about $12,470 a year against $13,807 at Stanford University. About 92% of students graduate at Stanford University, compared with 87% at University of California-San Diego. Ten years after enrolling, Stanford University alumni earn a median of about $124,080, against $84,943 for University of California-San Diego.
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* Reported aid for this income range averaged above the billed cost.
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.
- Is University of California-San Diego or Stanford University harder to get into?
- Stanford University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% 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 Stanford University?
- University of California-San Diego is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,470 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $13,807 at Stanford University. 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 Stanford University?
- Before aid, University of California-San Diego costs about $38,701 a year and Stanford University about $87,833. 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 Stanford University?
- Stanford University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,536 there, against about $7,525 at University of California-San Diego. 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 Stanford University?
- University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 7,554 at Stanford University.
- Does University of California-San Diego or Stanford University have a better graduation rate?
- Stanford University has the higher graduation rate, at about 92% against 87% at University of California-San Diego.
- Do graduates of University of California-San Diego or Stanford University earn more?
- Stanford University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $124,080 ten years after enrolling, against about $84,943 for University of California-San Diego. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-San Diego and Stanford University require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-San Diego is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. Stanford University requires SAT or ACT scores.
- What SAT scores do University of California-San Diego and Stanford University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego and 1510–1580 at Stanford University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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