University of California- San Diego vs University of Southern California

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University of Southern California ranking is among the top universities in USA and the world.The university has been ranked among the top 20 universities in the USA and among the top 60 universities in the world. University of California, San Diego or commonly referred to as UC San Diego is a highly regarded research institution, ranked 33rd in The World Rankings by Times Higher Education, 54th in the world by the QS Global World Ranking,

Overview Comparison
University of CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
Collegedunia Score7.3 Out of 105.9 Out of 10
ranking (overall)# 66 QS World University 2026
# 33 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 34 Times Higher Education 2025
# 146 QS World University 2026
# 54 Center for World University Rankings 2025
# 72 Times Higher Education 2025
Subject Strength# 10 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 28 for Data Science and Analytics by QS World University 2025
# 22 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 20 for Engineering by US News 2025
# 99 for Medicine by QS World University 2025
# 26 for Law by US News 2025
ProgramsUG Programs -23
PG Programs -31
Doctorate Programs -5
UG Programs -142
PG Programs -124
Doctorate Programs -7
Acceptance Rate25.0 %12.0 %
Exam ScoreDuolingo-115
GMAT-510
GRE-213
IELTS-7
PTE-65
SAT-1210
TOEFL-85
GMAT-690
GRE-306
IELTS-6.5
PTE-68
SAT-1360
TOEFL-100
Cost to StudyAverage Tuition Fees   29754
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  32487
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 31502 Per Year
Average Tuition Fees   63468
[For UG Program]
Average Tuition Fees  25795
[For PG Program]
Hostel + Meal - 39862 Per Year
placement (average package)

Graduate Employability ranks (2020)- #121-130. 
Highest paid degrees are MBA ($120,000); PhD ($100,000); MS ($92,0000); Bsc ($82,000). 


Graduate Employability Ranking 2023: 59

QS World University Ranking :#134

Average salaries are given below:

  • Doctrate: $145,000
  • MBA: $142,000
  • Bachelor(Other):$121,000
  • Master(Other): $117,000
  • PHd: $101,000


application requirements

GPA: 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 (B grade or 83-86%). Fulfill core subject requirements. Personal insight questions must be submitted. 

3 to 4 years of work experience for some graduate programs; at least 2 letters of recommendation; 2 to 3-page statement of purpose

Campuses and B-SchoolsRady School of Management
Marshall Business School
CollegeDunia Reviews7.2/10 Read 9 reviews7.8/10 Read 37 reviews
General Facts Comparison
General FactsUniversity of CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California
Type of UniversityUniversity
University
Established1960
1880
Student:Faculty Ratio13:1
13:1
Male:Female51% Male, 49% Female48% Male, 52% Female
Location Facts

Located in the heart of La Jolla’s coastal woodland, UCSD lies near to the Pacific Ocean. The campus sits on the native land of Kumeyaay Nation. The campus is bordered by Torrey Pines, University lands, and La Jolla shores. 


Has two campuses located in Los Angeles: University Park having Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and many professional schools; Health Science campus having Keck School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and three teaching hospitals. 


Library

The library collection offers over 7 million digital and print media resources. Collections are categorized into three- special, digital, and notable all serving different purposes. Special Collection includes Dr. Suess Collection and Oceanography archives of UCSD and Scripps Institution. 


Over 22 campus libraries having –

Total Volume: 5,919,656;

Title Held: 5,007,597;

Serials: 77,299;

Physical Media: 172,964, Electronic Media: 122,269; 

Electronic Books: 1,682,067;

Electronic Journals: 172,964;


Campus Life

There are over 500 student organizations from Greek services to Pep Band, there is no lack of opportunity. It has its own radio station KSDT Radio. Three student government bodies for helping and encouraging the freshmen. University sponsor 23 intercollegiate sports programs and has 10 sports venues/grounds. 


Cultural Communities: Asian Pacific American Student Services, LGBT Resource Center, International Services, etc;

Graduate, Undergraduate and Residential Student Governance; 

Volunteer Center; Trojan Marching Band; Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Services


Hostel#Residence Hall triple Room - $5013
#Residence Hall Single Room - $5860
#Rooms - $12271
#Room and Board - $19931
Famous Alumni

Mike Jude (animator), Robert Pera (founder Ubiquiti Networks), Michael Robertson (businessman), Kim Robinson (writer), James Avery (actor), Khaled Hosseini (novelist), Jef Raskin (human-computer interface expert), Bill Atkinson (computer engineer), David E. Shaw (scientist), Gregory Benford (author), and more.


Neil Armstrong (astronaut); George Lucas (creator of Star Wars); Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (former Prime Minister of Pakistan); John Wayne (Academy Award winner); Andrew Viterbi (co-founder of Qualcomm Inc.); Will Ferrell (actor)


City Life

La Jolla is a paradise for sea lovers with 13 beaches and the availability of various water sports like snorkeling, diving, etc. The Torrey Pines Golf course attracts people from around the country. A rich cultural life supported by over 200 exhibitions at the La Jolla festival of arts. This city of San Diego has its own museum, music and art library, and is renowned as world’s most acclaimed center of research. The unemployment rate for San Diego is 13.9% (June 2020). 


Los Angeles (LA) is the second most populous city of USA; Hollywood is located here; 841 Museums and art gallaries, California Beaches, Disneyland park, Los Angeles offers various concert halls, regular festivals, and bustling nightlife; Ranked 7th on Global City Index and 9th on Global Economic Power Index; Unemployment rate in December 2022 was 4%; Industries employing maximum number of people are healthcare, retail, hospitality, and manufacturing