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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.
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 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 December 1. The transfer application deadline is March 1.
To find out more about what University of San Diego has to offer to its students, read on for the latest data reported by this school.
Quick Facts
5,851
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$61,340
Tuition
13:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
84%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
Knowing as much as possible about the school's criteria for admission maximizes your chances of getting admitted. Here are the most important data you have to know about admission policy and requirements at University of San Diego.
In 2025, the school accepted 8,909 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 4.02. 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 submitting your application as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is March 1.
Retention Rate
The percentage of new students at a college or university who stay on for their second year is known as the freshman retention rate. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of San Diego was 91% in 2025, which is an outstanding 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. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 84%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the decision of which school is the best fit for you is not easy. You can better understand the culture and life of the school by getting to know more about the student body.
Main Student Body
In 2025, the school enrolled 9,714 students.
That year, the school had an out-of-state student body percentage of 41. 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
With a coeducational student body, the school had 3,059 male and 4,356 female full-time students in 2025.
Student Population Diversity
In order to promote a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of San Diego.
In 2025, out of the total number of students enrolled at the institution, the number of students of Asian origin was 397, while the number of African American students was 270. 1,576 undergraduate students at this school identified 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, as well as 11 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 156 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
The financial aspect is one of the most important things to think about before applying to any college or university. Here are some important facts on University of San Diego costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Wondering about tuition at University of San Diego? Here is what you need to know.
Tuition in 2025 was $61,340 for full-time domestic students. University of San Diego is a private institution, so tuition is the same for all the accepted students. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $1,080.
Books and Supplies
The estimated cost 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 $1,080.
Boarding
Before you apply to a college or university, you should, among other things, think about the price of a dorm room and cafeteria meals. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
The cost of room and board (on campus) per academic year at University of San Diego was $18,230 in 2025. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school added up to $12,810, according to the data from 2025. 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
Financial help for students comes in different forms: grants, loans, scholarships, or work-study programs. Check out some recent data to get the information about need-based and non-need-based aid available at University of San Diego.
According to the most recent data, 637 freshmen were awarded financial aid. The average financial aid package awarded to students came to $54,501.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
2,947 students gained some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was 2,997. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came 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 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.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 1,649 students overall (including freshmen) at University of San Diego in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 365 full-time freshman. 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 non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants 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.
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. According to the most recent information, there are 1,018 faculty members at this school. Out of that number, there were 509 male and 509 female faculty members.
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. Find out some information about students' life at University of San Diego.
Its campus spans 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 14 and female students 20. The student organization with the highest level of popularity is Surfrider Foundation, followed by Asian Student Association and Honors Club. Other popular student organizations at this school are USD Pilates and Women in Business.
For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. Interested in media and communication? University of San Diego publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of San Diego offers a number of services necessary for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
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 highly beneficial for your future career.
Job Placement
Understanding the potential salary after graduating can be of help in determining if a specific educational institution matches your professional 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.