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College Comparison

UC San Diego vs Syracuse University: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

UC San Diego

La Jolla, CA

School

Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUC San DiegoSyracuse
Acceptance Rate24.5%wins41.7%
SAT Range (25th–75th)N/A1260–1430wins
ACT Range (25th–75th)N/A28–32
Tuition (Out-of-State)$46,042wins$63,061
Avg Net Price$11,750wins$41,026
Median Earnings (10 yr)$84,943wins$79,164
Graduation Rate87.6%wins81.3%
Retention Rate93.9%wins91.2%
Student–Faculty Ratio19:115:1wins
Total Enrollment33,787wins15,245

Verdict

Based on the data above, UC San Diego edges out Syracuse on 7 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

UC San Diego Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 24.5%
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $46,042
  • Avg Net Price: $11,750
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $84,943

Syracuse Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1260–1430
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 15:1

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