Student Enrollment

Current student body demographics and enrollment patterns at University of California-San Diego

La Jolla, CA

Total Enrollment

42,376

Currently enrolled students

Program Options

332

332 programs

Full-Time Students

32,852

940 part-time

Total FTE

42,631

Full-time equivalent students

Student-Faculty Ratio

19:1

Students per faculty member

What Is the Student Body Size?

Training Capacity & Scale

Large
Major vocational institution
42,376
Total Students
Size compared to other colleges:
200 1K 2K 5K+
Program Diversity 332
High diversity
~128 students per program
Training Capacity
High
Can handle large cohorts across multiple programs
Market Position
Major Player
Among largest colleges nationally
Resource Level
Extensive
Multiple campuses, labs, and equipment

What This Means

University of California-San Diego operates as a large college with 42,376 students across 332 career programs. This size typically offers extensive resources, diverse program options, and comprehensive career services.

With 42,376 students, University of California-San Diego is a large institution offering diverse educational programs and extensive facilities. The school offers 332 specialized programs designed for immediate workforce entry.

How Do Students Attend?

Attendance Status Distribution

Full-Time Students 32,852 (97.2%)
97.2%
Part-Time Students 940 (2.8%)
Total Students 33,792

Predominantly full-time students (97.2%), typical of traditional academic programs.

Full-Time
Part-Time

A majority of students (77.5%) attend full-time, with a significant part-time population balancing work and studies.

Who Are the Students?

Student Demographics

Gender Distribution

Gender Split
Women
51.7%
21,926 students
Men
48.3%
20,450 students

Race/Ethnicity Distribution

Primary Ethnic Group
Asian
30.6%
12,946 students
Asian
30.6% (12,946)
Hispanic/Latino
22.1% (9,348)
White
18.8% (7,946)
International Students
18.4% (7,816)
Two or More Races
5.8% (2,464)
Black/African American
1.8% (769)
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.1% (42)
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.1% (29)

Demographics Summary

Gender: Balanced gender distribution across 42,376 students

Largest Ethnic Group: Asian students make up 31% of the student body (12,946 students)

The student body reflects diverse backgrounds and demographics.

Interested in Academic Quality & Learning Environment?

Explore retention rates, student-faculty ratios, distance education options, and academic intensity on our dedicated Academics page.

View Academics Page

How Are Students Distributed by Level?

Undergraduate students

33,792 students

46% Men, 54% Women
32,852 Full-time 940 Part-time
Diversity Index: 77% • Minority Students: 62%

Graduate students

8,584 students

56% Men, 44% Women
7,864 Full-time 720 Part-time
Diversity Index: 72% • Minority Students: 27%

What Are the Attendance Patterns?

Full-Time Students

All Full-Time

40,716
All full-time students
19,472 men, 21,244 women
Diversity: 78%

FT Undergraduate

32,852
Full-time undergraduate
15,086 men, 17,766 women
Diversity: 77%

FT Degree-Seeking

32,852
Full-time degree/certificate-seeking
15,086 men, 17,766 women
Diversity: 77%

FT First-Time

6,986
Full-time first-time students
2,928 men, 4,058 women
Diversity: 76%

FT Continuing

25,866
Full-time continuing students
12,158 men, 13,708 women
Diversity: 77%

FT Transfer

3,138
Full-time transfer students
1,519 men, 1,619 women
Diversity: 77%

FT Continuing

22,728
Full-time other continuing
10,639 men, 12,089 women
Diversity: 77%

FT Graduate

7,864
Full-time graduate students
4,386 men, 3,478 women
Diversity: 72%

Part-Time Students

All Part-Time

1,660
All part-time students
978 men, 682 women
Diversity: 79%

PT Undergraduate

940
Part-time undergraduate
524 men, 416 women
Diversity: 78%

PT Degree-Seeking

935
Part-time degree/certificate-seeking
522 men, 413 women
Diversity: 77%

PT First-Time

19
Part-time first-time students
13 men, 6 women
Diversity: 72%

PT Continuing

916
Part-time continuing students
509 men, 407 women
Diversity: 77%

PT Transfer

73
Part-time transfer students
43 men, 30 women
Diversity: 75%

PT Continuing

843
Part-time other continuing
466 men, 377 women
Diversity: 78%

PT Non-Degree

5
Part-time non-degree seeking
2 men, 3 women
Diversity: 72%

PT Graduate

720
Part-time graduate students
454 men, 266 women
Diversity: 75%

Understanding Student Categories

First-Time: Students starting their first postsecondary program

Continuing: Students who previously enrolled and are returning

Transfer: Students who transferred from other institutions

Degree-Seeking: Students enrolled in certificate or degree programs

Non-Degree: Students taking courses without pursuing a formal credential

What Is the Diversity Picture?

Undergraduate students

6,141
White
606
Black/African American
8,537
Hispanic/Latino
11,598
Asian
3,986
International
Diversity Index: 77% Minority Students: 62%

Graduate students

1,805
White
163
Black/African American
811
Hispanic/Latino
1,348
Asian
3,830
International
Diversity Index: 72% Minority Students: 27%

Want to See Student Success & Outcomes?

Explore completion rates, transfer patterns, and detailed 8-year student outcome tracking on our dedicated Student Outcomes page.

View Student Outcomes

Student Life & Campus Experience

Diverse Student Community

Students from various backgrounds come together to learn career-focused skills in a supportive environment.

Flexible Scheduling

Many students balance work and family commitments with their studies through part-time and evening programs.

Career-Focused Learning

Students are goal-oriented, seeking practical skills and credentials that lead directly to employment opportunities.

AI-generated illustration of diverse students on a college campus with enrollment statistics, charts showing student demographics, attendance patterns, and campus life activities

Key Takeaways About University of California-San Diego's Student Body

Training Environment: Large institution with 42,376 students offering extensive programs and state-of-the-art facilities.
Study Patterns: Primarily full-time students (77.5%) in a traditional academic setting.
Academic Intensity: 42,631 FTE students indicates predominantly full-time academic commitment.
Learning Format: Traditional in-person education with online components for flexibility.
Academic Environment: Good student-faculty ratio (19:1) allows for meaningful instructor interaction.
Student Diversity: Highly diverse student body with excellent representation across ethnic and racial groups.
Learning Environment: Students benefit from career-focused education with hands-on training, experienced instructors, and support services designed to help them achieve their professional goals.
Community: The student body includes diverse learners from various backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where students can network and learn from each other's experiences.

Contact Information

Address

9500 Gilman Dr

La Jolla, CA 92093

Student Success

The student body at colleges often includes:

  • • Working adults seeking career changes
  • • Recent high school graduates
  • • Military veterans using education benefits
  • • Students upgrading skills in their field
  • • Individuals seeking fast-track credentials
0 of 3
+ Add school+ Add school+ Add school
Compare Now