Rady is a young business school. UC San Diego founded it in 2001, with the aim of turning science and technology into businesses, which suits a campus next door to the Torrey Pines biotech cluster. Its building is on the east side of the La Jolla campus, and the Blue Line trolley now stops on campus. Most international students come for the one-year master's degrees in business analytics, finance and professional accountancy, or the full-time MBA.
La Jolla, California, United States
Official website: rady.ucsd.edu
UC San Diego
2001
Innovation and technology business
La Jolla
$55,000 – $72,000
International students, master's and MBA programmes
$22,000 – $28,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on rady.ucsd.edu before you apply.
MS Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 85
Master of Finance
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 85
Master of Professional Accountancy
Masters DegreeDuration
12 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 85
Full-Time MBA
Masters DegreeDuration
21 Months
Intake
Sep
Exam Score
GMAT/GRE, TOEFL: 85
A business school set up to commercialise science and technology.
Lab to Market, a course where MBA teams build startup plans.
Links with Torrey Pines biotech and San Diego tech firms.
Analytics and finance graduates join tech, biotech and consulting firms in Southern California.
MBA graduates often go into product management, business development and startups.
STEM-designated programmes allow up to three years of OPT.
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Rounds, Oct-Apr
The campus sits on bluffs above the Pacific, with Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Black's Beach below. The Blue Line trolley runs to downtown San Diego.
San Diego's weather is mild all year. Rent near the coast is high, so many students live in University City or further inland.
Form I-20 issued by UC San Diego
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
Rady admits in rounds from autumn to spring. International applicants should apply in the first or second round to leave time for the I-20 and visa. Each programme page lists its current deadlines.
Programmes start in September, with orientation in late summer.
It's the F-1 student visa. Get your I-20 from UC San Diego first (they need your deposit and bank documents), then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and attend the visa interview. Book the interview early in peak season.
Business analytics, finance, professional accountancy and the full-time MBA are the main programmes. The MBA needs work experience and a GMAT or GRE score, while the specialised master's degrees suit recent graduates. Expect IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 85.
Rady offers merit fellowships to many applicants, including international students, as part of the admission decision. Awards are partial.
