A lot of students are often surprised by the fact that UCSD has different colleges on its campus. They may even wonder How Should I Rank the UCSD Colleges? UCSD is known for its distinctive college system, modeled after Oxford and Cambridge. Each of these eight colleges offers a unique experience with its own general education (GE) requirements, dormitories, and dining halls. Choosing the right college can significantly impact your academic and social experience, so let’s dive into the details of each.
1. Revelle College
Graduation Requirements
Focus: Classical education with an emphasis on humanities, math, and science.
Key Requirements:
Humanities sequence: A five-course series.
Calculus: Three courses (two for non-STEM majors).
Natural Sciences: Five courses for non-science majors.
Foreign language proficiency.
Fine arts and social sciences breadth courses.
Dorms
Revelle’s dorms are centrally located and offer a more traditional dorm setup with shared bedrooms and bathrooms. The proximity to the library is a major perk.
Dining Hall
64 Degrees: Known for customizable food options, including burgers, salads, and global cuisine.
Closest To
Natural Sciences Building: Hosts biology and chemistry courses.
York Hall: Contains lecture halls and laboratories for biology and chemistry.
Galbraith Hall: Includes lecture halls and performance spaces, often used for humanities and arts courses.
Mayer Hall: Home to physics classrooms and labs.
Urey Hall: Also dedicated to physical sciences, particularly chemistry and physics.
Best for Majors
Ideal for STEM majors, especially those in natural sciences, engineering, and pre-med tracks, due to the rigorous math and science requirements.
"A lot of people complain about Revelle's draconion writing classes and how terrible they are. I and many of my fellow Revellians complain too when we are taking HUM. However, after all the essays and readings, we all agree that we really appreciated the classes even though the essays were hell."
2. John Muir College
Graduation Requirements
Focus: Flexibility and individuality.
Key Requirements:
Writing sequence: Two courses.
General education: 14 courses spread across different disciplines but highly customizable.
Minimal STEM or foreign language requirements compared to other colleges.
Dorms
Muir’s dorms are modern and spacious, with excellent ocean views in some buildings. Its layout fosters a close-knit community.
Dining Hall
Roots: A dining hall featuring organic and vegan-friendly options, plus a smoothie bar.
Closest To
Applied Physics and Mathematics Building: Offers classrooms for applied physics and mathematics courses.
Center Hall: A central lecture hall used for various disciplines.
Galbraith Hall: Shared with Revelle, used for humanities and arts courses.
Mandeville Center: Facilities for visual arts and music courses.
Best for Majors
Great for humanities, social sciences, and arts majors, as the flexible requirements allow more room for electives and major-specific courses.
"Muir is generally considered the best overall among all the colleges- best food, close to everything, etc. Very few GEs compared to other colleges, you walk downhill to your classes, and you can get good views from your room if you're lucky."
3. Thurgood Marshall College
Graduation Requirements
Focus: Social justice and diversity.
Key Requirements:
Dimensions of Culture (DOC) sequence: A three-course series on diversity, equity, and social justice.
Broad general education with a balance of humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
Dorms
Marshall’s dorms are suite-style, offering more privacy with fewer shared bathrooms compared to traditional dorms.
Dining Hall
OceanView Terrace: A casual dining spot with a variety of international and comfort foods.
Closest To
Social Sciences Building: Houses classrooms for sociology, anthropology, and other social sciences.
Rady School of Management: Offers business and management courses.
Structural and Materials Engineering Building: Contains engineering classrooms and labs.
Best for Majors
Well-suited for social science and humanities majors, especially those interested in law, public policy, or activism.
"Marshall student here! I really liked it. DOC (the required writing class) is kinda boring, but it's not that bad. I liked the location a lot, and the dining hall (Oceanview Terrace) is a cool place to grab food."
4. Eleanor Roosevelt College (ERC)
Graduation Requirements
Focus: International and global perspectives.
Key Requirements:
Making of the Modern World (MMW) sequence: A five-course global history and culture series.
Foreign language proficiency.
Breadth courses in natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
Dorms
ERC’s dorms are modern and spacious, featuring stunning views of the Pacific Ocean in some areas. They are also close to the campus’s North Torrey Pines facilities.
Dining Hall
Café Ventanas: Praised for its international options, including fresh sushi and noodle bowls.
Closest To
Institute of the Americas Complex: Hosts international studies and political science courses.
Rady School of Management: Nearby for business-related courses.
Social Sciences Facility: Offers various social science courses.
Best for Majors
Ideal for global studies, international relations, and social sciences. ERC’s GE requirements make it less suited for STEM students.
"Your GE's are gonna make you sad/angry/disgruntled, but ERC has a pretty cool community, nice open living spaces that promote meeting people, and a really cool reslife (the people in charge of on campus housing for each college). ERC is where a decent amount of the parties go down, partially due to I-House, partially due to their proximity to the village."
5. Earl Warren College
Graduation Requirements
Focus: Ethics and society.
Key Requirements:
Ethics and Society sequence: Two courses.
American institutions requirement.
Breadth courses across various disciplines but relatively lighter compared to other colleges.
Dorms
Warren’s dorms are suite-style, offering a quieter atmosphere, which is great for students who prefer fewer distractions.
Dining Hall
The Bistro: A sit-down restaurant with Asian-inspired cuisine and a unique dining experience compared to other colleges.
Closest To
Jacobs Hall (Engineering Building): Central hub for engineering courses.
Computer Science and Engineering Building: Dedicated to computer science courses.
Atkinson Hall (Calit2): Focuses on information technology and telecommunications courses.
Best for Majors
Best for engineering and physical sciences majors, as its lighter GE requirements allow students to focus more on their demanding major courses.
"Warren's GE's are great only for Engineering Majors. Many agree Canyon Vista is the worst dining hall. The Residence Halls are very nice in Warren and have an abundance of singles. As for the apartments, they are not as nice as what most other colleges have. Location is not great as it is a bit isolated from the main part of campus. Recommended to take the shuttle or have a set of wheels."
6. Sixth College
Graduation Requirements
Focus: Culture, art, and technology.
Key Requirements:
CAT sequence: A three-course series blending cultural studies and digital technology.
Breadth courses in various disciplines with an emphasis on interdisciplinary learning.
Dorms
Sixth College recently moved into brand-new dorms in the North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood. These modern facilities are state-of-the-art, offering breathtaking views and communal spaces.
Dining Hall
The Market at Sixth College: A convenient grab-and-go dining spot with diverse and fresh options.
Closest To
Design and Innovation Building: Facilitates courses in design, entrepreneurship, and innovation.
North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood: Includes modern classrooms for interdisciplinary studies.
Best for Majors
Perfect for arts, communication, and technology majors, including those in interdisciplinary studies.
"Sixth college is objectively the best college; you will find very few people on campus who will disagree with this. It has the best location, access to the most restaurants, and has a rooftop garden and craft center, among other things."
7. Seventh College
Graduation Requirements
Focus: Interdisciplinary exploration and problem-solving.
Key Requirements:
Synthesis Program: A three-course sequence focused on addressing complex, real-world problems.
Flexible breadth requirements tailored to the student's interests.
Dorms
Seventh College also benefits from the new North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood, with sleek, modern dorms and plenty of study spaces.
Dining Hall
The Market at Seventh College: Shared with Sixth College, offering quick meals and snacks.
Closest To
Franklin Antonio Hall: Newly established, offering state-of-the-art classrooms for engineering and interdisciplinary courses.
Design and Innovation Building: Shared with Sixth College for design and innovation courses.
Best for Majors
Great for environmental studies, interdisciplinary studies, and innovation-focused fields, as the curriculum emphasizes broad, integrative learning.
"Easy GEs, especially the writing course. A distance away from the center of campus, but apartments are pretty worth the walk. Bistro, the dining hall, is one of the better dining halls, and is very useful in using up dining dollars fast. However, the Seventh Market has the best hot sandwiches, arguably one of the best food places on campus that use dining dollars. You may laugh now, but food is the reason why some people thrive and some people die."
8. Eighth College (Brand new as of 2024!)
Graduation Requirements
Focus: Engagement and community.
Key Requirements:
Critical Community Engagement (CCE) sequence: Four courses, including one upper-division course.
Emphasis on hands-on learning and addressing complex societal challenges such as structural racism, climate disruption, and economic disparities.
Dorms
Eighth College students live in the Theatre District Living & Learning Neighborhood, south of Revelle College.
Features brand new modern dormitories, including some of the tallest on the West Coast (up to 21 stories), designed to foster vibrant community interactions.
Dining Hall
While specific dining facilities for Eighth College aren't yet detailed because the building is new, students have access to various dining halls across campus. Nearby options include 64 Degrees at Revelle College and other campus-wide eateries.
Closest To
Theatre District: Provides facilities for theater and performance studies.
Galbraith Hall: Accessible for humanities and arts courses.
Revelle College Classrooms: Nearby for various general education courses.
Best for Majors
Ideal for social sciences, public health, environmental studies, and interdisciplinary majors.
The college’s focus on global and local community engagement complements any major aiming to address societal challenges.
"Eighth and Seventh are basically the same. Eighth has a slightly longer writing sequence that isn't guaranteed to be as easy of an A as Seventh. Eighth and Seventh are both far from the center of campus, but Eighth is generally closer to classes than Seventh is. Seventh has apartments for everyone; Eighth will have a combination of suites and apartments (though currently the only building open, Podemos, is entirely apartments)."
Sample UCSD College Rankings
Wondering how to rank the colleges? Well we provided some sample rankings below. It's important to note that these rankings are subjective and can vary based on individual preferences and academic goals. All UCSD colleges provide access to the university's diverse majors, and students can succeed in any field regardless of their college affiliation. When choosing a college, consider factors such as general education requirements, campus location, and community environment to find the best fit for your academic journey.
Engineer/CS
1. Warren
2. Sixth
3. Muir
4. Seventh
5. Eighth
6. Revelle
7. Marshall
8. Eleanor Roosevelt
STEM/Pre-Med/Public Health
1. Sixth
2. Revelle
3. Muir
4. Seventh
5. Eighth
6. Warren
7. Marshall
8. Eleanor Roosevelt
Humanities/Art
1. Muir
2. Sixth
3. Marshall
4. Revelle
5. Eleanor Roosevelt
6. Eighth
7. Seventh
8. Warren
Social Science/Political Science
1. Marshall
2. Eleanor Roosevelt
3. Muir
4. Sixth
5. Seventh
6. Eighth
7. Revelle
8. Warren
Final Thoughts
Choosing a college at UCSD depends on your academic goals, preferred living style, and personal interests. While all the colleges allow students to major in and take any available courses, their unique requirements, dorms, and dining experiences create distinct communities. Consider your major, learning style, and the kind of community you want to be part of when making your decision.