UC San Diego: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 24% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1490 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 33 |
| Location | CA |
| School type | Public |
UC San Diego is a major public research university in La Jolla, California, part of the University of California system. It accepts about 24% of applicants, which is selective for a large public school and reflects how competitive UC admissions has become statewide. If UCSD is on your list, it is worth looking carefully at what the numbers mean for you.
Calculate your chances at UC San Diego free →How hard is it to get into UC San Diego?
UCSD admits roughly one in four applicants. That rate puts it among the more competitive UC campuses, behind Berkeley and UCLA but ahead of several others. The applicant pool includes a large share of California residents, and in-state students have an advantage in the UC system, but the competition is still intense across the board.
Out-of-state and international applicants face a separate process and generally need an even stronger academic profile to be admitted.
Test scores that make you competitive
At UCSD, the SAT 75th percentile for admitted students is 1490, and the ACT 75th percentile is 33. Those are high marks for a public school, reflecting the strength of the applicant pool. The UC system moved to test-free admissions and no longer considers SAT or ACT scores in admissions decisions, so your GPA and course rigor carry all the weight on the academic side.
What UC San Diego looks for
The UC system uses a set of personal insight questions in place of a traditional essay. Your answers to those questions are your main chance to tell your story, so they deserve real time and effort. Admissions readers look at GPA, the difficulty of your courses, and how you have spent your time outside class.
UCSD values academic achievement and intellectual curiosity. Students who have pushed themselves in science, math, or other rigorous areas tend to fit the culture well, though the university is broadly strong across many disciplines. Consistency and depth in your activities matter more than a long list.
Estimate your chances at UC San Diego
CollegeCalcAI at collegecalcai.com lets you enter your GPA, activities, and other profile details to get a free, instant estimate of your chances at UCSD. Since the UCs do not use test scores, the calculator focuses on the factors that actually drive UC admissions decisions.
Frequently asked questions
What is UC San Diego's acceptance rate?
UC San Diego accepts about 24% of applicants.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for UC San Diego?
The UC system is test-free and does not consider SAT or ACT scores. The 75th percentile SAT score among admitted students is 1490 and the ACT is 33, but these are not used in the decision.
Is UC San Diego hard to get into?
Yes. A 24% acceptance rate is selective, especially for a public university. Strong grades in challenging courses are essential.
See your real odds at UC San Diego
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.