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Colleges / University of San Diego

University of San Diego

San Diego, CA 4-Year Private
Acceptance Rate53%

USD Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at USD was $55,690 a year.

Tuition increased 3.49% in 2023–from $53,810 the previous year. Usually, college tuition rises about 3% year.

If this makes attending the college of your dreams sound impossible, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students pay way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. And, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you've finishing school and found a job.

University of San Diego meets 81% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. First-year students that attend University of San Diego full-time are awarded $48,496 a year in financial aid, on average.

In 2020, students graduated with an average of $25,208 in student loans for each student with debt.

University of San Diego: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

University of San Diego is a private, religious institution, so it has the same tuition for residents of California as it does for residents from other states.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state status can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to verify your state's requirements for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. In many states, students must have lived in the state for 12 months before starting school to qualify for in-state tuition. There may be additional requirements too, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Is University of San Diego's Tuition Different for International Students?

Tuition at University of San Diego is the same for every student.

International students usually do not qualify for for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may qualify for private or University of San Diego-specific aid and scholarships.


University of San Diego Living Expenses, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at University of San Diego.

Room and Board Costs at University of San Diego

Room and board at University of San Diego is $16,380 a year. This number covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a meal plan that enables you to eat all or some of your meals the University of San Diego's on-campus cafeterias and dining facilities.

Meal-plan costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at University of San Diego

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books depends on the courses you take and the materials required. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be other costs associated with participating in certain activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have ways for students with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

The Cost of Transportation at University of San Diego

The cost of transportation in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are not allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, getting around in an urban area could be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains or affordable flights to actually get to school. University of San Diegois in a city in California, near San Diego.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to take into account the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


Total Tuition and Expenses at University of San Diego


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better estimate of the actual cost of attending University of San Diego.

How Much Does University of San Diego Cost?

What will the cost of attending University of San Diego be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
Tuition $55,690
Room and Board $16,380
Other expenses $2,871

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Total Estimated Costs
On-Campus $75,695
Off-Campus $60,872

The breakdowns above provide a good estimate of the total cost of attendance before financial aid and scholarships. Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

University of San Diego’s tuition and fees change based on: •Course load for part-time students


Financial Aid at University of San Diego


The majority of University of San Diego undergrads use financial aid to to cover the cost of tuition. In 2023, 2,880 of the 5,672 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. University of San Diego meets 81% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $48,496 a year. Around 51% of University of San Diego undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. University of San Diego graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $25,208 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $20,711
University of San Diego-Specific Loans $9,267
Private Loans $37,748
Most Common Loans for University of San Diego Students
Federal Loans 49%
Institutional Loans 9%
Private loans 5%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on University of San Diego financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at University of San Diego

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, University of San Diego awarded 2,841 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $114.1 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $30.91 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of University of San Diego

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for University of San Diego students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at University of San Diego was $48,496 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of University of San Diego seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
On-Campus $27,199
Off-Campus $12,376

What will attending University of San Diego really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the University of San Diego's net cost calculator on their website.

University of San Diego Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

University of San Diego does not have guaranteed tuition.

University of San Diego offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

Does University of San Diego Offer Tuition Waivers?

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

USD has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

University of San Diego's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

University of San Diego's endowment was valued at $652.5 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million.


Learn More About University of San Diego


Choose one of the options below to find out more about about University of San Diego:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about University of San Diego

USD Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$72,824

In State

$72,824

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$55,690
$55,690
Fees
$754
$754
Housing
$16,380
$16,380
Books
Unknown
Unknown

USD Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

52%

Average Financial Aid Package

$46,507

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

8,815

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

53%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$56,444

Out-of-State

$56,444

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Dec 1
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