University of San Diego (USD) Summary
University of San Diego (USD) is a Private Catholic research university based in San Diego, California. The University of San Diego is a private Catholic research university with programs in arts and sciences, business, engineering, nursing and health science, leadership and education, law, peace studies, and theology. USD developed from the separate San Diego College for Women and San Diego University institutions chartered in 1949. The women’s college opened in 1952, the men’s college and law school followed in 1954, and the institutions progressively integrated before formally merging as the University of San Diego in 1972. Research includes engineering, nursing, health care informatics, leadership, education, peace and justice, business, marine and environmental science, behavioral science, law, theology, and community-engaged work. The Alcalá Park campus overlooks Mission Bay and provides access to San Diego’s biotechnology, healthcare, defense, engineering, technology, tourism, finance, law, education, nonprofit, and cross-border economies. For current costs, For 2026–27, full-time undergraduate tuition is $64,100 per year, or $32,050 per semester. Published standard undergraduate fees are $1,099 per year, while health insurance, housing, meals, books, transportation, and program-specific charges are separate. USD uses a test-free undergraduate admissions policy through Fall 2027. SAT and ACT scores are not reviewed as part of the admission decision during the covered cycles. San Diego provides career pathways in biotechnology, healthcare, engineering, defense, technology, business, finance, law, education, tourism, nonprofit work, sustainability, and public service. The university’s current undergraduate portfolio includes Computer Science B.A., Computer Science B.S., Electrical Engineering B.S./B.A., Industrial and Systems Engineering B.S./B.A., Mechanical Engineering B.S./B.A., while graduate study includes Business Administration M.B.A., Finance M.S., Health Care Informatics M.S., Nursing M.S.N.. Doctoral education includes Leadership Studies Ph.D., Organizational Leadership Ed.D., Catholic Social Thought in Practice Ed.D., Education Ph.D.. Certificate and professional options include Leadership Coaching Graduate Certificate, International School Counseling Graduate Certificate, Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership Graduate Certificate. USD automatically considers incoming first-year students for university merit awards and also offers Athletic Scholarships, the Choral Scholars Award, the University Ministry Scholarship, need-based aid, and donor-supported awards. Career preparation is supported by Career Development Center. University of San Diego therefore combines its institutional history, current academic portfolio, research activity, and location-specific professional environment into a distinct student experience rather than a generic university model. Students at University of San Diego can combine classroom study with research, internships, projects, community engagement, professional organizations, and other forms of experiential learning that fit their academic field. The setting in San Diego is especially relevant to biotechnology, healthcare, engineering, defense, technology, finance, law, education, tourism, nonprofits, sustainability, and public service, giving academic programs a direct connection to the surrounding regional economy. Applicants should evaluate program requirements, tuition, scholarships, and professional expectations using the current official information for their exact University of San Diego degree.




















