University of San Diego combines selective admissions with exceptional post-graduation earnings. As a Selective Achievers institution, the university produces $12,635 in earnings beyond expectations while maintaining manageable debt levels below peer medians, supporting strong return on investment for graduates.
With top-tier performance, driven by graduates earning $86,522 median income and $12,635 beyond expectations
With modestly below average performance, reflecting higher net costs typical of private institutions
With above average performance, indicating moderate enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students relative to national averages
With well above average performance, reflecting the university's ability to support economic advancement for enrolled students
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisUniversity of San Diego generates strong returns on educational investment through exceptional earnings outcomes combined with moderate debt levels. Graduates earn a median of $86,522 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 96th percentile nationally and representing $23,456 more than the peer median of $63,066.
Earnings range from $56,511 at the 25th percentile to $125,761 at the 75th percentile, reflecting diverse career trajectories across programs. The institution produces $12,635 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 88.7th percentile nationally on this value-added measure.
Students seeking strong business and finance outcomes in a selective environment. Well-suited for those wanting private university resources with demonstrated career preparation in high-earning fields like Banking, Real Estate, and Engineering.
Strong fit for students prioritizing post-graduation earnings over affordability.
University of San Diego admits approximately 46.8% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 2 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places the university in the Selective category (25-50% admission rate), making it moderately competitive but more accessible than highly selective institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights that University of San Diego maintains higher selectivity than typical four-year institutions, with an admission rate 23.8 percentage points below peer averages. This level of selectivity means that strong academic credentials are important for admission, but most qualified students have reasonable chances of acceptance.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
University of San Diego's published cost of attendance reaches $74,879 per year, comprising $56,444 in tuition, $18,084 for room and board, and $938 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays $31,265 after financial aid, representing $43,614 in aid savings from the sticker price.
This net price of $31,265 exceeds the peer median of $27,143 by $4,122, reflecting the university's position as a private institution with higher base costs than typical four-year colleges. The substantial gap between sticker price and actual costs demonstrates significant financial aid distribution, with the university providing meaningful support to reduce the burden of attendance.
Net price varies considerably by family income, ranging from $17,543 for lowest-income students to $46,152 for highest-income families. This $28,609 spread indicates progressive aid targeting that concentrates resources toward students with the greatest financial need.
The net price structure reflects typical patterns for private universities, where published costs appear high but actual payments depend heavily on family financial circumstances and institutional aid policies.
Computer Science.
37 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
24 graduates
Real Estate.
64 graduates
Mechanical Engineering.
71 graduates
Accounting Technology/Technician and Bookkeeping.
93 graduates
Explore alternatives with comparable outcomes based on location, selectivity, and value:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Saint Joseph's University Higher acceptance rate (39.6 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | PA | 86% | $86,881 | Compare |
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
Personalized cost and earnings calculator
This is the University Of San Diego hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/university-of-san-diego/analysis.
Top 5% nationally for median earnings
University of San Diego ranks #345 nationally with Return performance leading its institutional profile at the 94.6th percentile. Located in San Diego, California, this medium-sized private nonprofit university maintains selective admission with a 46.8% acceptance rate while delivering excellent post-graduation outcomes.
The university enrolls 19.4% Pell-eligible students and 24.9% first-generation students, reflecting moderate access alongside strong outcomes. Graduates earn $12,635 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 88.7th percentile nationally.
Median earnings reach $86,522 ten years after enrollment, placing University of San Diego in the 96th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. Compared to a peer median of $63,066, graduates earn $23,456 more annually.
This combination of selective admissions with exceptional earnings performance positions the university within the Selective Achievers quadrant, where institutions deliver strong outcomes while serving fewer low-income students relative to typical four-year colleges.
Students should expect a thorough review process that evaluates multiple factors beyond test scores and grades. For prospective applicants, this selectivity level suggests treating University of San Diego as a target school if academic credentials align with enrolled student profiles, rather than as a reach institution.
The 46.8% admission rate allows for more predictable outcomes compared to highly selective schools, while still maintaining academic standards that attract motivated students seeking strong post-graduation outcomes.
University of San Diego demonstrates consistent earnings growth over the post-graduation period. Median earnings progress from $64,995 six years after enrollment to $77,744 at eight years and $86,522 at ten years, representing 33.1% growth from the six-year mark.
These outcomes reflect data from substantial cohorts: 1,093 graduates at six years, 1,131 at eight years, and 1,271 at ten years, providing high confidence in reported figures. Graduates earn $12,635 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing University of San Diego in the 88.7th percentile for earnings uplift relative to student demographics and institutional characteristics.
Low-income graduates earn $76,200, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in supporting economic advancement for students from lower-income backgrounds. Earnings distribution spans from $56,511 at the 25th percentile to $125,761 at the 75th percentile, with the 2.2:1 ratio reflecting program diversity and career path variation.
Approximately 20.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
University of San Diego offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for analysis and ranking. Real Estate ranks #2 nationally and #1 in California, producing 64 graduates with median earnings of $93,940 and a value score of 94.4, making it one of the university's standout programs.
Computer Science ranks #93 nationally and #25 in California, graduating 37 students with median earnings of $104,948. Banking and Financial Support Services represents the university's largest program by enrollment, graduating 231 students with median earnings of $88,295 and ranking #39 nationally and #3 in California.
Accounting Technology ranks #37 nationally and #5 in California, graduating 93 students with median earnings of $88,651 and a strong value score of 86.9. Business Administration graduates 148 students annually with median earnings of $70,363, while Mechanical Engineering produces 71 graduates earning $88,885.
These programs reflect the university's strength in business, finance, and technical fields with demonstrated market value.
Saint Mary's College Of California Higher acceptance rate (41.8 percentage points higher) with similar program focus; similar graduate earnings | CA | 89% | $78,812 | Compare |
University Of Redlands Same state (89 miles away) (earnings difference: 16%) and similar program focus; same institution type | CA | 81% | $72,690 | Compare |
Chapman University Same state (80 miles away) (earnings difference: 19%) and similar program focus; same institution type | CA | 56% | $70,070 | Compare |
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona Same state (96 miles away) (earnings difference: 16.9%) and similar program focus | CA | 74% | $71,902 | Compare |
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Aurora University Similar quality tier (#338 ranked) | IL | 85% | $58,709 | #338 | Compare |
New York Institute Of Technology Similar quality tier (#336 ranked) | NY | 78% | $70,080 | #336 | Compare |
Middlebury College Similar quality tier (#349 ranked) | VT | 10% | $76,310 | #349 | Compare |
Villanova University Similar quality tier (#333 ranked) | PA | 25% | $100,423 | #333 | Compare |
Lafayette College Similar quality tier (#353 ranked) | PA | 31% | $91,410 | #353 | Compare |
