Admit rate has ranged 47%–59% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
The University of San Diego (USD) blends rigorous academics with a sun-soaked Southern California lifestyle, offering a mid-sized private university experience with strong business and STEM programs. Known for its high retention rates and career-focused outcomes, USD attracts students who want a balanced college experience—academic challenge without cutthroat competition, and a vibrant campus life just minutes from the Pacific.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
Letters of recommendation
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Demonstrated competencies
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
5,671
In-state tuition
$59,486
Out-of-state tuition
$59,486
Acceptance Rate
52.4%
Student-Faculty Ratio
14:1
4-Year Graduation Rate
70%
Median Salary (6 years out)
$64,995
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$86,522
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.8×
Median debt at graduation
$22,940
Graduation rate
84%
First-year retention
91%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
80%
Pell (lower-income) share
41%
First-generation share
25%
Endowment / student
$125,907
Financial health
3.0 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$75,706
Business/Managerial Economics$69,338
Mechanical Engineering$67,324
Real Estate$63,005
Accounting and Related Services$61,962
Finance and Financial Management Services$61,069
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
9
Per 1,000 students
1.59
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
270
Summer high
75°F
Winter low
47°F
Annual rain
14.4"
Natural-hazard risk
Very High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
351
Scholarly works
22,384
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
2.3%
Bottom → top quintile
47%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at University of San Diego?
University of San Diego's acceptance rate is approximately 52% (San Diego, CA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does University of San Diego cost?
At University of San Diego, the average net price (after aid) is about $30,365 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend University of San Diego?
University of San Diego enrolls approximately 5,671 undergraduate students.
Where is University of San Diego located?
University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA.
Admissions
USD is moderately selective, with a 52.4% Acceptance rateThe share of applicants a college admits in a given year. A 10% acceptance rate means it admits about 1 in 10 applicants. ([7], [8], [10]). The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1190-1370 on the SAT or 26-31 on the ACT ([11], [12]). Applications are due January 15 for regular decision ([8]). Notably, 92% of first-year students return for their sophomore year ([26]), suggesting strong student satisfaction.
Business and biological sciences dominate as the most popular majors ([15]), but USD offers over 40 undergraduate majors ([13]). The Princeton Review highlights its 'strong curricula' and hands-on learning through 'projects, seminars, field trips, and study abroad' ([18]). With a 14:1 student-faculty ratio ([14]), USD emphasizes close mentorship—a selling point for students who want accessibility to professors without sacrificing research opportunities.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
International Business$57,995
Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation$52,107
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Campus life thrives through 180+ student organizations ([21]), though USD isn’t known as a party school. The Spanish Renaissance architecture and ocean views create a resort-like backdrop, but students insist the vibe is more 'academically engaged' than 'beach bum' ([22]). While some complain about limited Greek life ([24]), others find community through clubs, service trips, or outdoor activities like surfing and hiking ([21]).
USD delivers strong ROI: 70% graduate in four years ([26], [27]), and alumni earn a median salary of $64,995 six years post-graduation ([27]). An impressive 94% of graduates achieve 'positive career outcomes' (employment or grad school) within six months ([29]). Five years out, earnings jump to $82,964—nearly double the national average ([30]).
Tuition runs high at $33,690 Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. ([36]), but 81% of students receive financial aid ([32]). The average loan debt at graduation is $26,165 ([32])—lower than many private peers. USD meets 84% of demonstrated need for first-years ([33]), making it more accessible than sticker price suggests.
USD strikes a rare balance: rigorous enough to propel graduates into top careers ([29]), yet laid-back enough to enjoy San Diego’s outdoor culture. Its 92% retention rate ([26]) speaks to student happiness, while the four-year graduation rate (70%) outperforms many larger universities ([27]). For students who want a private school experience with California sunshine—and the salary bump to justify the cost—USD delivers.
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