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University of San Diego

San Diego, CA·Private·www.sandiego.edu/

At a Glance

University of San Diego is a mid-size private nonprofit university in San Diego, CA. Approximately 5,671 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 52% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 3 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 42/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

52%
Acceptance Rate
17,008 applications
Test Optional
Test Policy
No test scores required
$59,486
2024-25 Tuition
$30,365
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$19,918
Room & Board
5,671
Undergraduates
Degree-seeking, all years
12%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
84%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity52% · Moderate
Highly SelectiveOpen

This school does not require standardized test scores for admission. SAT and ACT submissions are optional.

Location

San Diego, CA

Campus Identity

Beach TownNCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

University of San Diego is a mid-size private nonprofit university in San Diego, CA. Approximately 5,671 undergraduates are enrolled. Admissions are moderately selective with a 52% acceptance rate. The campus sits in a beach town, just 3 miles from the ocean. Greek life is active on campus. The school competes in NCAA Division I athletics. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 42/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

Campus Lifestyle

University of San Diego is a 5,000–9,999, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a strong greek life Greek scene. The campus is 3 miles from Crown Point Shores, CA and 101 miles from Snow Valley Mountain Resort.

Athletics

NCAA D1

West Coast

School Size & Setting

5,000–9,999

Urban setting

Beach Access

3 miles

Crown Point Shores, CA

Weather

Hot Climate

63°F avg school-year

Greek Life at University of San Diego

At University of San Diego, 14% of men are in a fraternity and 20% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only way into it. Figures come from the institution’s reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the student life office for the current season.

14%

Men in fraternities

20%

Women in sororities

Strong Greek Life

Greek life scale

Nearby Ski Resorts

University of San Diego students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Snow Valley Mountain Resort, 101 miles away with 12 lifts and 240 skiable acres. All are within 103 miles of campus.

101 mi away
240 skiable acres12 lifts
103 mi away
240 skiable acres10 lifts
103 mi away
198 skiable acres8 lifts

Beach Town

Students at University of San Diego are 3 miles from Crown Point Shores, CA, putting the coast within easy reach any day of the week.

Crown Point Shores, CA

Ocean access within 2.5 miles

3 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · San Diego, CA

San Diego has a mild climate, with winters averaging 58°F in Dec and summers peaking around 72°F in Aug.

58°Jan59°Feb61°Mar63°Apr65°May67°Jun71°Jul72°Aug72°Sep68°Oct63°Nov58°Dec

Station: SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL Airport · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

University of San Diego in CA earns a composite safety score of 42/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

42/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety463739
46/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
37/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
39/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$59,486
Fees
$744
Room & Board
$19,918
Total
$80,148
App Fee: $55
$30,365avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

90 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

LawProfessional
223 grads/yr$134,065
Finance and Financial Management ServicesBachelor's
175 grads/yr$93,099
Business Administration, Management and OperationsBachelor's
162 grads/yr$79,678
Criminal Justice and CorrectionsMaster's
138 grads/yr$148,025
Real EstateBachelor's
125 grads/yr$78,044

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Doctoral11 grads$178,950
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's113 grads$163,311
Real Estate
Master's18 grads$155,948
Computer Science
Bachelor's44 grads$149,847
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies
Master's31 grads$148,235
Criminal Justice and Corrections
Master's138 grads$148,025
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
Professional45 grads$145,372
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management
Master's57 grads$141,878
Security Science and Technology
Master's56 grads$137,533
Law
Professional223 grads$134,065

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is University of San Diego located?

University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA. The main campus address is 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at University of San Diego?

University of San Diego has an acceptance rate of 52%, making it moderately selective. Out of 17,008 applicants, 8,908 were admitted in the most recent year. 5,671 enrolled.

How many students attend University of San Diego?

University of San Diego enrolls 5,671 undergraduates. That figure counts degree-seeking undergraduate students across all years, not just the incoming class, and it excludes graduate students. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.

How much does it cost to attend University of San Diego?

For the 2024-25 academic year, University of San Diego charges $59,486/year in tuition. Including room and board ($19,918/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $52,864/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $30,365/year — what students actually pay. Use University of San Diego's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for University of San Diego?

The undergraduate application fee at University of San Diego is $55. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Is University of San Diego a Division I (D1) school?

Yes. University of San Diego is an NCAA Division I school, part of the West Coast. Division I is the top tier of NCAA athletics, home to the largest programs, athletic scholarships, and nationally televised games.

What percentage of students at University of San Diego are in Greek life?

At University of San Diego, 14% of men are in a fraternity and 20% of women are in a sorority. That is a substantial Greek presence: large enough to shape the social scene without being the only route into it. Figures come from the institution's reported Greek system data. Recruitment timing and chapter counts vary year to year, so check the school's student life office for the current season.

Is University of San Diego the right fit for me?

Whether University of San Diego is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (52% admit rate), avg net price ($30,365/year after aid), campus culture in San Diego, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh University of San Diego against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with University of San Diego directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

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Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
San Diego, CA
Size
5,000–9,999
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
West Coast
School Year Weather
Hot · 63°F avg
App Fee
$55
On Campus Safety Score
42/100
Nearest Airport
San Diego, CA (SAN) · 3 mialso NZY (5 mi), NKX (7 mi)
Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.