UC San Diego vs University of Louisville (UofL)

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of two distinct academic powerhouses: the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) and the University of Louisville (UofL). While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence, they offer unique experiences that cater to diverse student aspirations. UCSD, nestled along the scenic Pacific coast, boasts a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 30.4%, while UofL, located in the heart of Kentucky, welcomes a broader range of applicants, reflected in its 53.4% acceptance rate. Explore the nuances that set these universities apart, from their popular majors and student demographics to their graduation rates, as you navigate the comprehensive comparison table below. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic pursuits and personal preferences, embarking on a journey toward your educational dreams.
University of California-San Diego logo

University of California-San Diego

University of Louisville logo

University of Louisville

Overview

Location La Jolla, California Louisville, Kentucky
Campus setting City: Large City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Public Public
Calendar system Quarter Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 95.0% 77.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 34.2% 74.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $70

Graduate: $120
Undergraduate: $25

Graduate: $65
SAT range N/A 1050 - 1270
ACT range N/A 20 - 28
Students submitting SAT score 13.0%
Students submitting ACT score 91.0%
Total number of applicants 118,386 15,455
Total number of admissions given out 40,493 11,544
Admitted students who chose to enroll 7,544 2,695
Yield rate 18.6% 23.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $35,116

Out of state: $64,870
In state: $30,846

Out of state: $47,192
Average net price $15,632 $18,582
Tuition
In state: $11,442

Out of state: $41,196
In state: $12,174

Out of state: $28,520
Room & board $16,145
Room/dormitory: $6,830

Meal plan: $3,022
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

48.0%
Average amount $18,083
97.0%
Average amount $11,245
Students receiving federal student loan 21.0%
Average amount $4,545
38.0%
Average amount $5,075
Students taking out private loans 7.0%
Average amount $4,851
7.0%
Average amount $14,230

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 33,343
Men 48.7% Women 51.3%
15,634
Men 44.3% Women 55.7%
Graduate students 8,542
Men 57.6% Women 42.4%
6,506
Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Low
Out-of-state students 16.6% N/A
International students 21.3% 3.3%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Large
Dormitory capacity 17,765 3,569
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from California Washington Texas New York Illinois Indiana Illinois Ohio Tennessee

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Engineering
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Health Professions
  • Social Sciences
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
Students to faculty ratio 19:1 13:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 89.4% 62.5%
Dropout rate 9.7% 35.7%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $127,768
  • Year 2: $162,463
  • Year 3: $194,475
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $122,641
  • Year 2: $127,993
  • Year 3: $153,118
Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $94,408
  • Year 3: $124,326
Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $118,445
  • Year 2: $113,668
  • Year 3: $123,569
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $97,196
  • Year 2: $94,408
  • Year 3: $113,628
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $112,603
  • Year 2: $101,406
  • Year 3: $109,783
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $108,034
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $87,738
  • Year 2: $86,972
  • Year 3: $105,245
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $78,610
  • Year 2: $75,706
  • Year 3: $102,296
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,476
  • Year 2: $79,688
  • Year 3: $99,630
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $109,713
  • Year 2: $119,805
  • Year 3: $136,094
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,310
  • Year 2: $95,473
  • Year 3: $93,851
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $82,553
  • Year 2: $79,967
  • Year 3: $88,591
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $82,531
  • Year 2: $81,929
  • Year 3: $86,731
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,320
  • Year 2: $73,446
  • Year 3: $86,197
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,323
  • Year 2: $68,499
  • Year 3: $85,784
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Post-Baccalaureate Certificates)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $83,177
  • Year 3: $84,903
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $82,676
  • Year 2: $74,953
  • Year 3: $81,820
Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $67,646
  • Year 2: $77,715
  • Year 3: $80,758
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $75,195
  • Year 2: $67,939
  • Year 3: $80,421

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