Official NCES IPEDS & Common Data Set Admissions Statistics (2025-2026 Cycle)
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Public Ivy Public research university La Jolla, CA

University of California, San Diego Acceptance Rate

Comprehensive admissions statistics, middle 50% SAT/ACT test score percentiles, GPA requirements, deadlines, and cost of attendance according to official NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

Official Acceptance Rate
24.7%

25 admitted per 100 applicants

Total Applicants
130,830
Undergraduate pool
Total Admitted
32,315
Offers extended
Enrolled Freshmen
6,800
Yield: 21.0%
Middle 50% SAT
1360-1520
25th-75th Percentile
Middle 50% ACT
29-34
Composite score
Average High School GPA
3.88
Unweighted 4.0 scale

Calculate Your Chances of Admission to University of California, San Diego

Simulate how your personal high school GPA and standardized test scores compare against UC San Diego's accepted cohort.

College Admissions Chances Calculator

Evaluate admission odds based on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores against official IPEDS benchmarks

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3.85
Composite SAT Score 1480
Harvard University
Institutional Acceptance Rate: 3.4%
Reach School
Estimated Admission Likelihood
6% - 10% (~2.4x baseline rate)
Reach (<35%) Target (35%-70%) Safety (>70%)
Academic Profile vs Middle 50% Benchmarks:
Your GPA vs School Avg
3.85 vs 3.98 Below Avg
Your SAT vs Mid-50%
1480 vs 1490-1580 Near 25th %
Strategic Recommendations for this College:

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UC San Diego Standardized Test Score Distributions

Breakdown of the 25th percentile (bottom quarter) vs 75th percentile (top quarter) of matriculated students.

SAT Middle 50% Distribution

1600 Scale
Composite Total Range 1360 – 1520
Reading & Writing (EBRW) 660 – 730
Math Section 690 – 780
Current Testing Policy Test-Blind

ACT & GPA Academic Benchmarks

36 Scale / 4.0 GPA
ACT Composite 25th Percentile 29
ACT Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average High School Unweighted GPA 3.88 / 4.00
Estimated Class Rank Top 10% of high school graduating class

Application Deadlines & Admissions Plans

Regular Decision (RD) Deadline November 30
Early Application Deadline N/A
Early Admissions Plan Type None (Single UC Deadline)
Application Fee $80 (Fee waivers accepted)

Tuition & Estimated Cost of Attendance

In-State Tuition & Fees $15,348 / year
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees $49,548 / year
Institutional Type Public research university
Official Admissions Portal Visit UC San Diego

University of California, San Diego Admissions FAQ

Frequently asked questions regarding admission requirements, GPA, and test percentiles for UC San Diego.

What is the acceptance rate for University of California, San Diego?

The official undergraduate acceptance rate for University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego) is approximately 24.7%. For every 100 applicants, around 25 students are admitted, according to latest NCES IPEDS and Common Data Set reports.

What GPA do you need to get into UC San Diego?

Admitted students to UC San Diego typically have an average unweighted high school GPA of around 3.88 on a 4.0 scale. Most successful applicants take rigorous AP, IB, or Honors courses and rank in the top quartile of their graduating class.

What are the middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for UC San Diego?

The middle 50% SAT score range for admitted students is 1360 to 1520. For the ACT, the middle 50% composite score is 29 to 34. Scoring in the upper 75th percentile significantly increases your admissions chances.

What is the application deadline for University of California, San Diego?

The regular decision application deadline for University of California, San Diego is November 30. Early applicants typically submit their materials by N/A under the None (Single UC Deadline) admissions plan.

Is UC San Diego test-optional in 2025-2026?

University of California, San Diego's testing policy status: Test-Blind. Please verify program-specific requirements on the official admissions portal before submitting.