University of San Diego
San Diego, United States
- Cost of Living$ 26,904
- Tuition Fee From$ 37,500
- Country Rank-
- Batch Strength7,671
- Global Diversity8%
- Gender Ratio56 : 44
Overview
About
The University of San Diego (USD) is a private Catholic research institution located in San Diego, California. The autonomous San Diego College for Women and San Diego University (which included the College for Men and School of Law) was established in July 1949. The two organizations amalgamated in 1972. Since that time, the university has expanded to include seven undergraduate and graduate schools.
The University of San Diego’s acceptance rate stands at 53%; there are about 8,810+ undergraduate, paralegal, graduate, and law students enrolled at USD. There are around 43+ Bachelor’s degrees, 41+ Master’s degrees, Juris Doctorate (JD), 5 LLM degrees, 4 doctorates, and dual degree programs. It is listed as belonging to the category "R2: Doctoral Universities - High Research Activity". Students select from among the following undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered by the university’s seven schools and colleges -
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College of Arts and Sciences
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Knauss School of Business
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Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering
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Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science
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Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies
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School of Law
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School of Leadership and Education Sciences
The Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies is the university's newest school. The College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Law is the oldest academic department at the university. Over the years the university has graduated a huge amount of notable alumni which include famous people like Jim Parsons (Emmy Award-winning actor for The Big Bang Theory), Kris Bryant (baseball player for the World Series champion Chicago Cubs, National League Rookie and Most Valuable Player), Frances Townsend (former Homeland Security Advisor to the President of the United States George W. Bush and TV personality), Mario Testino (Peruvian Fashion and Portrait Photographer), Theo Epstein (President of Baseball Operations at the Chicago Cubs), Mark Brnovich (Arizona Attorney General, and many more.
Ranking
USD is the youngest school on the list of the top 100 independent universities in the country compiled by US News & World Report. The university was listed in the "National Universities" in a tie for 88th place in 2021. The university’s undergraduate engineering program and the #1 Catholic Graduate Nursing School in the US were both listed by US News & World Report among engineering schools in the United States without doctoral programs.
According to Poets & Quants' rating of undergraduate business schools for 2022, the Knauss School of Business is the second-best undergraduate business school in California. On College Factual's lists of the Best Real Estate Colleges in the United States and the Best Communications Schools in the United States, the School of Business has placed first in the country for two years in a row. In February 2022, Travel+Leisure rated the university's campus as one of the country's most picturesque college campuses, while Best Choice Schools named it the country's most picturesque urban campus. Here are some of the University of San Diego’s rankings in 2022 -
- 132nd in Forbes America’s Top Colleges List
- 150th in the Washington Street Journal’s National Rankings
- 151st in the Washington Monthly Country Rankings
- 152nd in the US College Rankings by Times Higher Education
- 161st - 170th in the US UNI Rankings by QS
Course Rankings:
Top ranking platforms such as QS World Rankings have ranked the University of San Diego’s courses. Take a look at some -
QS WUR Subject Rankings 2022:
- QS Law & Legal Studies: #301 - 340
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2025
#1201 - 1400
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2023
#1001 - 1200
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2022
#1001 - 1200
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Facilities
The University of San Diego facilities Management Department's objective is to effectively manage and support the growth of high-quality buildings, grounds, and services while also assisting the campus community, which includes students, teachers, and staff. They work to support the university's dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, academic excellence, and progress. The facilities are -
Fitness Center In Bosley: The Bosley Fitness Center is an 8,515-square-foot wellness-focused facility that is situated in the center of the Valley Housing neighborhood. Through the assistance of the fitness facility and the first-floor café, this center aims to develop students' minds, bodies, and spirits. Only holders of a valid USD Torero ID card are allowed access to this facility.
Campus Of Fitness McNamara: For those who have a Torero ID card or a current Facilities Use Pass, the McNamara fitness center in the Jenny Craig Pavilion is open every day. Numerous cardio machines, weight machines, and free weights are available in the fitness center. There are changing rooms for daytime use. A university ID is required to utilize the fitness center.
Athletic Center: On the east side of campus, the Sports Center has a basketball/volleyball court indoors, an outdoor pool, tennis and pickleball courts, a functional training station, dance and fitness rooms, and locker rooms. Campus Recreation and Intercollegiate Athletics are two other departments that are housed in the Sports Center. Current USD Torero ID card holders and holders of Facility Use Passes are permitted access to this facility (affiliates and general community).
Sports Fields: Campus Recreation utilizes two multi-purpose fields with "Sprint Turf" and stadium lighting for sports which is the Manchester Field and Valley Field. Only members of the university’s community can use the fields (must have a current Torero ID card or Facilities Use Pass). The field schedule is always changing. Priority is given to athletic teams, intramural sports, club sports, and organized special events.
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
University of San Diego Entry Requirements
Undergraduate Programs Application Requirements
As one of the best options for international students, USD offers a variety of degrees for students to select from. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors at the university include finance, business administration, psychology, marketing, and behavioral neuroscience. Admission to undergraduate programs is tough. The following University of San Diego entry requirements, along with a $55 application fee, are required of undergraduate applicants using the Common Application. -
- Completed Common Application, including the university’s Member Questions
- High School Transcripts
- English language proficiency scores
- TOEFL-iBT score: A minimum score of 80
- IELTS score: Minimum score of 6.5
- Essay
- An Academic Letter of Recommendation (LOR)
Graduate Application Requirements
The university provides doctoral and dual degree programmes, as well as five LLM degrees. There are programmes available in areas including computer science, supply chain management, supply chain management, and international relations. Graduate students can apply via the University Online Portal with a $140 application fee, and the following qualifications are needed for admission -
- Transcripts and Credentials Evaluations
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores -
- TOEFL: Minimum score of 83 - 93
- IELTS: A minimum score of 7
- Standardized Test Scores (GMAT/GRE scores)
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR) for the US
- CV/Resume
University of San Diego Fees
Online degrees are available for postgraduate program like the MS in Applied Data Science, MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence, MS in Cyber Security Engineering, and MS in Health Care Informatics in addition to undergraduate and graduate degrees. Take a look at the University of San Diego fees based on each program -
- Business Administration: $38,522
- Leadership Studies: $51,748
- Mechanical Engineering: $57,924
- Sociology: $57,924
- Nursing Practice: $55,498
Placements
Students who need assistance navigating through the hiring process to obtain University of San Diego placements benefit from the Career & Internship Fairs hosted by the university on campus. 97.6% of graduates received full-time job offers within three months of graduation. The starting wage for university graduates is expected to be $60,000. NBC Universal, EY, PwC, Deloitte, Amazon, The Walt Disney Company, and Boeing are among of the top employers. The university's career development center offers a range of information and tools for both undergraduate and graduate students, including -
- Handshake: An online job portal for students
- GradConnection: Opportunities for overseas students to work or intern
- Student Opportunity Center: Students can get information about research opportunities, conferences, funding sources, and fellowships
- Jobscan: A tool for students to improve resumes
- InterviewStream: For students to practice interviewing techniques with video mock interviews
Scholarship
Regardless of the program you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by the university as well as other organizations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the University of San Diego through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
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Merit-based scholarships
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Need-based scholarships
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Country-specific scholarships
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College-specific scholarships
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Student-specific scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the University of San Diego. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend the University of San Diego. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, en-suites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodations near the university, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
Universities in California are among the best universities in the United States for international students due to its affordability. For overseas students, the cost of living in California is approximately $2,017 - $2,500 per month which includes rent, food, travel costs, groceries, etc. Take a look at the break down of daily expenses while living in San Diego, California for students below -
|
Item |
Cost (Per Month) |
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Off-Campus Accommodation |
$1,542 |
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On-Campus Accommodation |
$1,059 |
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Transportation |
$120 |
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Food |
$371 |
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Utility |
$178 |
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Entertainment |
$60 |
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Groceries |
$48 |
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Clothes |
$101 |
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Health Insurance |
$80 |
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Total Cost of Living with Off-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) |
$2,500 |
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Total Cost of Living with On-Campus Accommodation (Per Month) |
$2,017 |
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Annual Cost of Living |
$30,000 |