University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Acceptance Rate 2026

University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Acceptance Rate 2026

San Diego, CaliforniaLocation
UniversitySchool type
Estd1960established year
40586enrollment
Public
San Diegocampus
7.2/10
Shreshta Saboo's profile photo

Shreshta Saboo

Updated on - Apr 24, 2026

The University of California, San Diego is a research university located in California, USA. Each year, UC San Diego receives a significant influx of applications from international students. The total number of applications received by UC San Diego for graduate programs for the fall 2025 intake is as follows:

  • Total application forms: 19,997
  • International application forms: 57.6%
  • Total international acceptance rate: 56%

The total number of applications received for undergraduate programs at the University of California San Diego, by international students for the fall 2025 intake is as follows:

  • Total application forms: 25,254
  • International application forms: 7,496
  • Total international acceptance rate: 30%

International students have also applied for the MBA program at UC San Diego, and the data regarding it for the fall 2025 intake is as follows:

  • Total application forms: 225
  • International application forms: 60.4%
  • International acceptance rate: 52.1%

Know more: University of California San Diego Rankings.


UC San Diego Acceptance Rate for Graduate Programs

The table below mentions the acceptance rate of overall students and international students for graduate programs at the University of California San Diego for the fall 2025 intake.

  • Acceptance rate varies as per the graduate program and department.
  • The medicine program has the lowest acceptance rate for international students (0%).
  • Quantitative Finance has the highest acceptance rate for international students (89.1%).
  • The total acceptance rate for international students for graduate programs is 56%.
  • The medicine program has the lowest acceptance rate for overall students (1.6%).
  • Health Sciences has the highest acceptance rate for international students (98%).
  • The total acceptance rate for international students for graduate programs is 38.6%.
Programs Total Number of Applications Total Number of Admits Total Acceptance Rate Total Percentage of International Students Applied International Students Acceptance Rate
Arts and Humanities 731 31 4% 14.4% 3.2%
Biological Sciences 148 142 95% 10.8% 11.3%
Bioengineering 520 398 76% 49.8% 43.7%
Chemical Engineering 111 91 82% 54.1% 52.7%
Computer Engineering 5,774 1,000 17% 77.4% 53.7%
Electrical Engineering 1,626 983 60% 85.1% 80%
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering 794 472 59% 48.4% 35.4%
Chemistry 109 65 59% 44% 35.4%
Maths 193 56 29% 63.7% 62.5%
Data Science 1,463 586 40% 73.2% 47.4%
Public Health 474 333 70% 52.3% 45.6%
Health Sciences 103 101 98% 33% 31.7%
Business Analytics 1,049 672 64% 89.8% 86.8%
Quantitative Finance 948 599 63% 92.2% 89.1%
Management 422 22 5% 89.1% 72.7%
Accountancy 325 232 71% 78.8% 71.1%
Medicine 2,837 46 1.6% 1.1% 0%
Pharmacy 92 47 51% 32.6% 19.1%
Economics 767 48 6% 72.8% 62.5%
Communication 113 9 8% 63.7% 11.1%
Psychology 517 22 4% 37.5% 50%
Political Science 298 40 13% 59.1% 55%
Total 19,997 7,726 38.6% 57.6% 56%

For more information on costs, check: University of California San Diego Fees.


UC San Diego Acceptance Rate for MBA

The table below mentions the acceptance rate of overall students and international students for the MBA program at the University of California San Diego.

  • The acceptance rate for the MBA program for international students decreased from 72.9% in 2022 to 52.1% in 2025.
  • The acceptance rate for the MBA program for overall students decreased from 60% in 2022 to 41% in 2025.
Particulars 2025 2024 2023 2022
Total Number of Applications 225 207 282 179
Total Number of Admits 94 68 126 107
Total Acceptance Rate 41% 32% 44% 60%
Total Percentage of International Students Applied 60.4% 66.7% 67.4% 71.5%
International Students Acceptance Rate 52.1% 47.1% 71.4% 72.9%

For more details, check: University of California San Diego Admission


UC San Diego Acceptance Rate for UG Program

The table below mentions the acceptance rate of overall students and international students for the undergraduate program at the University of California San Diego.

UC San Diego Acceptance Rate of International Students for UG Program

The table below mentions the acceptance rate of international students at the University of California San Diego.

  • The acceptance rate of international students has increased from 18% in 2023-24 to 30% in 2025-26.
  • It suggests that a larger number of international students are now being admitted to UC San Diego.
Years Total Number of Applications Received Total Number of Students Admitted Acceptance Rate
2025-26 25,254 7,496 30%
2024-25 21,821 4,896 22%
2023-24 21,940 3,933 18%

Know more: University of California San Diego Accommodation


UC San Diego Acceptance Rate of Overall Students for the UG Program

The table below mentions the acceptance rate of all students at the University of California San Diego.

  • The acceptance rate of overall students has increased from 25% in 2023-24 to 30% in 2025-26.
  • It suggests that a larger number of students are now being admitted to UC San Diego, and an easier admission process as compared to previous years.
Years Total Number of Applications Received Total Number of Students Admitted Acceptance Rate
2025-26 1.3 Lakhs 39,000 30%
2024-25 1.3 Lakhs 36,000 27%
2023-24 1.3 Lakhs 32,400 25%

Check: University of California San Diego Students’ Reviews


UC San Diego Acceptance Rate for PhD Program

The table below mentions the acceptance rate of overall students and international students for the PhD program at the University of California San Diego for the fall 2025 intake.

  • International students have a higher acceptance rate of 42.8%, as compared to the overall acceptance rate of 8%.
  • More than half of the applications were from international students for the PhD program.
Particulars 2025
Total Number of Applications 15,539
Total Number of Admits 1,267
Total Acceptance Rate 8%
Total Percentage of International Students Applied 55.4%
International Students Acceptance Rate 42.8

Check: University of California San Diego Students’ Profile

Getting admission into the University of California San Diego is competitive, with an acceptance rate of approximately 30% for UG and 56% for graduate programs for international students. To improve your chances, aim for a high GPA in rigorous coursework relevant to your major. Craft compelling essays that showcase your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and why UC San Diego is a good fit for you.


FAQs

Ques. Is it easier to get into graduate programs than undergraduate programs at UC San Diego?

Ans. Yes, graduate programs generally have a higher acceptance rate (56%) compared to undergraduate programs (30%), but selectivity varies by department at UC San Diego.

Ques. Which graduate programs at UC San Diego are the most competitive?

Ans. Programs like Medicine (1.6%), Arts & Humanities (4%), and Management (5%) have the lowest acceptance rates, making them highly competitive.

Ques. Which graduate programs have the highest acceptance rates at UC San Diego?

Ans. Programs such as Health Sciences (98%), Biological Sciences (95%), and Quantitative Finance (63% overall, 89.1% international) have relatively higher acceptance rates.

Ques. What factors improve admission chances at UC San Diego?

Ans. Strong academics, relevant coursework, a compelling SOP/essays, extracurriculars, and timely application submission significantly improve chances for admission at UC San Diego.

Comments


No Comments To Show
Photos

interested in this College ?

Get free counselling