5 Videos,
University of San Diego: Popular Programs & Ranking
- Private University
180 acre campus- Estd. 1949
Last updated on 15 Dec '25USDWhat's new?
Admissions to the University of San Diego are open for the upcoming session:
- Regular decision UG international students application deadline is Jan 15, 2026
The university advises interested candidates to submit respective applications as early as possible, due to limited availability of seats.
About University of San Diego
Located in San Diego, USA, University of San Diego is a private funded university that was founded in 1949. It has 1 campus. The University offers 11 courses across 4 streams, with some popular ones being Engineering, Business & Management Studies, Accounting & Commerce and Medicine & Health Sciences as part of its curriculum. The courses, offered at graduate and UG level, can be pursued in 6 specializations, which are Computer Science Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Finance, Operations and International Business. List of popular courses are MBA/PGDM, B.E. / B.Tech, MS, BBA and Executive MBA/PGDM. The first year graduate tuition fee for these courses is in the range of USD 28,302 - 58,420. The cost of accommodation is USD 11,620 - 18,084 for Indian students. For admission, the university prefers candidates with a good academic record. It considers the following exam scores for admissions Duolingo, IELTS, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT.
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.
The University of San Diego admissions deadline varies as per the programme offered, However, the Early Action deadline is Nov 1, 2025, while the Regular Decision deadline is Jan 15, 2026 for UG applicants. International students are required to submit other application materials such as transcripts, test scores and visa documents.
International undergrad students can apply to the University of San Diego through the Common App and submit required materials such as transcripts. However, USD test free policy does not make it mandatory to submit the SAT/ACT score. Applicants can still apply without the SAT. However, international students are required submit English language test proficiency score through IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo.
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 |
#906
#221
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
The Princeton Review has ranked University of San Diego among the most beautiful campuses in the US. The USD 180-acre space overlooks the city of San Diego, Mission Bay, and the Pacific Ocean.
No, the University of San Diego is not part of the Ivy League institutions.
Though USD isn't part of that group it still maintains a quality standard of education that can be pursued at reasonable costs.
University of San Diego courses
The University of San Diego offers over 11 courses to Indian students across 4 streams at the level. Engineering, Business & Management Studies, Accounting & Commerce and Medicine & Health Sciences are among the most popular streams to choose from. When it comes to specialisations, Computer Science Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Finance, Operations and International Business are the ones that stand out. B.E. / B.Tech and BBA are popular UG courses with an overall duration of 4 years. At the graduate level, there are 6 courses to choose from. Of these, MS, MBA/PGDM and Executive MBA/PGDM are the prominent ones. PG courses can be completed in a duration of 10 months to 2 years.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
We can fast-track your application in a week.
13.7K+ students got admitted through us.
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 Admission 2026
To get admission to University of San Diego, Indian students should apply through Official Application Portal. University of San Diego admission requirements, which comprise previous scores, required GPA, standardised test scores, essays, resumes, SOPs and LORs must be submitted to complete the application process by all Indian applicants. Also, Indian students also have to submit scores of entrance or English language proficiency exams, such as Duolingo, IELTS, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT, must also be submitted by students.
- 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 |
Though the GPA requirement varies for different courses, the general GPA required for admissions to the University of San Diego is 3.0.
Apart from this, students must also satisfy the institute's other requirements such as language test scores, valid passport, etc. to have a good chance of securing admission to the University of San Diego.
The University of San Diego acceptance rate is around 47%. It can be inferred that it is pretty selective at granting admissions to its courses.
Interested candidates must perform really well in past academics as well as other university entrance exams to have a chance of securing admissions to the institute.
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
Awards of the Undergraduate Merit Scholarships are automatically determined by the office of undergraduate admissions. Eligibility for these scholarships are as follows:
- Scholarships are awarded based on superior academic performance
- Only freshman applicants are eligible
- Students must maintain a CGPA of 3.0 and full-time status
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.
Yes, the University of San Diego offers scholarship opportunities for international students such as Alcala, Trustee, and Presidential scholarships. Scholarships usually range from USD 18,000 TO USD 28,000 (INR 15,03,564 to INR 23,38,877). However, only freshman applicants are eligible for merit scholarships.
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.
As per the latest employment data made available by the institute, 88.7% of the students were successfully able to secure employment at some of the best MNC's in the US & across the globe within the first 3 months of completing graduation.
University of San Diego Fees
Fees is one of the critical components that Indian students primarily consider when seeking admission to University of San Diego. The total fees at the university comprise tuition and living costs. The tuition fee for UG courses for the first year is USD 55,690 - 58,420, for graduate courses it is USD 28,302 - 52,635. Indian students must also consider the cost of living in Jacksonville. These include hostel fees, food, utilities, cost of public transport and other expenses. The annual hostel charges at University of San Diego is USD 11,620 - 18,084.
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
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.
The university-wide minimum TOEFL score required for consideration for graduate admission is 85, but specific departments/programs may have different requirements. The School of Leadership and Education Sciences at USD requires a minimum TOEFL score of 83 for the internet-based test and 237 for the computer-based test. The official TOEFL scores, which are not more than 2 years old and have a minimum score of 80 iBT/ 550 PBT, must be sent directly from the Educational Testing Services (ETS) TOEFL using USD’s Institution code 4849.
The University of San Diego charges different fees for undergraduate and graduate international students. For the 2023-2024 academic year, undergraduate tuition for international students is $55,690 (INR 46,29,331), while graduate tuition is $58,390 (INR 48,53,773).
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 backgrounds such as some work in corporate while some are well known sportsmen and actors. University is known to have huge alumni base which can be useful for students who come here to study. Some of famous University of San Diego alumni are mentioned below-
|
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 25.1 L - 46.67 L | #110 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 30.61 L - 66.31 L | #97 THE, 2026 | |
| INR 26.26 L - 42.56 L | #110 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 52.57 L | #110 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 65.42 L - 77.83 L | #64 US News, 2026 | |
| INR 19.49 L | -/- |
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 main campus of University of San Diego is located in San Diego, USA. The university offers a great campus life to its students. Students here have varied options to participate in community building. The university has organisations and clubs, in which students can participate as per their interests. On top of this, students can participate in sports and join university teams. They can also access variety of resources and services at the campus such as library, recreation centres, sports complex, placement services, among others.
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 7 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 8 months ago
Lehigh & USD are two of the most prominent universities of their respective states. While Lehigh is based in Pennsylvania, USD in based in California.
Each institute has its pros & cons, & which is better can be determined on the basis of how the institute fares based on certain vital parameters.
Giv
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 8 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 8 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 8 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
About the author
Study Abroad Expert
University Front
Around the Campus
Hughes Administration Center
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)
Comments