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University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
The University of San Diego, commonly referred to as USD, is a private Catholic university located in San Diego, California. Established in 1949, USD is known for its stunning campus and strong academic programs. The university offers over 60 undergraduate programs, as well as a variety of graduate and professional degrees across several disciplines.
USD is consistently recognized as one of the top universities in the nation. It has been ranked as one of the best regional universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report. The university is particularly renowned for its business, engineering, law, and nursing programs. The School of Business Administration and the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering provide students with rigorous academic training and experiential learning opportunities to prepare them for successful careers in their respective fields.
On top of its academic excellence, USD boasts a vibrant and engaging campus life. With over 180 student-led clubs and organizations, there is something for everyone to get involved in. The university also places a strong emphasis on community service and social justice, encouraging students to make a positive impact in the world through various volunteer and service-learning opportunities. In addition, the beautiful location of the USD campus, which is just minutes away from the stunning beaches of San Diego, offers students a unique and enjoyable living and learning environment. Overall, the University of San Diego provides a well-rounded education that combines rigorous academics, hands-on experiences, and a commitment to social responsibility.
University of San Diego is a private university located in San Diego, CA and set in an urban environment. This school uses a 4-1-4 calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 46%. The freshman retention rate at University of San Diego is 90% and the six-year graduation rate is 82%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is December 1. For transfer students, the application deadline is March 1.
Find out more about what you can expect if you get into University of San Diego.
Quick Facts
5,725
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
46%
Acceptance Rate
$58,420
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
82%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, your chances of getting accepted will significantly increase. Here are the most vital information you need to know about admission at University of San Diego.
In 2024, the school accepted 7,458 new students. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, University of San Diego provides a superior educational experience.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 4.1. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance,.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by December 1. When filling out the application as a transfer student, the application deadline is March 1.
46%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The percentage of first-year students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. This piece of data is important as it can reveal to the prospective students how many freshmen liked the school enough to return to it as sophomores.
As reported in 2024, the freshman retention rate for University of San Diego was 90%, which is an outstanding retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. The six-year completion rate at this institution is 82%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
It is always challenging to figure out which school is best for you. You can get a better insight into a school's culture and life by finding out more about its student body.
Main Student Body
In 2024, the school enrolled 9,106 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 40. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 5,725, 352 of which were international students. 340 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,097 male and 4,217 female full-time students in 2024. 579 full-time graduate men and 997 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
The importance of student diversity cannnot be denied, when it comes to the overall feeling of inclusion and beloning among the students of any school. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Learn more about all the ethnic communities you might encounter at this institution.
In 2024, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 396, while the number of African American students was 257. 1,434 undergrads at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 423 as multirace. The school also had 19 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 14 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 162 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Before you send an application to any college or university, you should take into account the financial component. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some facts that can be useful if you were curious about University of San Diego estimated tuition price.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $58,420 in 2024. Since this is a private institution, tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2024 were obliged to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,066.
Books and Supplies
The estimated price of books and supplies for a college or university should also be taken into consideration as another significant financial element. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,062.
Boarding
Besides tuition, another cost to consider is the price of housing in the dorms and eating at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
At University of San Diego, the 2024 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $17,270. If you only needed a dorm room, it cost $12,200 for the 2024 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $14,733.
| Tuition | $ 58,420 |
| Room and Board | $ 17,270 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,062 |
| Total Expense | $ 76,752 |
Financial Aid
Grants, loans, scholarships, work-study programs: these are all different types of financial support for students. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of San Diego.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 746 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $50,241.
Need-based
Financial aid that a student can receive if they are determined to have financial need and meet other eligibility requirements is known as need-based aid.
2,904 students obtained some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 2,965. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $15,783,294, and state $6,407,018. The students of University of San Diego received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $104,110,904, and external in the amount of $1,231,900.
$19,562
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
1,621 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid at this school in 2024. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 446 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $15,783,294 while the state aid is $6,119,355. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $25,590,156. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $680,184 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
According to the most recent data, the student-faculty ratio at University of San Diego was 13:1: that means 13 students per one teacher, which is considered a good ratio. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,012. Out of that number, there were 510 male and 502 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
It is not all about learning and grades at University of San Diego: campus life is a crucial component of your educational experience. Find out some info about students' life at University of San Diego.
It has a campus size of 180 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
The number of student organizations and groups with open membership at this school is 180. That includes sororities and fraternities. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 13.7 and female students 20.8. The student organization that has the biggest membership is Student Finance Association, followed by Asian Student Association and Filipino Ugnayan Student Organization. Other popular organizations at University of San Diego are USD Pilates Club and Women in Business at USD.
There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. You have a passion for media and communication? University of San Diego publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of San Diego, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
There are 24-hour emergency phone and alarm devices. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a 24-hour security patrol. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Veteran's Affairs are available to the students of University of San Diego.
All in all, campus life at University of San Diego is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of San Diego.
Career Counselling
At University of San Diego, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
Job Placement
Finding out some information about the expected post-graduation salary can help you decide if a particular school suits your career objectives.
Within six months of graduation, this school's students can expect an average base annual starting salary of 71,250 USD.
$71,250
Average Starting Salary After 6 Months of Graduation
FAQ
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University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA.
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The overall full-time tuition per academic year for University of San Diego is 58,420 USD, based on the most recent data.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for University of San Diego is 46%.
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According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of San Diego is 90%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.