University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Accommodation: Cost, Facilities & Application Process

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Shreshta Saboo

Updated on - Apr 24, 2026

Students at the University of California San Diego can apply for on-campus housing. The deadline to apply for on-campus housing for undergraduates is 6 July 2027. On-campus housing offers various apartment options and residence halls. For graduate students, the application goes into the waiting process (first come first serve basis).

The University of California San Diego has on-campus accommodation costs around:

UG: $11,564-17,055 / ₹11-16 lakhs (annually)
Graduate: $490-2,454 / ₹46,000-2.3 lakhs (monthly)

There are various accommodation choices available at UC San Diego for the 2026-2027 academic year, such as residence halls and apartments. It has various facilities like Wifi, utilities, laundry, studying spaces, leisure areas, and others.

All full-time undergraduate and graduate students can apply for UC San Diego Accommodation when they receive their admission offer. Students need to adhere to the housing deadline to secure accommodation.

Know more: University of California San Diego Rankings.

Table of Contents

UC San Diego Accommodation Application Dates for UG
UC San Diego Accommodation Cost for UG
UC San Diego UG Accommodation Housing Package
UC San Diego UG Accommodation Application Process
UC San Diego Accommodation for Graduate Students
UC San Diego Graduate Accommodation Housing Facilities
UC San Diego Graduate Accommodation Application Process
FAQs

UC San Diego Accommodation Application Dates for UG

The prospective undergraduate class that will enrol in Fall 2027 will be qualified for a guaranteed two-year residence on campus. To be eligible for the two-year guarantee, students must fulfil all housing deadlines.

Events	Due Date
Accept the offer of Admission, sign in on the official portal, and the ucsd.edu email	1 May 2027
Apply for Housing in the Enrollment Checklist	7 June 2027
Housing contract information emailed	16 June 2027
Signed Housing contract and $450 / ₹42,000 prepayment due	29 June 2027
Priority deadline for OSD-approved housing accommodations	6 July 2027
Submit roommate requests and room type preferences	14 July 2027
Room Assignment and Move-in information are available	15-31 August 2027
Deadline to change Dining Plan	1 October 2027

Check: University of California Acceptance Rate

UC San Diego Accommodation Cost for UG

The table below mentions the annual cost of on-campus housing for international students at the University of California San Diego.

Residence	Room Type	Annual Cost (USD)	Annual Cost (INR)
Residence Halls	Single Room	$14,691	₹13.8 lakhs
	Double Room	$12,803	₹12 lakhs
	Triple Room	$11,564	₹11 lakhs
Apartments	Single Room	$12,154	₹12 lakhs
	Double Room	$13,393	₹12.6 lakhs
	Triple Room	$17,044	₹16 lakhs

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

UC San Diego UG Accommodation Housing Package

The facilities offered to UG students who opt for on-campus accommodation at the University of California San Diego are as follows:

Wi-Fi
Housekeeping, including toilet paper (except Pepper Canyon West)
Utilities
Cable Television
Maintenance Services
Security (including walk escorts)
Access to On-Site Laundry Facilities
Dining Plan with Special Events
Access to a Registered Dietitian
Community Kitchens (not available in all neighbourhoods)
Cooking Demonstrations
Residence Life Services and Programming
Study Spaces
Bicycle Lockers (available for rent: $20/ ₹1,885 per month)

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

UC San Diego UG Accommodation Application Process

Only students who have received the acceptance offer from the university can apply for housing at UC San Diego. The housing application is free of cost. Below is an overview of the 2026-27 incoming student housing application process:

Step 1: Accept your offer of admission before the deadline: Make frequent checks of your UCSD email and the applicant Portal.

Step 2: Apply for housing by the deadlines stated.

Step 3: First-year and transfer students, the housing contract will start in June.

Step 4: Get ready to sign your housing contract and pay $450 / ₹42,000 in advance.

Also check: University of California San Diego Important Articles for Indian Students.

UC San Diego Accommodation for Graduate Students

The table below mentions the on-campus housing facilities for international students admitted to graduate programs at the University of California San Diego. It mentions the monthly charges for students, depending on the type of room.

Apartments	Unit Type	Double Occupancy - Shared Bedroom Charges	Single Occupancy Bedroom Charges	Full Unit Charges
Coast Apartments	Studio	$673 / ₹63,000	$1,347 / ₹1.2 lakhs	$1308 / ₹1.2 lakhs
	1 Bed / 1 Bath	$819 / ₹77,000	$1,638 / ₹1.5 lakhs	$1,638 / ₹1.5 lakhs
	2 Bed / 1 Bath	$490 / ₹46,000	$981 / ₹92,000	$1,962 / ₹1.8 lakhs
Mesa Apartments	1 Bed / 1 Bath	$900 / ₹85,000	$1,800 / ₹1.7 lakhs	$1,800 / ₹1.7 lakhs
	2 Bed / 1 Bath	$532-561 / ₹50,000-53,000	$1,065-1,122 / ₹1-1.1 lakhs	$2,130-2,244 / ₹2-2.1 lakhs
	3 Bed / 1 Bath	$505 / ₹47,000	$1,011 / ₹1 lakh	$3,033 / ₹2.9 lakhs
One Miramar Street Apartments	2 Bed / 1 Bath	$588 / ₹55,000	$1,176 / ₹ 1.1 lakhs	$2,352 / ₹2.2 lakhs
Mesa Nueva	Studio	$729 / ₹68,000	$1,458 / ₹1.3 lakhs	$1,458 / ₹1.3 lakhs
Mesa Nueva	1 Bed / 1 Bath	$1,185 / ₹1.1 lakhs	$2,370 / ₹2.2 lakhs	$2,370 / ₹2.2 lakhs
Nuevo East	1 Bed / 1 Bath	$1,078 / ₹1 lakh	$2,157 / ₹2 lakhs	$2,157 / ₹2 lakhs
Nuevo East	2 Bed / 1 Bath	$613 / ₹58,000	$1,227 / ₹1.1 lakhs	$2,454 / ₹2.3 lakhs
Nuevo West	Studio	$784 / ₹70,000	$1,569 / ₹1.4 lakhs	$1,569 / ₹1.4 lakhs
Nuevo West	2 Bed / 1 Bath	$613 / ₹58,000	$1,227 / ₹1.1 lakhs	$2,454 / ₹2.3 lakhs

Check: University of California San Diego Students’ Profile

UC San Diego Graduate Accommodation Housing Facilities

Some of the on-campus housing facilities for graduate students at the University of California San Diego are as follows:

Free parking
Internet (Wifi)
Premium cable packages
Outdoor leisure areas
Laundry facilities

Check: University of California San Diego Students’ Reviews

UC San Diego Graduate Accommodation Application Process

The application process for graduate students to apply for on-campus housing facilities at the University of California San Diego is as follows:

If you have a UCSD account:

Log in using your campus credentials.
Go to the Waitlist Portal.
Create or update your housing application.

If you don’t have a UCSD account (New Fall 2027 students):

Request a temporary username & password.
Approval takes 48 hours.
Use it to log in and apply.

Planning your accommodation for the academic year is a crucial step for every UC San Diego student. Whether you're an incoming undergraduate, graduate, or professional student, understanding your housing options is essential for a smooth transition to university life.

FAQs

Ques. Is on-campus housing guaranteed at UC San Diego?

Ans. For undergraduate students, UCSD offers a 2-year housing guarantee, but only if all deadlines are met. Graduate students, however, are placed on a waitlist system, and housing is not guaranteed.

Ques. Is UC San Diego housing furnished?

Ans. Yes, most on-campus housing (both UG & graduate) comes fully furnished, including bed, desk, chairs, and storage.

Ques. What is the $450 housing prepayment at UC San Diego?

Ans. It is a mandatory advance payment required when signing the housing contract. This secures your spot in university housing.

Ques. Can I choose my roommate at UC San Diego?

Ans. Yes. UC San Diego allows students to submit roommate requests and room preferences before the deadline through the housing portal.

UC-San Diego Accommodation: Students' Opinion

AI-Generated Summary based on 9 Reviews

University of California, San Diego offers both on-campus and off-campus housing options. On-campus housing is guaranteed for undergraduate students for their first two years. Rent for on-campus accommodation varies: a single room can cost between $980 to $1400 per month, while shared rooms can be around $600 to $700. Off-campus graduate housing is available, with studio apartments costing about $900 per month. Room in a 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom setup costs similarly on campus.

The annual cost for a double room is approximately $17,000, a single room around $18,500, and a triple room between $15,500 to $16,000. The campus provides a free bus pass for commuters and organizes events with food and entertainment. The University charges rent quarterly as part of the fees. Overall, accommodations are spacious, well laid out, and considered better than many other universities.

By Collegedunia’s Personal AI

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Computer Science and Engineering (1)

University of California, San Diego: Alumina POV

Likes

The campus as a whole - it is a really big campus with loads of fields and eating options
The location of the college - it is right next to the beach
The main gym (RIMAC) - massive gym with all facilities

Dislikes

The quarter system - instead of 2 academic semesters every year, we had quarters. This made things move too quickly and become too intense
Lack of sports culture - there was no football team and at the time UCSD wasn't D1, as a result the sporting culture in the school wasn't very good
Not as socially vibrant - as opposed to lots of other US schools, UCSD isn't the most socially vibrant. You have to make an extra effort for this

Accommodation

Off Campus

I stayed on campus for all 4 years. In the first year we did not have access to on campus apartments and had to live in a shared room.
My room had 2 other people and this was difficult for me. I did not get along with them and had to change rooms after the first quarter.
In my second - fourth year I stayed on campus. Campus is very big and I stayed in different parts, all of which were close and far from different classes and dining halls. I recommend getting a bicycle to commute.

I stayed on campus for all 4 years. In the first year we did not have access to on campus apartments and had to live in a shared room.
My room had 2 other people and this was difficult for me. I did not get along with them and had to change rooms after the first quarter.
In my second - fourth year I stayed on campus. Campus is very big and I stayed in different parts, all of which were close and far from different classes and dining halls. I recommend getting a bicycle to commute.

academic: 6/10

faculty: 4/10

infrastructure: 8/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 4/10

extracurricular: 6/10

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Student (Anonymous)

University of California( Enrolled 2023 )Bachelor of Science [B.Sc.] Mathematics and Computer ScienceJanuary 28, 2025

8.0 /10

University of California review

Likes

The distance to the beach is very close to the campus
The quality of education is of the highest standards
Peer on campus is very friendly and allows good networking

Dislikes

Within-campus shuttle service does not cover Central area
Washrooms should have jet sprays for all nationalities
Wifi is extremely weak on the whole campus

Accommodation

Off Campus

I opted for on-campus accommodations. University of California San Diego provides guaranteed on-campus housing for undergraduate students for the first two years only. I chose on-campus housing because it is more convenient to go to classes, and I liked my dorms and suitemates.
The rent is paid per quarter and are part of the quarterly fees billed to me

I opted for on-campus accommodations. University of California San Diego provides guaranteed on-campus housing for undergraduate students for the first two years only. I chose on-campus housing because it is more convenient to go to classes, and I liked my dorms and suitemates.
The rent is paid per quarter and are part of the quarterly fees billed to me

academic: 8/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 8/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 8/10

extracurricular: 8/10

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Yohann D Souza

University of California( Enrolled 2023 )B.S in Mathematics and Computer ScienceJuly 25, 2024

7.0 /10

Yohann review

Likes

Research opportunities, quarter system, midterm schedule, dorms (new ones, not old ones)

Dislikes

Limited recruitment straight from uni beyond a few stem courses, old dorms are poorly designed

Accommodation

Off Campus

It’s quite expensive, around 17k USD for a year for a double room. Single room is around 18.5K and a triple is around 15.5/16k USD. No other choices exist, all are pretty spacious and well laid out. Much better than most schools like UCLA in terms of spacing and layout.

I chose this university bcz of it's location and program strength - it is top 15 in the US for CS and top 10 for data science. I chose this program because of its utility, high earning potential + capacity to get into business later. As mentioned, what I liked previously.

academic: 9/10

faculty: 6/10

infrastructure: 7/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 5/10

extracurricular: 7/10

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Apurva Salvi

University of California( Enrolled 2021 )M.S Electrical and Computer EngineeringMay 9, 2024

7.2 /10

UC San Diego - A Degree in Paradise

Likes

Bright fellow students, beautiful location, great reputation. Ease of getting teaching assistantships, I got waivers/stipends of close to $15-20K because of this.

Dislikes

Stressful and fast paced is an understatement. You basically have zero free time in the school year, and it feels like there’s exam after exam. Two weeks go by after the quarter starts, then you have a midterm, then another 2 weeks another midterm, and then 3 weeks and final, and repeat.

Accommodation

Off Campus

I, along with almost all of my friends, lived in on-campus housing. I rented a studio alone for $900/month. A room in a 2br/2ba cost similar on campus. Some of my friends shared a room, so their rent ended up being around $450/month.

SoP was mainly about what got me interested in the field of VLSI Design and how I took steps to develop my understanding of the subject further. The primary factors were the great reputation and moderate prestige associated with the program. Second was the location of being in California, and picturesque San Diego.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 9/10

infrastructure: 9/10

accomodation: 10/10

placement: 7/10

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Mansi

University of California( Enrolled 2022 )MS Data ScienceOctober 19, 2023

7.8 /10

An insight into one of the top public schools in the USA!

Likes

The university is extensively known for research in Artificial Intelligence. Also for me the weather and California location was a main reason.

Accommodation

Off Campus

The rents and general cost for accommodation is usually high but available everywhere.

I believe I had a good experience at my university. The college had great study programs and lab facilities. The other facilities including dining and sports facilities were enriching and created a wholesome experience for my stay here. Other than high living cost and tough job conditions, everything was very accessible and enjoyable. I would recommend this university for students genuinely interested in learning and growing.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 10/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 9/10

placement: 8/10

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Pratik Ratadiya

University of California( Enrolled 2021 )MS Computer Science and EngineeringJune 7, 2023

6.8 /10

MS CS experience at UC San Diego

Likes

It is one of the Top 5 public schools in the US, apart from this: 1. Strong CS research ranking 2. Ample funding opportunities 3. California, so closer to Big tech 4. Weather is friendly
Access to a world-class education with top-notch faculty, opportunities for interdisciplinary research, a diverse and inclusive campus community, cutting-edge facilities and resources, ample funding opportunities with teaching assistantships and other positions, and a prime location in the heart of the vibrant and innovative city of San Diego.

Dislikes

Some limitations of joining UCSD include high tuition fees and living costs. The academic environment for masters may feel highly competitive and demanding. The on-campus housing options are getting more limited with a large student population coming in.
With larger class sizes, it may be challenging to build close personal connections with peers and professors. Some students find the campus to be too isolated from the rest of San Diego and lacking in social activities compared to other California universities (I do feel that the beaches are great though!).

Accommodation

Off Campus

Sharing rooms are available in some communities on campus. For them rent will be 600-700, while for single room it will be 980-1400 depending on total rooms in your apartment.

I have really enjoyed the research opportunities at UCSD along with the funding that I get thanks to it being a public school. Because of this I will be able to complete my MS in less than 4 lakh INR. The courses were also very engaging and I really appreciate the flexibility in curriculum which made this an enjoyable experience. Placement support could have been better and maybe more affordable food and housing options nearby would be welcomed.

academic: 9/10

faculty: 9/10

infrastructure: 10/10

accomodation: 7/10

placement: 6/10

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Hirdyanshu Arora

University of California( Enrolled 2022 )MS Business AnalyticsMarch 6, 2023

6.5 /10

UCSD review

Accommodation

Off Campus

The accommodation is graduate housing. It is well built with all the essential facilities. However the rent is too high ($978 per month) . Overall though it is convenient as everything is nearby and you live with graduates and form lot of friends

"Location - san diego has the best weather Course Curriculum - structured well with lot of electives Job opportunities in California - tech hub Ranking of universities on various websites Alumni database "

academic: 8/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 9/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 6/10

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Isabella Ying

University of California( Current Student )Undergraduate in BiochemistryMarch 15, 2019

7.0 /10

Univ of California's experience of Isabella

I liked the environment - both physically and academically. Research opportunities here are abundant. Faculty and staff are phenomenal and friendly, yet professional; more so, the has a good reputation in terms of STEM majors which made me choose UCSD.

academic: 8/10

faculty: 8/10

infrastructure: 6/10

accomodation: 7/10

placement: 9/10

extracurricular: 4/10

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Madison

University of California( Current Student )Human BiologyMarch 5, 2019

8.5 /10

Reputable Univ Review

Accommodation

Off Campus

I live off campus, University of California, San Diego provides a free pass for the bus which accommodates commuters. They also host events specifically for commuters that provide them food and entertainment.

It is a reputable STEM school that also specializes in healthcare. It also provides lots of opportunities for my academic career. It is also close to home so it would be easier for me to go home and back.

academic: 10/10

faculty: 7/10

infrastructure: 8/10

accomodation: 8/10

placement: 10/10

extracurricular: 8/10

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