Key takeaways
Understanding the full cost of attendance at UC San Diego for the 2025-2026 academic year is crucial for effective financial planning. This includes not only tuition but also housing, meals, and personal expenses, which can significantly impact your budget. Both in-state and international students face different financial landscapes, making it essential to explore available financial aid options.
- The total estimated cost of attendance for California residents is $37,000, while nonresidents face a staggering $69,574 (UC San Diego, 2025-2026).
- Nonresident students should anticipate covering nearly the full cost unless they secure merit scholarships or external funding.
- International students are not eligible for need-based financial aid, and the estimated tuition and fees for them is $47,874, excluding living expenses (UC San Diego, 2025-2026).
- Utilizing the Net Price Calculator on UCSD’s financial aid website can help students create a personalized budget based on their financial situation.
Contents
Paying for college at UC San Diego involves more than just tuition. Whether you’re an in-state freshman or an international student, understanding the full picture of costs can help you plan better and take advantage of financial aid.
What is the Cost of Attendance at UCSD for the Academic Year 2025-2026?
“No, should be somewhere around $15k‑$20k a year according to my aid package. I haven’t paid anything out of my own pockets tuition‑wise. My estimated cost of attendance for this year was around $44k. since i had turned 24 during the beginning of the school year, i qualify as an independent student and i only had to input my own financials into FAFSA and didn’t need to provide info from my parent”
The UCSD publishes its official Cost of Attendance (COA) each academic year to help students estimate what college will really cost—including more than just tuition. For 2025-2026, the COA includes direct costs like tuition and housing, and indirect costs like books, supplies, and personal expenses.
Here’s the estimated COA for full-time undergraduate students living on campus:
| Expense Category | California Residents | Nonresidents (incl. international) |
| Tuition and Fees | $15,300 | $15,300 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition | — | $32,574 |
| Housing and Meals | $18,100 | $18,100 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 | $1,300 |
| Transportation | $700 | $700 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,600 | $1,600 |
| Total Estimated COA | $37,000 | $69,574 |
This estimate assumes a 9-month academic year and may vary based on housing choices and lifestyle. Students living off-campus or at home with family will have different budgets.
Breakdown of Costs for Non-California Residents
Non-California residents attending UC San Diego face significantly higher costs than in-state students, primarily due to the Nonresident Supplemental Tuition, which adds over $32,000 per year. This cost applies to U.S. out-of-state and international students alike. While UCSD offers limited need-based aid to nonresidents, most out-of-state students should plan to cover nearly the full cost unless they receive merit scholarships or external funding.
Here’s the estimated COA for nonresidents living on campus during the 2025-2026 academic year:
| Expense Category | Estimated Cost |
| Tuition and Fees | $15,300 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition | $32,574 |
| Housing and Meals | $18,100 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,300 |
| Transportation | $700 |
| Personal Expenses | $1,600 |
| Total Estimated COA | $69,574 |
What Financial Aid and Scholarships Are Available for International Students?
UC San Diego does not offer need-based financial aid to international undergraduate students. That means international applicants are expected to demonstrate full financial responsibility for tuition, fees, housing, and living expenses for each year of study. However, there are still limited scholarship opportunities available through the university and outside sources.
Here’s a breakdown of what international students may be eligible for:
| Type of Aid or Scholarship | Offered by UCSD? | Notes |
| Need-Based Financial Aid | No | Not available for international undergraduates |
| UCSD Regents Scholarship | Yes, but limited | Merit-based; highly competitive; awarded to top 1% of admitted students |
| Chancellor’s Scholarship | Yes, but rare | Exceptional academic and leadership achievement |
| Departmental Scholarships | Yes, varies | Offered by individual majors, like Engineering or Biological Sciences |
| Outside/Private Scholarships | External) | Must be applied for independently; eligibility varies |
| On-Campus Jobs | Yes, with F-1 visa | Part-time employment allowed under visa regulations |
Most scholarships awarded by UCSD are merit-based and extremely limited in number. International students are not eligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA), Cal Grants, or UC Blue + Gold Plan. However, they may qualify for third-party scholarships from global organizations, foundations, or corporations that support international education.
Popular outside scholarship databases for international students include:
- IEFA.org (International Education Financial Aid)
- Scholarships.com
- EducationUSA
Eligibility Criteria for Scholarships
Here’s a breakdown of common eligibility criteria for major scholarship types:
| Scholarship Type | Who Is Eligible? | Key Requirements |
| Regents Scholarship | First-year and transfer applicants | Exceptional academic record; top 1-2% of admits |
| Chancellor’s Scholarship | U.S. citizens, select transfers | Academic excellence + demonstrated leadership and service |
| Departmental Scholarships | Varies by major (e.g. Engineering) | Must be declared in that major; sometimes GPA or project-based |
| Need-Based Grants (Cal/FAFSA) | California residents with financial need | Must file FAFSA and be eligible for state/federal aid |
| Outside/Private Scholarships | U.S. and international students | Varies by sponsor; often based on merit, background, or intended field |
| International Student Awards | Select UCSD departments | Portfolio-based, GPA, or research-focused; highly limited |
To be considered for UCSD merit scholarships, most first-year students just need to apply for admission by the November 30 UC deadline. There’s no separate scholarship application for major awards like the Regents—applicants are automatically considered based on their academic file.
Departmental awards may require:
- A declared major by sophomore year
- Strong GPA within the department
- Faculty recommendations or research involvement
- Submitting creative work (for arts/design-related majors)
International students are not eligible for federal or state-funded grants but may be awarded merit-based aid if their academic record or creative portfolio is exceptional.
Application Process for Financial Aid and Scholarships
Most merit-based scholarships don’t require a separate application, but need-based aid does, and the deadlines are strict. International students have a slightly different process but can still qualify for limited scholarships and external funding.
Steps for U.S. applicants:
- Complete your UC application by the standard deadline (Nov 30)
- Submit the FAFSA at studentaid.gov by March 2 using UCSD’s school code (001317)
- If you’re a California resident, ask your school counselor to send your Cal Grant GPA Verification Form to the state
- Watch for your financial aid package to appear in TritonLink around March or April
- No extra forms are needed for merit-based scholarships like the Regents or Chancellor’s—you’re automatically considered
Steps for international students:
- Apply by the same Nov 30 deadline
- You can’t file the FAFSA, but you may still qualify for limited merit-based awards, especially from your academic department
- Search and apply for external scholarships through platforms like IEFA, Scholarships.com, or EducationUSA
- After admission, check with the International Students & Programs Office for any updates on funding
Parental income, GPA, test scores (if submitted), and your overall UC application all factor into award decisions. Competitive awards like the Regents Scholarship go to the top 1-2% of applicants, based on academic performance and leadership. Departmental awards are sometimes offered after your first year, depending on GPA and involvement.
What Are the Tuition and Fees for International Students at UC San Diego?
Here’s the estimated tuition and mandatory fees for international undergraduates in the 2025-2026 academic year:
| Fee Type | Annual Cost (3 quarters) |
| Base Tuition and Student Services | $12,780 |
| Campus-Based Fees | ~$2,520 |
| Nonresident Supplemental Tuition | $32,574 |
| Total Estimated Tuition & Fees | $47,874 |
This total does not include housing, meals, books, transportation, or personal expenses. When you factor in living costs, the full cost of attendance for international students at UCSD is estimated at around $69,574 per year, according to the university’s financial aid office.
International students are not eligible for federal or state financial aid in the U.S., but they may receive limited merit-based departmental scholarships or bring in external funding from international organizations. Most are expected to show financial documentation as part of their visa process confirming they can cover the full cost.
How to Calculate Your Total Costs as a UC San Diego Student?
“So real cost is around $46k. Your out of pocket is ~ $11k and you need to come up with $5.5k in cash after loans”
Here’s how to calculate your total cost:
- Start with UCSD’s published COA for your residency status (California resident or nonresident).
- Adjust for your housing situation (on-campus, off-campus, or at home).
- Estimate indirect expenses, like books, transportation, and personal spending.
- Subtract grants, scholarships, and work-study from your total.
- Use your net cost to build a realistic budget for the year.
UCSD also offers a Net Price Calculator, which uses your actual income and academic data to estimate personalized costs. You can find it on their financial aid website.
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Top Tips from Our Expert
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Alyssa Mendoza, AP Coordinator and College Prep Specialist
Sources: UC San Diego, Reddit
