Overview
San Diego, CA University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year college located in San Diego, California. There are currently 5,569 undergraduates at USD and the school’s acceptance rate is 53%. The tuition at USD is $54,554.
USD is a Roman Catholic school. That means that the administration is affiliated with the Roman Catholic faith. Classes may be designed with religious principles in mind, or some schools may even incorporate prayer into their schedule. Other schools with a religious affiliation may not be as active in their incorporation of the faith. It's a good idea to ask an admissions officer or current student what role faith has at USD to help you make an educated decision.
University
City
SupplementalEssay
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$75,767
$46,042
$29,725
Cost Breakdown
Estimated Cost:
$75,767for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
The sticker price at USD is $75,767. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any changes in your financial situation, into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at USD would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
University of San Diego Financial Aid
Students who are applying for financial aid at University of San Diego need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
The FAFSA code for University of San Diego is 010395.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out our How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at USD
If you reside in California and are considering USD, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarships
Pell Grants at University of San Diego
19% of students at University of San Diego receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to University of San Diego.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
USD students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
53%
Does USD have a supplemental essay?
Yes, applicants to University of San Diego will have to write a supplemental essay in order to complete their application. Luckily, we have a guide to help you through that essay prompt and stand out in the application process.
USD Supplemental Essay Guide
Is USD test-optional?
University of San Diego is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at USD?
Students must apply by December 1 to enroll at USD during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
13:1
Graduation Rate
83%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
38%
38% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
13%
13% of graduates
Social Sciences
10%
10% of graduates
Engineering
10%
10% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
4%
4% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
4%
4% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
1%
1% of graduates
Architecture
1%
1% of graduates
Physical Sciences
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Philosophy & Religious Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
5,569
Pell Grant 18%
Undergrad Students Over 25 5%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 2%
Percent Male / Female 44% / 56%
Ethnic Diversity at USD
47% White
24% Hispanic
8% Multiracial
8% Asian / Pacific Islander
6% International / Non-Citizen
4% Black
3% Unknown
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$86,522
Median Debt $22,940
Debt 10 years after graduation $243
Graduation Rate 83%
What is the graduation rate at University of San Diego?
83% of students who start at University of San Diego end up finishing their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 25% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of University of San Diego go on to earn?
10 years after starting school at University of San Diego, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $86,522. This is $36,131 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at USD take out in loans?
Graduates of USD have to take out a median of $22,940 in federal student loans. This is $9,440 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
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