Skip to main content

Cost of Attendance & Budgets

Tuition & Fees

The tuition, fees, and charges posted here are estimated based on currently approved amounts by the Regents of the University of California and are subject to change . Quarterly budgets are based on full-time enrollment for the entirety of each term. Budgets will be adjusted if a student does not attend all blocks in the corresponding term.

Financial Aid Budgets

School of Medicine Budgets:

School of Pharmacy Budgets:

Health Sciences - Cost of Attendance Breakdown

Direct & Indirect Costs

The average, estimated educational costs for the academic year, also called Cost of Attendance (COA) — this includes:

  • Direct Costs: Charges included in the cost of attendance that the student pays directly to the institution. Actual charges may vary by student. For example, students may have different housing options.
  • Indirect Costs: Estimated expenses in the cost of attendance that are not paid directly to the institution.

Categories of Costs

Estimated Cost of Attendance amounts are subject to change. Each portion of a student's individual cost of attendance is allocated to the categories listed below:

  • Systemwide Tuition and Fees: Systemwide tuition and fees are a direct cost and include Tuition, the Student Services Fee and (if applicable) Nonresident Supplemental Tuition will be assessed on an annual basis. For a full breakdown of tuition and fee amounts, please visit the UC San Diego Fees website.
  • Campus-based Fees: This is a direct cost. These fees help fund a variety of student-related services, such as student government, student public transportation, building improvements, etc. Campus-based fees are established, increased or renewed by student vote in campus elections. For a full breakdown of tuition and fee amounts, please visit the UC San Diego Fees website.
  • Health Fees: This is a direct cost. It is a charge billed to the student’s university student account, unless the student applies for and is approved for a waiver. This amount reflects the annual charge for the UC Student Health Insurance Plan (UC SHIP), which covers an academic year.
  • One-time document fee: This is a direct cost. It is a one-time charge billed to the student’s university student account for all new Undergraduate, Graduate, and Professional domestic and international students.
  • Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment: This is an indirect cost. It is an estimated average of the cost of books and school supplies (e.g., textbooks, exam study materials, etc.) while attending school.
  • Food and Housing
    • Food and Housing (Living expenses) includes housing fees or rent, utilities, telephone, meals, and groceries. The available housing types for Health Sciences students are as follows:
    • On/Off Campus Housing
      • For students with a recognized contract through UC San Diego Housing and who pay costs via your student account. This is a direct cost. For students who sign a lease and typically pay rent on a month-to-month basis directly to the leasing entity, this is an indirect cost as it is not charged to the student’s university student account.
    • Living with Parents
      • A student who is living with a relative, usually a parent, is considered to be living at home. This expense is an indirect cost as it is not charged to the student’s university student account. Please note: The amount of grants and scholarships awarded are subject to change and may be prorated based on a student’s actual budget type. Changes to qualifying information or revisions of federal, state, or institutional policy may result in updates to aid eligibility and adjustments of financial aid offer.
    • Miscellaneous Personal Expenses
      • This is an indirect cost. It is an estimated average of the cost of incidental expenses such as personal hygiene, laundry, clothing, and reasonable entertainment.
    • Transportation Expenses
      • This is an indirect cost. It is an estimated average of transportation costs between campus, residences, location of rotation, and traveling to and from home on breaks, local transportation costs, etc., while attending school.

Budgeting For Off-Campus Housing In Southern California

Our on/off campus housing budget has been derived by, 1) student-reported rent averages in and around the neighborhoods surrounding UC San Diego's campus and, 2) the US Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI. As a student, you are expected to live modestly and within the set budget for the year. Further information about off-campus housing can be found on the UCSD Off-Campus Housing website. In addition, a Market Comparison of the surrounding apartment complexes, can be found on the Housing Dining Hospitality FAQ page.

Licensure & Certification Disclosures

University of California programs for professions that require licensure or certification are intended to prepare the student for California licensure and certification requirements. Admission into programs for professions that require licensure and certification does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or certificate. Licensure and certification requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the University of California and licensure and certification requirements can change at any time.

The University of California has not determined whether its programs meet other states' educational or professional requirements for licensure and certification. Students planning to pursue licensure or certification in other states are responsible for determining whether, if they complete a University of California program, they will meet their state's requirements for licensure or certification. This disclosure is made pursuant to 34 CFR §668.43(a)(5)(v)(C).