University of San Diego: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
San Diego, California · Private nonprofit · Moderately selective · CDS 2025-2026
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University of San Diego is a private nonprofit university in San Diego, California that admits about 54% of applicants, making it a moderately selective school. The average family pays about $30,365 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Finance and Financial Management Services, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 81% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 8.3 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
University of San Diego is a private institution located in San Diego, California with a moderately selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, University of San Diego admits about half to three-quarters of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 54%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $30,365 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for University of San Diego?
58% of enrolled students at University of San Diego had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.02, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does University of San Diego weight in admissions?
University of San Diego reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Class rank
- • Application essay
- • Recommendations
- • Extracurricular activities
- • Talent/ability
- • Character/personal qualities
- • Volunteer work
SAT and ACT scores University of San Diego typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: University of San Diego does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 35% |
| Top 25% of class | 76% |
| Top 50% of class | 96% |
| % submitting class rank | 30% |
How much does University of San Diego actually cost?
Published tuition is $59,486 for in-state students and $59,486 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $19,918 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $30,365 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 21% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | $19,200 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $30,365 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for University of San Diego
| Regular deadline | 1-15 |
| Reply deadline | 5-1 |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
| Offers Early Action | Yes |
| EA deadline | November 1 |
Will my child graduate from University of San Diego?
These predict outcomes at University of San Diego better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at University of San Diego
The most popular undergraduate programs at University of San Diego, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Finance and Financial Management Services, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. Across all programs, University of San Diego confers roughly 956 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Finance and Financial Management Services program report a median income of about $107,544 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 204 | $107,544 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 166 | $84,779 |
| Psychology, General | 123 | $68,458 |
| Marketing | 116 | $80,998 |
| Real Estate | 107 | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 100 | $84,851 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 74 | $64,852 |
| Political Science and Government | 66 | $71,534 |
Is University of San Diego safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), University of San Diego disclosed 47 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 8.3 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 4 violent offenses and 10 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at University of San Diego?
About 50% of undergraduates at University of San Diego live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 13% of men join a fraternity and 21% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- University of San Francisco62% acceptance
- Pepperdine University63% acceptance
- Chapman University65% acceptance
- Saint Mary's College of California87% acceptance
- California State University-Chico93% acceptance
- Sonoma State University93% acceptance
- California State University-East Bay97% acceptance
- California State University-San Bernardino94% acceptance
Next steps for University of San Diego
Common questions parents ask about University of San Diego
What GPA do I need for University of San Diego?
58% of enrolled students at University of San Diego had a high school GPA of 4.0 or above, and the average was 4.02, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does University of San Diego typically admit?
University of San Diego is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does University of San Diego actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at University of San Diego after grants and scholarships is $30,365 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $59,486. Budget against the net figure.
Is University of San Diego realistic for my child?
University of San Diego admits 54% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $30,365 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at University of San Diego?
University of San Diego accepts about 54% of applicants out of roughly 17,468 who apply each year. That makes it a moderately selective school.
Is University of San Diego test-optional?
University of San Diego is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at University of San Diego?
About 81% of students at University of San Diego graduate within six years. 92% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does University of San Diego look for in applicants?
University of San Diego rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is University of San Diego a public or private school, and where is it located?
University of San Diego is a private nonprofit institution located in San Diego, California.
What are the most popular majors at University of San Diego?
The largest undergraduate majors at University of San Diego by annual graduates are Finance and Financial Management Services, Business Administration, Management and Operations and Psychology, General. The school awards about 956 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is University of San Diego safe? What is its campus crime rate?
University of San Diego reported 47 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 8.3 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at University of San Diego?
At University of San Diego, 50% of undergraduates live on campus, 13% of men are in fraternities, 21% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by University of San Diego, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers