Business Economics

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: Rady School of Management with the Department of Economics (School of Social Sciences). This major is not on UC San Diego's selective-major list, so admitted first-year students who choose it on the UC application can start in the major.
• 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