Stanford University vs University of California-San Diego

Side-by-side comparison

Choosing between Stanford University and University of California-San Diego depends on your specific needs and priorities. Overall, Stanford University leads in 3 out of 5 comparable metrics, while University of California-San Diego has the edge in 3.

When it comes to admission rate, Stanford University offers 3.9% compared to University of California-San Diego's 24.5%. When it comes to in-state tuition, Stanford University offers 62,484 compared to University of California-San Diego's 15,265. When it comes to enrollment, Stanford University offers 7,841 compared to University of California-San Diego's 33,787.

Below is a detailed side-by-side breakdown to help you make an informed decision between these two colleges.

Admission Rate
Stanford University
3.9%
University of California-San Diego
24.5%
In-State Tuition
Stanford University
$62,484
University of California-San Diego
$15,265
Enrollment
Stanford University
7,841
University of California-San Diego
33,787
Median Earnings (10yr)
Stanford University
$124,080
University of California-San Diego
$84,943
Completion Rate
Stanford University
94.0%
University of California-San Diego
87.7%

Stanford University

Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University, is a private research university in Stanford, California, United States. It was founded in 1885 by railroad magnate...

University of California-San Diego

The University of California, San Diego is a public land-grant research university in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego, California, United States. Established in 1960, it is the southernmost of...

Metrics

MetricStanford UniversityUniversity of California-San Diego
Acceptance Rate3.9%24.5%
In-State Tuition$62,484$15,265
Out-of-State Tuition$62,484$46,042
Enrollment7,84133,787
Median Earnings (10yr)$124,080$84,943
Graduation Rate94.0%87.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is harder to get into, Stanford University or University of California-San Diego?

Stanford University is harder to get into with an acceptance rate of 3.9% vs 24.5%.

Which is cheaper, Stanford University or University of California-San Diego?

University of California-San Diego is cheaper for in-state students at $15,265 vs $62,484, a difference of $47,219 per year.

Do Stanford University or University of California-San Diego graduates earn more?

Graduates of Stanford University earn more, with median earnings of $124,080 vs $84,943 10 years after enrollment.