Federal
Federal Pell Grant
Up to $7,395 a year (2026–27)
Who qualifies: undergraduates with financial need, based on the FAFSA. It never has to be repaid.
How: file the FAFSA.
Official rules →Paying for college · La Jolla, CA
How students pay for UC San Diego
Sticker price $41,664 a year. After grants, the average student pays $14,794, and what you pay depends on your family's income: anywhere from $9,229 to $32,338.
- 27%admitted
- 34,948undergraduates
- 86%graduate
- 56%get a grant from the school
What it costs, by family income
Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, paying in-state tuition. Tap your bracket.
Out-of-state tuition is $54,939 a year versus $17,337 for California residents, so non-residents usually pay far more than these figures.
Where the money comes from
Share of first-year students receiving each type of aid, and the average amount.
56%grant from UC San Diegoavg $11,334
40%Federal Pell Grantavg $5,730
55%state grantavg $11,710
28%federal student loanavg $4,057
Grants and scholarships you can apply for
State grant · California
Cal Grant A
Up to $15,588 a year at a UC campus and $6,838 at a CSU campus (2026–27 tuition awards)
Who qualifies: California residents who meet the income, asset and minimum-GPA limits.
How: File the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application and submit your GPA by the 2 March priority deadline.
Official rules →State grant · California
Middle Class Scholarship
Varies: covers part of the cost left after other aid at UC and CSU
Who qualifies: California residents (or AB 540 students) at a UC or CSU campus with family income and assets up to $250,000 each.
How: Automatic with the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application by 2 March.
Official rules →From the school
UC San Diego grants and scholarships
56% of first-years get one · average $11,334
Most need-based aid comes automatically with your FAFSA. Merit and departmental scholarships often have their own deadlines.
UC San Diego financial aid office →State grants follow your home state, not the school's: check your own state's programs if you are coming from elsewhere.
Living in La Jolla
| Studio | $2,600/mo |
|---|---|
| One-bedroom | $2,780/mo |
| Two-bedroom, shared | $1,680/mo each |
HUD FY2027 Fair Market Rents, campus ZIP 92093. Campus housing is often cheaper in the first year.
Working while you study
$16.90/hour minimum wage in California
15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year ≈ $7,605 before tax. That covers about 5 months of a shared room.
Minimum wage: statewide since 1 January 2026; many cities set a higher local minimum. Ask the financial aid office whether you qualify for Federal Work-Study.
After graduation
$13,000median federal debt≈ $148/month over 10 years
$96,197median earnings10 years after enrolling
86%graduate within 6 yearsfirst-time students
Close the gap without another loan
Since July 2026 Parent PLUS loans are capped, so more families are left with a gap after aid. Students use My Study Fund to collect monthly support from family, friends and mentors: 20 people giving $25 a month is $6,000 a year, and you receive every dollar.
Questions students ask about paying for UC San Diego
How much does UC San Diego really cost after financial aid?
The average student who received aid paid $14,794 a year after grants and scholarships. By family income it ranges from $9,229 to $32,338. The full cost of attendance before aid is $41,664.
Does UC San Diego give scholarships and grants?
Yes. 56% of first-year students received a grant from UC San Diego itself, averaging $11,334. 40% received a Federal Pell Grant (average $5,730).
How much is rent near UC San Diego?
HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for the campus ZIP code (92093) is $2,780 a month for a one-bedroom and $3,360 for a two-bedroom, about $1,680 each when shared.
Can I work part-time while studying at UC San Diego?
Yes. The minimum wage in California is $16.90 an hour; 15 hours a week over a 30-week academic year earns about $7,605 before tax.
How much debt do UC San Diego graduates have?
The median federal debt at graduation is $13,000, about $148 a month on a 10-year plan. Median earnings ten years after enrolling are $96,197.
Sources
U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (release 10152026) and IPEDS (SFA2223 student financial aid, first-time full-time students); HUD FY2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents; state and federal program pages linked above, checked 2026-10-28. My Study Fund is not affiliated with University of California-San Diego. How these pages work.
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