University of California San Diego: Full Cost of Attendance (2026)

University of California San Diego is a public university in San Diego, California with an enrollment of approximately 42,000 students. In-state students pay $15,348 per year in tuition, while out-of-state students face a significantly higher bill at $47,100. When you add room and board ($$16,850) and books ($$1,146), the total sticker price reaches $$33,344 for in-state or $65,096 for out-of-state students per year.

The good news: the average financial aid package at University of California San Diego is $22,100, which brings the effective net cost down to roughly $$11,244 per year for aided students. Over four years, that's a total investment of approximately $$44,976 — a number worth comparing against expected post-graduation earnings in your field.

University of California San Diego Cost Breakdown

Cost of Living in San Diego for Students

Beyond tuition and official room & board, the city you study in shapes your real cost of attendance. San Diego has a cost-of-living index of 160 (above the national average of 100), which directly affects everything from off-campus rent to groceries, transportation, and entertainment. Students who live off-campus in San Diego typically spend $1920-$$2496 per month on total living expenses — a figure that can add $$23,040-$$29,952 annually to your education budget.

San Diego is one of the more expensive college towns in the country. Students here need to budget carefully — sharing housing, cooking at home, and using student transit passes are essential strategies. The upside: the job market and networking opportunities in San Diego can offset higher living costs through internships and part-time work that pay above-average wages.

University of California San Diego at a Glance

Hidden Costs of Attending University of California San Diego

The sticker price only tells part of the story. Students at University of California San Diego regularly encounter costs that don't appear in official estimates: technology fees ($200-600/year), parking permits ($$640-$$1920/year in San Diego), lab fees for STEM courses, study abroad surcharges, and the cost of required professional attire for internships. Health insurance, if not covered by a parent's plan, adds $2,000-4,000 annually.

Perhaps the biggest hidden cost is opportunity cost — four years of foregone income. For a graduate who would otherwise earn $San Diego's median income of $80K, the opportunity cost of a bachelor's degree is roughly $319K in lost wages. This doesn't make college a bad investment — median lifetime earnings for bachelor's degree holders exceed high school graduates by $1.2 million — but it's a real cost that should factor into your decision.

How to Afford University of California San Diego