University of California-San Diego: programs, outcomes and local jobs

University of California-San Diego at a glance

• 34,948

  students enrolled

• 12,071

  degrees and certificates a year

• 86%

  of students complete

  College Scorecard

• $12,470

  average net price a year

  Tuition $11,834 in state, $42,611 out of state

• $65,669

  median earnings, 6 years after entry

• $84,943

  median earnings, 10 years after entry

  90% working

Executive education programs and Career retraining programs listed on its site.

What students study

AI and data programs

Degrees and certificates awarded in 2024, by program area and level, from IPEDS completions.

The job market around University of California-San Diego

Professional jobs listed in the cities of San Diego County, where the college is.

• 3,881

  open professional jobs

• 261

  entry level

  26 say no experience is needed

• 10%

  ask for AI skills

  405 jobs

• 4.7%

  unemployment in San Diego County

  2026-09 · down 0.2 points from a year earlier

• $102,285

  median household income

  San Diego County

• 47%

  of workers are in professional jobs

  estimated 3.2% unemployment among them

Jobs that fit what students study here: most degrees are in engineering, biological sciences, computer & information sciences, which lead to engineering (1,482 open), operations (402 open), research (75 open), data & analytics (251 open), security (55 open), product (59 open).

Hiring most: General Atomics (374), Qualcomm (221), Qualcomm Inc/De (158), Apple (105), Northrop Grumman (93), Intuit (81), Viasat (81), Shield AI (79).

What they hire for: Engineering (1,482), Operations (402), Finance (272), Sales (259), Data & Analytics (251), Legal (152). Engineering jobs

Job search help near campus

Workforce board: San Diego Workforce Development Board.

• America`s Job Center of California-North County Coastal Career CenterOceanside · 760-666-6763 · Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm
• East County Career CenterEl Cajon · 619-319-9675 · Monday - Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm
• Metro Career CenterSan Diego · Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• North County Coastal Career CenterOceanside · Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• South Bay Career CenterChula Vista · 619-319-9675 · Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5 :00p.m.

American Job Centers are free, public career offices.

Similar colleges in California

• San Diego State UniversitySan Diego · 35,377 students
• California State University-Long BeachLong Beach · 35,924 students
• University of California-Los AngelesLos Angeles · 33,475 students
• University of California-BerkeleyBerkeley · 33,068 students
• California State University-NorthridgeNorthridge · 32,691 students
• University of California-DavisDavis · 32,253 students

All California colleges

Common questions

How big is University of California-San Diego?

University of California-San Diego enrolls about 34,948 students and is a public 4-year institution in La Jolla, California. It awards about 12,071 degrees and certificates a year.

What is the graduation rate at University of California-San Diego?

86% of students complete, from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS 2023 / Scorecard 2026-06).

What do University of California-San Diego graduates earn?

Median earnings of students who received federal aid are $65,669 six years after entry and $84,943 ten years after entry, from the College Scorecard.

Does University of California-San Diego offer AI or data science degrees?

Yes. University of California-San Diego awarded degrees or certificates in data science (master, doctorate) in 2024, from IPEDS completions by program.

Are there jobs near University of California-San Diego?

3,881 open professional jobs are listed in San Diego County, 261 of them entry level and 26 saying no experience is needed. General Atomics has the most openings.