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UCLA vs UC San Diego

University of California, Los Angeles and University of California, San Diego are close in cost for Indian students. Here's how they compare on fees, living costs, programs and funding.

  • UCLA: ₹1.09 crore – ₹1.38 crore
  • UC San Diego: ₹1.08 crore – ₹1.37 crore
  • UC San Diego cheaper by ≈ ₹0.9 lakh
  • 6 shared programs

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Quick answer

UCLA or UC San Diego: which is better for Indian students?

UC San Diego costs less: about ₹1.08 crore – ₹1.37 crore in total versus ₹1.09 crore – ₹1.38 crore for UCLA — a difference of roughly ₹0.9 lakh. UCLA is known for Samueli engineering, Anderson business and Fielding public health; UC San Diego for Jacobs School of Engineering and data science. Both offer Computer Science, Data Science and Electrical & Electronics Engineering, so compare those program pages side by side.

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Official sources: University of California, Los Angeles — official website · University of California, San Diego — official website

UCLA vs UC San Diego

Total cost
UCLA: ₹1.09 crore – ₹1.38 crore · UC San Diego: ₹1.08 crore – ₹1.37 crore
Location
UCLA: Los Angeles, CA · UC San Diego: La Jolla, CA
Type
UCLA: Public · UC San Diego: Public

Side by side

UCLA vs UC San Diego: the numbers

UCLA vs UC San Diego: the numbers
ItemUCLAUC San Diego
CityLos Angeles, CALa Jolla, CA
TypePublicPublic
Known forSamueli engineering, Anderson business and Fielding public healthJacobs School of Engineering and data science
Tuition$30,000 – $45,000 a year$30,000 – $45,000 a year
Living costs used$26,500 a year$26,000 a year
Total in ₹₹1.09 crore – ₹1.38 crore₹1.08 crore – ₹1.37 crore
Programs we coverComputer Science, Data Science, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Public HealthComputer Science, Data Science, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering
Official websiteucla.eduucsd.edu

How to decide

Choosing between them

Pick UCLA if…

You want Samueli engineering, Anderson business and Fielding public health and life in Los Angeles.

Pick UC San Diego if…

You want Jacobs School of Engineering and data science and life in San Diego.

Cost

UC San Diego saves about ₹0.9 lakh over the program on our figures.

Your program

Compare the Computer Science curricula, electives and outcomes.

Living costs

Living costs in each city

Living costs in each city
CityRoom a monthYearly budget
Los Angeles$1,000 – $1,600$23,000 – $30,200
San Diego$1,000 – $1,500$23,000 – $29,000

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

Still have a question?

Ask a counsellor directly — we reply on WhatsApp during working hours (Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST).

UC San Diego, by about ₹0.9 lakh in total on our figures (₹1.08 crore – ₹1.37 crore vs ₹1.09 crore – ₹1.38 crore).

Neither is better for everyone. UCLA is known for Samueli engineering, Anderson business and Fielding public health; UC San Diego for Jacobs School of Engineering and data science. Compare the specific program, location and cost.

Yes — lenders fund both. Most families borrow 70–90% of the total cost.

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