UC San Diego vs University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (Pitt)
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant academic landscapes of University of California-San Diego (UCSD) and University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus (Pitt). While both institutions offer exceptional educational experiences, they possess distinct characteristics that may resonate differently with prospective students. UCSD, nestled along the scenic Pacific coast, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a larger student body, providing a diverse and dynamic campus environment. Pitt, rooted in the heart of Pittsburgh, offers a more intimate learning atmosphere with a higher acceptance rate. Explore their contrasting popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates in the comprehensive comparison table below to discern which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of California-San Diego |
![]() University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus |
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Overview |
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Location | La Jolla, California | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
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% | 93.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 34.2% | 66.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$75
|
SAT range | N/A | 1250 - 1470 |
ACT range | N/A | 28 - 33 |
Students submitting SAT score | 49.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 16.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 118,386 | 34,656 |
Total number of admissions given out | 40,493 | 23,109 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 7,544 | 4,875 |
Yield rate | 18.6% | 21.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$35,116
Out of state:
$64,870
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In state:
$36,394
Out of state:
$51,426
|
Average net price | $15,632 | $22,996 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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In state:
$19,092
Out of state:
$34,124
|
Room & board | $16,145 |
Room/dormitory:
$6,880
Meal plan:
$4,940
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
48.0%
Average amount $18,083 |
74.0%
Average amount $12,822 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
21.0%
Average amount $4,545 |
51.0%
Average amount $5,334 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $4,851 |
12.0%
Average amount $19,190 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
33,343
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
23,885
Men 43.5% Women 56.5% |
Graduate students |
8,542
Men 57.6% Women 42.4% |
9,345
Men 40.5% Women 59.5% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 16.6% | 39.6% |
International students | 21.3% | 8.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 17,765 | 8,760 |
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 | Pennsylvania New Jersey New York Maryland Virginia |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 89.4% | 84.3% |
Dropout rate | 9.7% | 3.0% |
Transferred out | N/A | 12.0% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Physics (Doctoral Degrees)
Engineering, Other (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Post-Baccalaureate Certificates)
Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (First Professional Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
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