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University of San Diego: Popular Programs & Ranking
- Private University
180 acre campus- Estd. 1949
Last updated on 8 Oct '25USDWhat's new?
Admissions to the University of San Diego are open for the upcoming session:
- Fall 2026 Early Action Application deadline for UG international students is Nov 1, 2025
The university advises interested candidates to submit respective applications as early as possible, due to limited availability of seats.
About University of San Diego
Founded in 1949, the University of San Diego (USD) is a privately funded higher education institute based in San Diego, California.
The institute’s history can be traced back to 1937, when Bishop Charles Buddy took over stewardship of the Catholic Diocese of San Diego. It was granted official charters by the state of California in 1949 when it officially became a recognized institution.
The university is among a small number of institutions to be accredited by the Western Association of Schools & Colleges (WASC) & the Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC). The WSCUC accreditation has remained valid since 1956.
USD is known to offer a plethora of UG & PG level courses across a range of streams including: Engineering, Technology, Management, Medicine, Law, Leadership studies & more.
In addition, the university is now offering degrees in online formats especially designed for Indian students.
The institute also ranks very highly as part of several university ranking platforms. A prominent ranking platform ranks it #53 for as part of its best value school rankings cementing its status as a more affordable & quality education institute among all US based institutions.
Check out the video below to know more about study abroad:
Commonly asked questions On Highlights
The University of San Diego was the first stand-alone institution in the US to be awarded the prestigious Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies.
The university was also the first campus located in the West Coast to be designated as a Changemaker campus & to this day it remains a part of a very few number of Changemaker campuses in the world.
According to alumni of USD, the university provides great housing facilities for freshmen students who want to live on-campus. First-year students of USD can live at Maher Hall and The Valley. Maher Hall is one of the most popular residence hall of the university. It has multiple room setups, common areas, study spaces, etc. at Maher Hall. On the other hand, The Valley consists of numerous multiple residential buildings as well as a gym, space for outdoor recreation, and a café.
University of San Diego Ranking 2025
The University of San Diego is among the top universities in the USA and globally category. It ranked at #236 in the USA by Shiksha Popularity Ranking in 2025. The university is also one of the top-ranked universities in the world and it ranks #1201 in the World University Ranking by QS in 2025.
According to US News and World Report, University of San Diego ranking is #98 in 2024, which showcases a declined trend when compared with 2023.
Furthermore, the university’s courses have been ranked nationally. According to Shiksha Popularity Ranking, the University of San Diego subject ranking for 2025 are given below:
| San Diego Course name | Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| #59 | LL.M. |
| #97 | MSN |
| #109 | MBA/PGDM |
| #80 | BBA |
| #48 | MIM |
#872
#222
University of San Diego Courses and Fees
The University of San Diego offers courses in both full-time & part-time formats to its international student body.
Courses are available to be pursued over a set of prominent streams including: Law, Business Administration, Medicine, Arts, Environmental Studies, Finance & more.
Engineering & Business Administration are two of the most pursued streams by students at the university & each of these streams can be pursued as part of different schools.
The most prominent business course offered by the institute is its MBA course that is available to be pursued in the below mentioned streams:
- MBA in Business Analytics
- MBA in Finance
- MBA in Marketing
- MBA in Organizational Leadership
- MBA in Supply Chain Management
Among the most prominent Engineering courses offered by the university is its MS course that is availble to be pursued in the streams listed below:
- MS in Applied Artificial Intelligence
- MS in Applied Data Science
- MS in Engineering Management & Leadership
- MS in Cybersecurity Engineering
University of San Diego Fees
Tuition fee at the University of San Diego varies with the course & specialisation students decide to pursue.
The tuition fee of a MS program at USD is around INR 26.46 L, while the tuition fee of a MBA varies between INR 23.77 L-41.61 L.
Other than the tuition fees students must also account for some other costs that are linked with living in San Diego including: rent, groceries, utilities, transportation, etc.
Given below is a detailed breakdown of the costs MBA students can expect to incur at the University of San Diego:
|
Fee Component |
Cost |
|---|---|
|
Tuition |
INR 23.77 L- INR 41.61 L |
|
Hostel |
INR 9.76 L-13.86 L |
|
Insurance |
INR 1.53 L – INR 3.26 L |
|
Transportation |
INR 92.99 K-INR 1.51 L |
|
Other Expenses |
INR 60.5 K |
|
Total Fee |
INR 36.6 L-INR 60.84 L |
For more fees related information click here: University of San Diego Fees.
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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
International students planning to pursue their higher studies from the University of San Diego must be prepared to spend a decent chunk of money upon arrival. The tuition fee varies with course as does the cost of living which is dependent on the kind of lifestyle students decide to pursue.
The cost of a full-time MBA programme is around INR 23.8 L –INR 42 L. While the estimated cost of living as part of student accommodation is around INR 20-25 L.
University of San Diego Admissions 2025
The University of San Diego is accepting admission applications for entry to its courses.
The Early Action deadline for UG admissions at the University of San Diego is Nov 1, 2025
University of San Diego Admission Requirements 2025
Students interested in pursuing higher studies from the University of San Diego must meet its admission requirements which includes satisfying all mandatory test scores & submitting a set of documents for verification of ID & qualifications.
Given below are the general admission requirements students must satisfy:
- Submission of a professional resume
- A Personal Statement or Statement of Purpose
- Submission of essays as specified by the university
- Letters of Recommendation (total depends on the course you’re applying to)
- Payment of a standard application fee
- Submission of past educational transcripts
- Satisfy language proficiency test scores
Note that the language test score requirements vary for different courses, mentioned below are the requirements for admission at the university’s Business school:
|
Test |
Minimum Score |
|---|---|
|
IELTS Academic |
7.0 |
|
TOEFL iBT |
92 |
|
Duolingo English Test |
120 |
Admission process for International Students
International students planning to pursue higher studies at the University of San Diego can follow the below mentioned step-by-step guide to file respective admission applications:
- Register on the university’s application portal
- Select the course based on your interest
- Check its entry requirements
- Provide all documents as asked as part of the application process
- Pay the mandatory application fee
- Finalise your application & submit
- Check the status of your application on a regular basis
- Accept the offer letter
- Start planning for your studies at the University of San Diego
- Application fees :No Fees
- Type of deadline :Regular
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
The University of San Diego offers a variety of programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. International students applying to the University of San Diego can use the following pathways to apply online.
Level of Study | Pathways |
|---|---|
Undergraduate | Common Application and Accompanying USD Member Questions |
Postgraduate | USD Website |
USDUSD Scholarships
The University of San Diego offers a number of merit scholarships to international first-year students. International students can also apply for athletic scholarships. Some popular scholarships for international students:
- Undergraduate Merit Scholarships (Alcala, Trustee, and Presidential)
- Dean’s Graduate Merit Scholars
- Athletic Scholarships
Commonly asked questions On Scholarships
The University of San Diego offers scholarships and fellowships for American Indian and Alaska Native undergraduate and graduate students, including the DAR American Indian Scholarship and the American Indian Graduate Center Scholars (AIGC) fellowships and loans for service. The University of San Diego also offers a special scholarship programme for students in India enrolling in their online programs. Education Future International Scholarship - USA & Non-USA 2024 is a partial funding scholarship available for international students.
USD Popular Courses
2 yearsUniversity of San Diego Placements
The University of San Diego is considered among the most highly employable institutions in the region.
As per the latest employment data made available by the university, 88.7% of the 2023-24 batch of UG students were able to secure employments within a few months of completing respective graduations. Among this sample size, 88.5% students received their first job offers within the first 3 months of completing graduation.
Graduates of the university go through a demanding academic process & come out equipped with the skills necessary to cope with the industry’s demands.
As a result, they are of demand to some of the best MNC’s in the US & across the globe.
Given below is a breakdown of the most prominent sectors, University of San Diego graduates are currently employed in:
|
Sector |
Percentage |
|---|---|
|
Finance |
13% |
|
Marketing |
11% |
|
Real Estate |
11% |
|
Accounting & Auditing |
9% |
|
Engineering & Design |
8% |
|
Technology |
7% |
|
Health & Medical |
7% |
|
Manufacturing & Product Development |
7% |
|
Public Service |
6% |
|
Law |
3% |
San Diego graduates are paid handsomely for their contributions to the respective industries, with the average median salary offered to fresher’s ranging between: INR 49.76 L-INR 73.85 L.
Given below is an industry-wise breakdown of the salaries earned by graduates at the University of San Diego:
|
Sector |
Salary |
|---|---|
|
Accounting/Auditing |
USD 76,930 |
|
Engineering |
USD 83,446 |
|
Finance & Banking |
USD 84,667 |
|
Health & Medical |
USD 56,405 |
|
Marketing, Sales & Consumer Products |
USD 64,309 |
|
Public Service/Government/Non-Profit |
USD 55,462 |
The university attracts some of the top product & service based companies based in the US & abroad.
Mentioned below are some of the university’s top recruiters:
- Deloitte
- NBC Universal
- Amazon
- Qualcomm
- Walt Disney Company
- US Department of Health & Human Services
- EY
Commonly asked questions On Placements
Graduates of the University of San Diego are employed in several prominent global MNC's including: Amazon, Deloitte, Walt Disney, Qualcomm, NBC Universal among others.
USD Courses and Fees 2025
| Courses | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Duration & Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
MBA/PGDM(4 courses) | INR 25 L - 47 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 10-36 months Exam Accepted: GMAT: 500 - 610, IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 92 & Above, Duolingo, GRE |
MS(3 courses) | INR 28 L - 47 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 10 months-2 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 92 & Above, Duolingo: 120 & Above, GMAT: 550 - 560, GRE |
B.E. / B.Tech(2 courses) | INR 49 L - 50 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo |
BBA(3 courses) | INR 49 L - 52 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 4 years Exam Accepted: IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo: 115 & Above |
Executive MBA/PGDM(1 course) | INR 29 LGet Fee Details | Duration: 22 months Exam Accepted: GMAT, IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 92 & Above, Duolingo |
Commonly asked questions On Fees and Eligibility
The minimum admission requirements for the University of San Diego will vary from course to course and depend on the level of study. However, we have given below the checklist for admission requirements for international students.
- Complete Common Application, including USD Member Questions
- Official class 12 mark sheet
- One academic letter of recommendation
- Essay
- English language proficiency
- Official course-by-course evaluation of any foreign college/post-secondary transcripts
Read More: University of San Diego Admissions
The requirements vary for first-year applicants and transfer applicants. Also, the application process is different for domestic and international applicants.
The eligibility criteria and language requirements for applying to different programs offered to international students at San Diego are:
Eligibility Requirements for Undergraduates
A minimum of C grade or a 3.0 grade point average is required to be eligible for admission.
Before senior year, applicants should also qualify for a certain number of courses, depending on their departments.
Apart from their academic achievements, the qualities and abilities of students are assessed through the letters of recommendation and essays they submit.
Subject Requirements: The specifications for admissions vary, depending on every subject’s requirements. The subject-specific requirements for undergraduates that can be referred to as follows:
Subjects | Years of Study |
|---|---|
English | 4 years |
Mathematics | 3 or 4 years |
Science | 3 or 4 years, including 2 years with lab |
Foreign Language | 3 or 4 years |
Social Studies | 2 or more years |
Eligibility Requirements for Graduates and Postgraduates
Students must have an undergraduate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution to be a part of a graduate/postgraduate programme in the university.
Country-Specific Requirements for Indian Students
Class 12 Board examination or plus two qualifications are essential. Transcripts from the respective university are required for admission. Students need a minimum of 3.4 grade points. It is mandatory to have the documents required for admission in English. Otherwise, they must be translated into English. Also, students should prove their proficiency in English.
Indian Undergraduates: The general requirements can be higher, depending on specific courses. The university will not consider ACT or SAT scores till fall 2024.
Indian Graduates/Postgraduates: Depending on the specification of each department, students have to qualify for GRE or GMAT. The university also considers the experiences and personal attributes of applicants.
USDStudent profile
Others
64%
Hispanic
24%
Asian
7%
Black
3%
In state
54%
Out of state
41%
Foreign
4%
24 and under
95%
25 and over
4%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
University of San Diego Notable Alumni
San Diego University alumni come from different walks of life, some working in the corporate, while some are well-known sportsmen and actors. The university is known to have a huge alumni base, which can be useful for students who come here to study. Some of the popular University of San Diego alumni are:
|
University San Diego Alumni Name |
Profession |
|---|---|
|
Ryan Guy |
Former Football Player |
|
Chris Bauer |
Actor |
|
Lorenzo Fertitta |
Businessman & Philanthropist |
|
Ryan Zinke |
Politician & Businessman |
|
Eric Musselman |
Basketball Coach |
University of San Diego vs University of California, SD vs New York University: Which is better?
The University of San Diego, University of California & New York University are considered among the best institutions in the US for offering quality education & access to world class resources.
While both University of San Diego & University of California are based in San Diego, NYU is located at the heart of the Big Apple: New York City.
Though there isn’t much to separate these institutions, there does exist some differences that students must consider before choosing between these institutions.
Mentioned below is a comparison of these universities based on certain important parameters:
|
Criteria |
University of San Diego |
University of California |
New York University |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Location |
Alcala Park Way, San Diego, California |
La Jolla, California |
New York, NY 10012 |
|
Acceptance Rate |
47% |
25% |
11-12% |
|
Popular Programs |
Law, Business Administration, Medicine, Cyber Security, Leadership Studies |
Biology, Cognitive Science, Economics, Mathematics. Management |
Economics, Media, Culture & Communication, Business, Mathematics |
|
Tuition Fee (MS) |
INR 26.46 L |
INR 22.51 L-66.26 L |
INR 27.61 L-INR 82.7 L |
|
Shiksha Popularity Ranking |
#236 |
#20 |
#14 |
Compare USD with other similar colleges
| College | 1st Year Tuition Fees | Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| INR 25.11 L - 46.7 L | #110 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 26.27 L - 42.59 L | #110 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 19.51 L | -/- | |
| INR 52.6 L | #110 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 30.63 L - 66.35 L | #293 QS, 2026 | |
| INR 25.47 L - 55.99 L | #114 QS, 2026 |
CompareUSDStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.
Commonly asked questions On Study in Country
As per the numbeo.com, San Diego is 263.6% more expensive than Delhi (without rent). A single person estimated monthly costs are USD 1,423 without rent. Also, rent in San Diego on average is about 1,030% higher than in Delhi. A family of four estimated monthly costs are USD 4,976 without rent.
University of San Diego Campus Life
The University of San Diego is located on Alcala Park in San Diego, California, and offers a vibrant campus culture to its diverse international student body with its close proximity to the US/Mexico border. Several student organizations are available to join and its campus recreation facilities, which include: dance classes, intra-mural events, personalised fitness training sessions & summer programs, provide valuable exposure to the community & help in their own personal growth. The university’s best-in-class dining facilities offer the perfect place for students to hang out, offering a range of perfectly cooked cuisines & other beverages.
Regular community interaction is also a key feature of the university, with events & workshops taking place on a weekly basis at the university campus as well as in online modes for students to interact & share their ideas with some of the most notable industry professionals.
For Housing, students can either choose to be a part of university-maintained residential halls or look for accommodation elsewhere:
- University Housing: Housing facilities are available in the form of apartments at the university’s residential halls. Rooms are available in quad, triple & twin XL beds along with a desk, dresser, bathroom, washroom & sink. Internet facilities are also available, & the housing is just a short walk from the other campus facilities including the library, bookstore, mail center, & the Hahn University Center. A TV & Study Lounge are also available for students as part of the on-campus accommodation facilities.
- Off-campus Housing: Students looking for off-campus accommodation in the city can refer popular student housing sites such as: Craigslist, HUGS, RoomChazer, & more. The institute does not maintain off-campus housing of its own.
Commonly asked questions On Others
No, the University of San Diego does not maintain off-campus facilities. Interested candidates must refer alternative housing portals such as: Craigslist, RoomChazer, HUGS among others.
USD
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 months ago
The University of San Diego acceptance rate for 2025 is around 52.3%, meaning that for every 100 applicants, the university is likely to accept only half of them. This points to moderately tough competition planning to apply to USD.
Similarly, the USD acceptance rate for international students is
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 months ago
As per data for Fall 2024, the University of San Diego received around 17,000 applications, of which around 8,900 were admitted to USD. This suggests that the general University of San Diego acceptance rate is 52.3%.
The USD acceptance rate for international students on the other hand is 49.1%, s
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 months ago
University of San Diego is one of the most prestigious universities in USA. The University of San Diego placement rate is 88.7%. This figure shows that for every 100 students, around 89 students secured employment. The average salary of USD graduates is USD 71,145 (INR 60.97 LPA) annually. The unive
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 months ago
The University of San Diego is one of the most prominent universities for international students to continue higher education in the USA. The University of San Diego placement rate is 88.7%. The average salary of USD graduates starts from USD 71,145 (INR 60.97 LPA) annually. The University of San Di
N
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 6 months ago
The University of San Diego is one of the most prestigious universities in the USA. USD placement rate is 88.7%. The University of San Diego placement rate attracts international students the most. USD university graduates work for top companies such as Google, Microsoft, University of San Diego - K
K
Contributor-Level 10
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USDLocation
| University City | San Diego, California, USA |
| Size of city | Large |
| Population of City | 14,19,516 |
USDCampuses
5998 Alcalá Park San Diego, CA 92110 US
Visit official siteUSDContact Information
5998 Alcalá Park, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
San Diego ( California)
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