Computer Science

Tuition Information

2026-27 tuition and fees for new undergraduates who entered in fall 2026 (three quarters: fall, winter and spring): UC San Diego Financial Aid and Scholarships lists US$21,519 in tuition and fees for California residents (UC systemwide tuition and fees of US$15,588, campus fees of US$2,511, a US$3,195 health insurance fee that can be waived with equivalent cover, and a one-time US$225 enrollment services fee). Non-California residents, including international students, also pay US$39,270 in Nonresident Supplemental Tuition, for about US$60,789 a year (the registrar bills US$4,734 tuition, a US$462 student services fee and US$13,090 nonresident supplemental tuition each quarter, plus campus fees). The 2026-27 estimated nonresident cost of attendance is US$86,553 living on campus, adding housing of US$13,761, food of US$6,981, books and supplies of US$1,236, personal expenses of US$2,838 and transportation of US$948, or US$87,693 living off campus. New international students also pay a one-time US$200 visa administration fee. Under UC's Tuition Stability Plan, an entering class's tuition, student services fee and nonresident supplemental tuition stay flat for up to six years. International students cannot receive US federal or California state financial aid and must show they can cover all estimated costs to get a visa. Rates for the class entering in fall 2027 have not been published yet

Admission Requirements

• School and admission route: Jacobs School of Engineering, Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). All four CSE majors (computer science, computer engineering, artificial intelligence and computer science with a bioinformatics specialization) are selective. Computer Science is a selective (capacity-limited) major, so first-year applicants must choose it on the UC application and are selected for it through UC San Diego's holistic review and the number of places available. UC San Diego strongly recommends listing a non-selective alternate major on the UC application; if you are not admitted to your first-choice selective major you may be admitted to the alternate if space allows. Switching in later is hard: continuing students can apply once a year after finishing the screening courses with at least a C-, and places are awarded on a points system that also gives weight to California residency, first-generation status and Pell Grant eligibility
• Testing: test-blind. UC San Diego does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission or scholarship decisions; if you send them, they may only be used as an alternative way to meet minimum requirements or for course placement after you enrol
• English proficiency (needed if your native language is not English and your secondary education was not taught in English): TOEFL iBT 4.5 on the scale used from January 2026 (83 for tests taken before January 2026), IELTS Academic 7 or Duolingo English Test 115. AP English Language or English Literature scores of 3-5, or IB English A scores of 5-7 at higher level or 6-7 at standard level, are also accepted
• Academic requirements: a secondary school completion certificate that admits you to university in your own country and is equivalent to a US high school diploma, plus UC's 15 'A-G' college-preparatory courses (2 years of history/social science, 4 of English, 3 of mathematics with 4 recommended, 2 of laboratory science with 3 recommended, 2 of a language other than English with 3 recommended, 1 of visual and performing arts and 1 elective). Non-California residents, including international applicants, need at least a 3.4 GPA in A-G courses taken in grades 10 and 11 with no grade below C, and competitive applicants are well above the minimums. You answer 4 of 8 Personal Insight Questions (up to 350 words each) and rank up to four of UC San Diego's eight undergraduate colleges, which set your general-education requirements