Private nonprofit · Mostly bachelor's degrees · Large city

University of San Diego

San Diego, California. 5,671 undergraduates. Admits 52% of applicants.

California colleges Official websiteIts net price calculator
81%Graduation rate27 pts above the national median for similar colleges (54%)
$29,539Average net price per year48% above the national median for similar colleges ($19,899)
$93,069Median earnings 10 years after starting58% above the national median for similar colleges ($58,912)
$21,250Median debt at graduationAbout the same as the national median for similar colleges
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($21,250) equals 23% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($93,069). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$16,814
$30,000–$48,000$17,381
$48,001–$75,000$21,109
$75,001–$110,000$24,962
Over $110,000$52,698

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $62,420.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate81%54%
Return for second year91%76%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$71,073$49,318
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$93,069$58,912
Median debt at graduation$21,250$21,609

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly bachelor's degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

78 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Computer Science55$88,462$179,827$21,739
Accounting and Related Services50$75,812$119,950$21,500
Finance and Financial Management Services186$71,135$108,232$21,500
Mechanical Engineering42$81,593$107,219$19,000
Marketing113$60,568$95,759$19,500
Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology12$65,140$95,583—
Real Estate135$65,952$93,920$20,000
International Business36$64,754$92,769$25,526
Political Science and Government76$50,930$91,607$21,146
Neurobiology and Neurosciences70$41,561$90,815$21,250
Business Administration, Management and Operations145$64,129$86,515$19,500
Economics12$70,897$82,600$19,500
Communication and Media Studies81$44,679$74,729$22,562
Psychology, General105$45,364$74,198$21,500
Biology, General68$44,375$73,916$24,811
English Language and Literature, General19$43,413$65,612$25,000
Sociology38$38,621$60,704$19,752
International Relations and National Security Studies23$58,963$60,106$22,991
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities15—$54,745—
Natural Resources Conservation and Research39$45,494—$14,250
Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics22$24,283——
Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation19——$19,500
Area Studies3———
Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies3———
Engineering, General15———
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering32——$25,000
Industrial Engineering18———
Mathematics4———
Data Analytics36———
Philosophy7———
Religion/Religious Studies1———
Chemistry6———
Physics2———
Anthropology2———
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft5———
Fine and Studio Arts23———
Music3———
History12———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

Getting in

52%Admission rate
13:1Students per faculty member
28%Undergraduates with a Pell Grant

Similar colleges in California

Scripps CollegeClaremont · net price $29,998 · grad rate 84%Southern California Institute of ArchitectureLos Angeles · net price $28,753 · grad rate 86%Thomas Aquinas CollegeSanta Paula · net price $30,972 · grad rate 83%Westmont CollegeSanta Barbara · net price $29,343 · grad rate 68%University of San FranciscoSan Francisco · net price $30,496 · grad rate 66%University of RedlandsRedlands · net price $30,924 · grad rate 65%

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does University of San Diego cost per year?
The average net price at University of San Diego, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $29,539 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do University of San Diego graduates earn?
Former University of San Diego students earn a median of $93,069 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at University of San Diego?
81% of University of San Diego students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do University of San Diego graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from University of San Diego is $21,250. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.