UC San Diego (UCSD) Acceptance Rates (2025): In-State, Out-of-State & Transfer

University of California, San Diego (UC San Diego or UCSD) is among the most popular colleges in California, behind University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley). As college applications have surged in recent years, so has UC San Diego’s selectivity. Today, we will break down UC San Diego’s acceptance rates by in-state, out-of-state, and transfer applications. 

Key Takeaways:

• UC San Diego’s acceptance rate for 2025 sits at 28.4%, an increase from previous years. Despite the general acceptance rate showing an upward trend, in-state applicants are facing a more selective admissions process, with UC San Diego’s in-state acceptance rate dropping 1.3% from 2024 to 2025. 
• UC San Diego’s selectivity is dependent on who is applying, but as popularity increases and the campus sees more applications each year, students can expect an increasingly more competitive admissions process. 
• Gaining admission to UC San Diego will require dedication and grit from prospective students. As outlined in our beloved UC App Guide, students aiming for UC San Diego should focus on building a well-rounded college application, with careful attention to A-G requirements and Personal Insight Questions (PIQs).
  

UC San Diego Acceptance Rate (General)

UC San Diego’s 2025 acceptance rate is 28.4%. Of the 136,740 applications the campus received in the fall of 2025, it admitted approximately 38,460 first-year students. 

UC San Diego In-State Acceptance Rate

Over 100,000 California first-years were welcomed to the University of California (UC) system in the 2024-2025 admissions cycle. The largest number in UC admissions history. 

Despite this, UC San Diego was among the few campuses that saw a decrease in in-state enrollments, with UC San Diego’s in-state acceptance rate for 2025 sitting at 24.6%, a 1.3% dip from the previous year. 

UC San Diego Out-of-State Acceptance Rate

UC San Diego Transfer Acceptance Rate

UC San Diego’s transfer acceptance rate for 2024-2025 is 52.7%, admitting 12,355 of the 23,411 students who applied. 

UC San Diego Transfer by Major Acceptance Rate

UC San Diego’s major and transfer major acceptance rate data have not been disclosed by the campus for the 2024-2025 application year. Despite the most up-to-date numbers being from 2023, they still offer a valuable snapshot of how competitive each major can be for prospective students. 

Is UC San Diego Becoming More Selective?

UC San Diego’s selectivity depends largely on who’s applying and how they apply. While the general acceptance rate is on the rise from previous years, once we drill down to in-state, out-of-state, and transfer numbers, the data paints a more complex and nuanced picture. 

Despite the UCs’ prioritizing California residents for enrollment over out-of-state and international applicants, a majority of students are being admitted to other UC campuses such as the University of California, Riverside (UCR or UC Riverside) and the University of California, Merced (UCM or UC Merced). This redistribution aligns with the UC system’s commitment to ensure more California residents have a place within their university network, even if it’s not at the more selective and popular campuses such as UCLA, UC Berkeley, or UCSD. 

From a long-term perspective, UC San Diego’s growing reputation continues to fuel record-breaking application numbers. As public interest and the number of applications received continue to rise, the public can anticipate a more selective admission process to maintain manageable enrollment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is UC San Diego Test-Optional?

UC San Diego is test-blind, meaning they do not consider standardized test scores even if a student submits them. The entire UC system, including other UC campuses, does not accept standardized test scores. 

How Much is UC San Diego’s Tuition?

For 2025-2026, UC San Diego’s in-state tuition is estimated to be between $36,528 and $46,089, depending on whether residents are commuting to campus or living in dorms. 

For out-of-state students, UC San Diego’s estimated tuition is between $74,130 and $83,691.

What is UC San Diego’s Ranking?

According to U.S. News World Report, UC San Diego is ranked #29 in national universities and #6 for public institutions. UC San Diego’s ranking and reputation vary depending on the college ranking site and major-specific rankings. 

Related: Do College Rankings Matter?

When are UC San Diego Applications Due?

UC San Diego’s college application deadline is November 30 for each application cycle. This deadline is a UC-wide deadline for all applications being sent to a UC campus. 

Final Thoughts

UC San Diego is becoming increasingly more competitive. While not as competitive as UCLA and UC Berkeley, it still remains one of the more sought-after UC campuses. Applicants aiming for UC San Diego should focus on building a well-rounded college application, surpassing their A-G academic requirements, and mastering their Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). By doing this, they will increase their chances of acceptance and stand out amongst their peers.

Looking for UC college application support? Work with the experts who have helped 3,000+ students gain admission to the UCs, the largest number of any college counseling company. Book a free consultation with Collegewise to learn more about our targeted UC application support or to work with a UC admissions expert.