<p>This is what I have noticed about UCD vrs. UCI, UCSD, UCSB… Each school only has a ± deviation of less than 15 rankings. They are all relatively on the same level. Southern California has a population of more than twice that of northern California (some one find the stats). Naturally there should be 2x the number of smarter people in Southern California. People is Southern California who are rejected from UCLA or UCB tend to stay in Southern California with a galore of UC options. People in Northern California who get rejected from UCB or UCLA would much rather stay in Northern California. Keeping in mind there are only half as much higher IQ’ed people in Northern California so UCD, UCI, UCSD, UCSB should all generally be of the same level. Keep in mind this is a very generalized perspective. UCLA and UCB are not considered since they are so diverse geographically. UCR, UCSC, UCM are not considered since they fall in a much lower category.</p>