Florida State University vs UC San Diego

UC San Diego is the more selective of the two at 24%, versus 25% at Florida State University. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Florida State University
Highly selective
25%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1380
Public · Florida
UC San Diego
Highly selective
24%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1490
Public · California

Florida State University vs UC San Diego: the differences that matter

How Florida State University and UC San Diego stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Florida State University and UC San Diego are almost equally selective (25% vs 24%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Florida State University leans more on class rank, standardized test scores, while UC San Diego puts more weight on application essay. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Florida State University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1380 and UC San Diego's is around 1490. Admitted students at UC San Diego post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorFlorida State UniversityUC San Diego
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Class rankimportantconsidered
Standardized test scoresvery importantimportant
Application essayconsideredvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Florida State University or UC San Diego harder to get into?

UC San Diego is harder to get into, with a 24% acceptance rate versus 25% at Florida State University.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Florida State University and UC San Diego?

Florida State University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1380, and UC San Diego's is around 1490.

What are my chances at Florida State University and UC San Diego?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.