University of San Diego (USD) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About University of San Diego
Perched above the bay, this hilltop campus blends Spanish-style architecture, palm courtyards, and ocean light. The university is known for a liberal arts foundation with strengths in business, engineering, the sciences, health fields, and law. Seminars and hands-on projects shape a thoughtful academic pace, backed by advising, tutoring, writing help, wellness care, and well kept libraries, labs, studios, and athletic spaces. It's the kind of place where sunsets linger and conversations do too.
Life here feels active and service minded, rooted in a Catholic heritage that invites reflection yet welcomes many perspectives. Clubs, faith opportunities, arts showcases, and outdoor time from surfing to canyon hikes fill the calendar. The culture leans welcoming and globally curious, with a study abroad tradition many note. Career prep draws on internships across San Diego's tech, life sciences, hospitality, and nonprofit hubs, plus cross-border perspectives. Alumni stay involved; MLB player Kris Bryant is one name you might know.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
University of San Diego (USD) offers 76 degree programs across 23 major academic fields, graduating approximately 3,029 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (11 programs, 885 graduates), Law (6 programs, 405 graduates), Education (7 programs, 187 graduates), Social Sciences (5 programs, 177 graduates) and Health (6 programs, 175 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (11 programs, 885 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 216 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Finance, General | 186 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.0801 |
| Real Estate | 176 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1501 |
| Marketing Management | 113 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1401 |
| Accounting | 72 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| International Business and Trade | 36 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.1101 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 35 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0203 |
| Business Administration and Management | 31 |
|
Master's
|
52.0299 |
| Taxation | 10 |
|
Master's
|
52.1601 |
| Research and Development Management | 6 |
|
Master's
|
52.0210 |
| Management Science | 4 |
|
Master's
|
52.1301 |
Law (6 programs, 405 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 250 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
22.0101 |
| Legal Assistant and Paralegal | 121 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
22.0302 |
| Comparative Law | 16 |
|
Master's
|
22.0206 |
| Tax Law and Taxation | 13 |
|
Master's
|
22.0211 |
| Legal Professions and Studies | 3 |
|
Master's
|
22.9999 |
| Advanced Legal Research and Studies | 2 |
|
Master's
|
22.0201 |
Education (7 programs, 187 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Education | 53 |
|
Master's
|
13.0101 |
| Curriculum and Instruction | 41 |
|
Master's
|
13.0301 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 39 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| Instructional Technology | 24 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
| Education, General | 13 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.9999 |
| Higher Education Administration | 9 |
|
Master's
|
13.0406 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 8 |
|
Master's
|
13.0499 |
Social Sciences (5 programs, 177 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Political Science and Government | 76 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1001 |
| International Relations | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0901 |
| Sociology | 38 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0603 |
| Anthropology | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0201 |
Health (6 programs, 175 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Informatics | 56 |
|
Master's
|
51.2706 |
| Nursing Practice | 43 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.3818 |
| Clinical Nurse Leader | 37 |
|
Master's
|
51.3820 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | 28 |
|
Master's
|
51.1505 |
| Nursing Science | 6 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.3808 |
| Nursing Administration | 5 |
|
Master's
|
51.3802 |
Psychology (2 programs, 160 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 105 |
|
Bachelor's
|
42.0101 |
| Applied Psychology | 55 |
|
Master's
|
42.2899 |
Interdisciplinary (3 programs, 158 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Analytics | 76 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30.7102 |
| Data Science | 47 |
|
Master's
|
30.7001 |
| Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution | 35 |
|
Master's
|
30.0501 |
Biological Sciences (3 programs, 150 graduates)
Life Sciences, Biotechnology and Biomedical Research
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neuroscience | 70 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.1501 |
| Biology and Biological Sciences | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0101 |
| Biochemistry | 12 |
|
Bachelor's
|
26.0202 |
Computer & IT (3 programs, 148 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 55 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0701 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 50 |
|
Master's
|
11.0102 |
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 43 |
|
Master's
|
11.1003 |
Security & Safety (3 programs, 147 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice Administration | 103 |
|
Master's
|
43.0103 |
| Cyber and Computer Forensics | 39 |
|
Master's
|
43.0403 |
| Crisis and Emergency Management | 5 |
|
Master's
|
43.0302 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of San Diego (USD).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about University of San Diego (USD)
How much does it cost to attend University of San Diego (USD)?
The annual tuition at University of San Diego (USD) is $56,444 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $79,444 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $18,084 (on) / $19,431 (off) and books and supplies $938.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does University of San Diego offer?
University of San Diego (USD) offers 76 academic programs across 23 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (11 programs)
- Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice (6 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (7 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (5 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (6 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for University of San Diego?
University of San Diego (USD) has an 46.7% acceptance rate and a 16.7% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 15,953
- Students admitted: 7,458
- Students enrolled: 1,245
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at University of San Diego?
University of San Diego (USD) provides financial aid to 22% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $37,444 and average loans of $7,587.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,515
- State/Local grants: $9,307
- Institutional grants: $34,067
- Federal loans: $5,294
The university supports 1,041 students with grants and 467 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for University of San Diego graduates?
University of San Diego (USD) graduates earn a median salary of $64,995 after 6 years and $86,522 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $56,511 (25th percentile) to $125,761 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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