University of San Diego
About University of San Diego
Overview, location, and what makes it stand out
USD is a private Catholic university in San Diego, California, on a hilltop overlooking the city and the Pacific Ocean. It offers programs in business, law, nursing, and the liberal arts with a beautiful Spanish Renaissance-style campus.
Founded
1949
Location
San Diego, California
Students
9,534
Institution
Private
Known For
Key Stats
A quick snapshot of what matters most
Acceptance Rate
52.4%
Moderately selective
Graduation Rate
83.7%
Above national average
Tuition
$59,486
Per year
Avg Net Price
$30,365
After financial aid
SAT Average
Not Considered
Test-blind. Grades and essays decide
Median Earnings
$86,522
10 years after enrollment
Admissions
How competitive is getting in?
Selectivity
Selective
52.4 out of 100 applicants get in
How to Apply
Test Policy
Test Blind
Application Fee
$55
Early
Nov 1
Regular
Jan 15
With a 52.4% acceptance rate, University of San Diego admits most students who meet the academic standards. Focus on putting together a complete, thoughtful application.
Academics
How strong is the academic experience?
Student Success
Above Average
83.7% complete their degree within six years
Retention
91.4%
4-Year Grad
67%
6-Year Grad
80%
Teaching Quality
13:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
Full-Time
54.5%
$/Student
$18.7K
Class Size
Medium
67% graduate in 4 years, and 91.4% of freshmen return for year two. The retention rate suggests students are happy with their experience.
Tuition & Costs
What will you actually pay?
Tuition & Fees
$59,486
Annual Tuition
Tuition and mandatory fees only, does not include housing or meals
Room & Board
$19,918
Books & Supplies
$1,062
Total Cost of Attendance
$78,720
After Financial Aid
$30,365
Average Net Price
Average amount students actually pay after grants and scholarships
Net Price (family income <$30K)
$15,586
Receive Grants
20.9%
Take Loans
32.4%
The total cost of attendance runs about $78,720/yr, including $19,918 for room and board. After financial aid, the average student pays $30,365.
Financial Aid
Who gets aid and what happens after
Financial aid comes in two forms: grants and scholarships (free money you don't repay) and loans (borrowed money you pay back after graduating). Here's how students at University of San Diego fund their education.
While in School
20.9%
Get Grants
Free money
32.4%
Take Loans
Must repay
$70,085
Median Family Income
After Graduation
$22,940
Median Debt at Graduation
Total federal loan balance when students graduate
$243/mo
Monthly Payment
0%
LowDefault Rate
Only 32.4% of students take out federal loans, and those who do graduate with a median of $22,940. Many students here manage to minimize borrowing.
Student Body
Diversity, gender, and enrollment
From gender balance and racial diversity to age and background, here's a look at who attends University of San Diego.
Gender
56.5%
Female
44%
Male
Female to Male Ratio
Race & Ethnicity
Enrollment
5,671
Undergraduate Students
Student Profile
3,863
Graduates
24.9%
First-Gen
20 yrs
Avg Age
3.9%
Age 25+
Women make up the majority at 57% of the student body. 24.9% are first-generation college students. 6.4% international students add diversity to the campus.
Campus Life
What it's like to be a student here
Campus Setting
City: Large
Campus Quick Facts
5,671
Students
private
Institution
Medium
Campus Size
R2 Research
Classification
What This College Offers
4-1-4 calendar
Study Abroad
Yes
AP Credit
No
Teacher Cert
Yes
ROTC
Yes
Evening College
No
Online Programs
Yes
Job Placement
Yes
Career Counseling
Yes
Sports & Athletics
How seriously this college takes sport
University of San Diego fields 12 varsity teams with 499 student athletes, about 9% of the student body.
Division
NCAA
Division I-FCS
Conference
West Coast
The league its teams compete in
Varsity Sports
12
Biggest: Rowing
Student Athletes
499
9% of the student body
Athletes by Gender
51% / 49%
252
Men
247
Women
8
Men's Teams
8
Women's Teams
Biggest Teams
Every Varsity Team
After Graduation
What can you earn with this degree?
How much do graduates of University of San Diegoearn, and what do they study? Here's a look at outcomes and popular programs.
Earnings Trajectory
$86,522
Median Earnings · 10 Years After
Popular Programs
Top 6Finance and Financial Management Services
$65K
175 grads
1yr Earnings
Business Administration, Management and Operations
$51K
162 grads
1yr Earnings
Real Estate
$54K
125 grads
1yr Earnings
Psychology, General
$36K
111 grads
1yr Earnings
Marketing
$56K
93 grads
1yr Earnings
Communication and Media Studies
$41K
92 grads
1yr Earnings
Graduates start at $65K six years out, climb to $66K by year eight, and reach $87K by year ten. That upward trajectory shows the degree keeps paying off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about University of San Diego
What is the acceptance rate at University of San Diego?▾
How much does University of San Diego cost?▾
What is the graduation rate at University of San Diego?▾
How much do University of San Diego graduates earn?▾
Data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard Some figures may reflect prior academic years. Our editorial team reviews and updates college profiles to ensure accuracy. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.