UC San Diego vs University of South Florida (USF)
Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant academic landscapes of the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) and the University of South Florida (USF), two esteemed institutions offering distinct educational experiences. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they diverge in several key aspects. UCSD boasts a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 30%, while USF adopts a more open admissions policy, welcoming 48% of applicants. UCSD's student body reflects its rigorous admissions standards, with a higher proportion of students pursuing STEM-related majors. USF, on the other hand, offers a broader range of undergraduate programs, catering to diverse interests. Explore the detailed comparison table to uncover further distinctions between these two exceptional universities, and make an informed decision that aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of California-San Diego |
![]() University of South Florida |
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Overview |
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Location | La Jolla, California | Tampa, Florida |
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% | 90.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 34.2% | 49.4% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$120
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Undergraduate:
$30
Graduate:
$30
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SAT range | N/A | 1140 - 1330 |
ACT range | N/A | 24 - 29 |
Students submitting SAT score | 70.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 118,386 | 50,352 |
Total number of admissions given out | 40,493 | 24,863 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 7,544 | 6,279 |
Yield rate | 18.6% | 25.3% |
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 |
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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:
$21,812
Out of state:
$32,726
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Average net price | $15,632 | $11,419 |
Tuition |
In state:
$11,442
Out of state:
$41,196
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In state:
$4,559
Out of state:
$15,473
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Room & board | $16,145 |
Room/dormitory:
$8,328
Meal plan:
$4,240
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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 |
98.0%
Average amount $9,965 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
21.0%
Average amount $4,545 |
20.0%
Average amount $6,281 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $4,851 |
2.0%
Average amount $11,370 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
33,343
Men 48.7% Women 51.3% |
38,011
Men 43.2% Women 56.8% |
Graduate students |
8,542
Men 57.6% Women 42.4% |
11,697
Men 38.6% Women 61.4% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 16.6% | 14.9% |
International students | 21.3% | 9.4% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 17,765 | 7,468 |
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 | Florida New Jersey New York Illinois Pennsylvania |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 19:1 | 22:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 89.4% | 74.6% |
Dropout rate | 9.7% | 13.4% |
Transferred out | N/A | 10.2% |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Systems Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Engineering-Related Fields (Master's Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Doctoral Degrees)
Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
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