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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.
Located in San Diego, CA and set in an urban environment, University of San Diego is a private university. This school uses a 4-1-4 calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 52%. The freshman retention rate at University of San Diego is 91% and the six-year graduation rate is 84%.
For freshmen, the application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is March 1.
Explore this school's profile to find out all the essential things about University of San Diego.
Quick Facts
5,851
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$61,340
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
84%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission. Check out some vital data about admission policy and requirements at University of San Diego.
In 2025, the school accepted 8,909 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is very difficult to get into. This renowned school with a rich history offers an unmatched learning experience to its students.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 4.02. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission.
Deadlines
Be sure to apply to this school by January 15. When filling out the application as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is March 1.
Retention Rate
The percentage of freshmen 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.
The freshman retention rate for University of San Diego was 91% in 2025, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
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 graduation rate at this institution stands at 84%, 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 learning more about its student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of San Diego in 2025 was 9,714.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 41% for that year. There was a total of 5,851 undergraduate students, including 361 international students. The school admitted a total of 345 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 3,059 male and 4,356 female full-time students in 2025, which is indicative of the importance this institution places on gender equality.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 397 Asian students and 270 Afro-American students in 2025. 1,576 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 436 identified with more than one race. The school also had 23 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 11 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 156 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. 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 fees.
In 2025, tuition amounted to $61,340 for all full-time domestic students. As University of San Diego is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Full-time students in 2025 needed to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,080.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to consider the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The estimated expense of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $1,080.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2025, the price of room and board at University of San Diego was $18,230 per academic year. The cost of a dorm room only at this school in 2025 came to $12,810 for one academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was $15,219.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 61,340 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,230 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,080 |
| Total Expense | $ 80,650 |
Financial Aid
There are different types of financial help: grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid you might get at University of San Diego.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 637 freshmen. The average amount of financial aid given to students was $54,501.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
2,947 students secured some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need ended up being 2,997. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution summed up to $21,367,153, and state $7,060,387. The students of University of San Diego received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $113,677,096, and external in the amount of $1,187,525.
$19,789
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Most students get non-need-based financial aid as Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the TEACH Grant.
1,649 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 365 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $21,367,153 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $6,287,793. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $26,713,783. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $835,114 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
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2025, this ratio at University of San Diego was 13:1. That means that there were 13 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 1,018. This number included 509 men and 509 women.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Check out some details about campus life at University of San Diego.
Its campus is 180 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Engaging with a variety of student organizations can enrich your educational experience and make it more rewarding.
This school has 180 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 14% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 20 for female students. The student organization that is most favored by students is Surfrider Foundation, followed by Asian Student Association and Honors Club. Other popular organizations among the students at University of San Diego are USD Pilates and Women in Business.
If you're interested in acting, you have the option to join a drama club. Interested in 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 comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates 24 hours a day. 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 everything most students need.
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 job fairs. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career.
Job Placement
Acquiring information about the potential income after graduation can help you decide if a specific school is the right one for your career aspirations.
The average base annual starting salary of the students who were employed within six months of graduation at this school is 71,145 USD.
$71,145
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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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 61,340 USD per academic year for University of San Diego.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for University of San Diego is 52%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of San Diego is 91%.
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.
