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College Comparison

University of Minnesota vs UC San Diego: Which is Better?

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

School

University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, MN

School

UC San Diego

La Jolla, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricU of MinnesotaUC San Diego
Acceptance Rate77.0%24.5%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1310–1480winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)27–31N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$36,402wins$46,042
Avg Net Price$17,139$11,750wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$69,020$84,943wins
Graduation Rate84.8%87.6%wins
Retention Rate90.9%93.9%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio16:1wins19:1
Total Enrollment30,46933,787wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, UC San Diego edges out U of Minnesota on 6 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.

U of Minnesota Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1310–1480
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $36,402
  • Student–Faculty Ratio: 16:1

UC San Diego Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 24.5%
  • Avg Net Price: $11,750
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $84,943
  • Graduation Rate: 87.6%

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