Colleges in La Jolla, California
2 colleges and universities — federal Scorecard data.
There are 2 colleges and universities in La Jolla, California (1 Public, 1 Private nonprofit). The figures below are pulled from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — the same federal dataset colleges are required to report to.
Across all 2 institutions, the median net price after grants and scholarships works out to about $12,470 per year, the median 6-year graduation rate is 86.1%, schools that report admissions data accept a median 27% of applicants.
The median net price in La Jolla runs about $8,241 lower than the California statewide median of $20,711.
Whether you're comparing in-state public tuition, looking for a private nonprofit with strong outcomes, or trying to find the right program in La Jolla, the table below lets you sort every institution side-by-side on cost, admissions, graduation rate, and size.
Median net price
$12,470
After aid
Median grad rate
86.1%
6-year
Median admission rate
27%
Median enrollment
34,948
Undergrad
All colleges in La Jolla
Sorted by enrollment.
| School | State | Type | Net price | Grad rate | Admission | Size | Data | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA | CA | Public, 4-year | $12,470 | 86.1% | 27% | 34,948 | Complete | |
| Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute La Jolla, CA | CA | Private nonprofit, 4-year | Not available | Not available | Not available | Not available | Missing |
By institution type
Public (1)
Public colleges in La Jolla are state- or locally-funded institutions that typically offer lower in-state tuition and serve a broad mix of residents and commuters.
- University of California-San DiegoNet price: $12,470Grad: 86.1%
Private nonprofit (1)
Private nonprofit colleges in La Jolla are mission-driven institutions — often religiously affiliated or research-focused — that reinvest tuition into academics and aid rather than distributing profit.
- Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery InstituteNet price: Not availableGrad: Not available
Top programs in La Jolla
Most-completed programs across La Jolla colleges, weighted by enrollment.
- Biological sciences20.6% of degrees
- Interdisciplinary16.6% of degrees
- Engineering11.6% of degrees
- Social sciences9.4% of degrees
- Psychology9.1% of degrees
- Computer science7.3% of degrees
- Business4.8% of degrees
- Mathematics3.9% of degrees
Frequently asked questions about colleges in La Jolla
Q.How many colleges are in La Jolla, California?
There are 2 colleges and universities in La Jolla, California that report to the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard — 1 Public, 1 Private nonprofit.
Q.What is the largest college in La Jolla?
By undergraduate enrollment, University of California-San Diego is the largest institution in La Jolla with roughly 34,948 undergraduates.
Q.What is the cheapest college in La Jolla?
Based on average net price after aid, University of California-San Diego is the most affordable institution in La Jolla at $12,470 per year.
Q.Which La Jolla college has the highest graduation rate?
University of California-San Diego reports the highest 6-year graduation rate among La Jolla institutions at 86.1%.
Q.What is the average tuition in La Jolla?
The median net price across all 2 colleges in La Jolla is $12,470 per year after grants and scholarships.
Q.What are the most popular college majors in La Jolla?
Across La Jolla colleges, the most-completed programs by share of degrees awarded are Biological sciences, Interdisciplinary, Engineering.
Q.Are there community colleges in La Jolla?
Yes — La Jolla includes 1 public institutions, many of which offer 2-year associate degrees and transfer pathways to 4-year programs.
Other cities in California
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS. Medians are computed across institutions in La Jolla that report each metric. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with each institution.