University of San Diego (USD)

Private nonprofit four-year university in San Diego, CA that costs an average of $29,539 a year after financial aid, admits 52% of applicants and graduates 81% of full-time students.

Net price / year
$29,539
Acceptance rate
52%
Graduation rate
81%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$93,069

Private nonprofitLarge city5,671 undergraduates

Cost of USD

Total cost of attendance (per year)$83,503
Tuition and fees, in-state$62,420
Housing and food (on campus)$20,590
Books and supplies$1,080
Average net price after aid$29,539

Net price by family income

Family incomeAverage net price / year
$0–30,000$16,814
$30,001–48,000$17,381
$48,001–75,000$21,109
$75,001–110,000$24,962
$110,001+$52,698

Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with USD's net price calculator ↗.

Admissions

Acceptance rate52%
Test scoresNeither required nor recommended

Graduation, earnings and debt

Graduation rate81%
First-year retention91%
Median earnings 6 years after enrolling$71,073
Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$93,069
Rank in California (earnings)21st of 129 similar colleges
Median debt of graduates$21,250
Typical monthly loan payment$242 (10-year plan)
Students with Pell grants28%
Students with federal loans34%

Majors and programs at USD

Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.

Bachelor's degree programs (41)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Computer Science99$88,462$21,000
Mechanical Engineering104$81,593$19,000
Accounting and Related Services107$75,812$21,000
Finance and Financial Management Services361$71,135$20,898
Economics44$70,897$19,250
Real Estate260$65,952$19,500
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology37$65,140—
International Business86$64,754$25,526
Business Administration, Management and Operations307$64,129$19,500
Marketing206$60,568$19,250
International Relations and National Security Studies56$58,963$23,000
Political Science and Government147$50,930$20,717
Natural Resources Conservation and Research69$45,494$14,250
Psychology216$45,364$20,593
Communication and Media Studies173$44,679$21,354
Biology147$44,375$21,403
English Language and Literature49$43,413$24,625
Neurobiology and Neurosciences137$41,561$21,250
Sociology69$38,621$19,500
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics40$24,283—
Anthropology10——
Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation40——
Area Studies5——
Chemistry16——
Data Analytics60——
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft10——
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering60—$25,250
Engineering31——
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies6——
Fine and Studio Arts34——
History31——
Industrial Engineering57——
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities32——
Mathematics19——
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies———
Music6——
Philosophy21——
Physics17——
Religion/Religious Studies1——
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas———

Post-baccalaureate certificate programs (1)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Legal Support Services—$59,773—

Master's degree programs (37)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Criminal Justice and Corrections241$140,376$19,494
Security Science and Technology95$128,784$30,904
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing147$114,710$130,185
Business Administration, Management and Operations256$110,881$46,407
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management100$109,498$48,596
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies62$104,638$71,840
Medical Illustration and Informatics129$90,913$55,546
Taxation13$78,809—
Education115$75,107$33,550
Data Analytics62$72,123$45,839
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions64$65,416$112,776
Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology114$64,430$78,398
Educational Administration and Supervision71$61,842$33,925
Curriculum and Instruction105$59,589$50,805
Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution76$58,688$48,554
Accounting and Related Services35——
Applied Mathematics81——
Computer and Information Sciences85—$37,000
Data Science103—$36,409
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft13——
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology1——
Education, Other———
Educational/Instructional Media Design32—$14,764
Engineering, Other———
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering15——
Homeland Security5——
Human Services35——
International Relations and National Security Studies48——
Legal Professions and Studies, Other10——
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods4——
Natural Resources Conservation and Research8——
Real Estate59——
Special Education and Teaching———
Student Counseling and Personnel Services———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas———
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language8——

Doctoral degree programs (3)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing17$124,211—
Educational Administration and Supervision46$119,004$135,310
Education, Other20——

Professional degree programs (3)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Law473$89,107$140,720
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies———
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing78—$126,285

Graduate certificate programs (6)

ProgramGraduates (2 yrs)Earnings after 1 yrMedian debt
Legal Support Services240$54,072—
Basic Skills and Developmental/Remedial Education———
Education, Other———
Educational Administration and Supervision2——
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing1——
Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language———

Similar colleges in California

CollegeCityNet price / yrAcceptanceEarnings
University of San FranciscoSan Francisco$30,49662%$94,613
Santa Clara UniversitySanta Clara$36,11648%$117,193
Loyola Marymount UniversityLos Angeles$50,51845%$86,034
Chapman UniversityOrange$46,70865%$80,694
Stanford UniversityStanford$12,3073.6%$125,340
California Baptist UniversityRiverside$24,13885%$67,633
Pepperdine UniversityMalibu$48,06563%$89,410
Biola UniversityLa Mirada$32,53074%$64,126

All colleges in California →

About USD

TypePrivate nonprofit four-year university
LocationSan Diego, CA
SettingLarge city
Undergraduates5,671
Student-to-faculty ratio13 to 1
AccreditorWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
Websitesandiego.edu ↗

Frequently asked questions

What is USD's acceptance rate?

University of San Diego admits 52% of applicants.

How much does USD cost per year?

The full cost of attendance is $83,503 a year (tuition and fees: $62,420). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $29,539 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $16,814.

How much do USD graduates earn?

Former students earn a median of $93,069 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 21st of 129 similar colleges in California. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer science ($88,462 a year after graduation).

What is USD's graduation rate?

81% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 91% of first-year students return for a second year.