UC San Diego vs University of Richmond

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

UC San Diego
Highly selective
24%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1490
Public · California
University of Richmond
Highly selective
24%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1430
Private · Virginia

UC San Diego vs University of Richmond: the differences that matter

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

UC San Diego and University of Richmond are almost equally selective (24% 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. UC San Diego leans more on state residency, while University of Richmond puts more weight on recommendations, interview, extracurricular activities. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, UC San Diego's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1490 and University of Richmond's is around 1430. 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.

FactorUC San DiegoUniversity of Richmond
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsconsideredimportant
Extracurricular activitiesconsideredimportant
Talent / abilityconsideredimportant
Character / personal qualitiesconsideredvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is UC San Diego or University of Richmond harder to get into?

UC San Diego is harder to get into, with a 24% acceptance rate versus 24% at University of Richmond.

What's the difference in SAT scores between UC San Diego and University of Richmond?

UC San Diego's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1490, and University of Richmond's is around 1430.

What are my chances at UC San Diego and University of Richmond?

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