University of San Diego Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

The GPA requirement at the University of San Diego differs program-wise. However, the general required GPA at the university is 2.75 or higher. USD considers a student’s GPA to be a very important factor in admission consideration. Other requirements include university or high school transcripts and English language proficiency score. However, University of San Diego is test free for undergraduate applicants.

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.

International students are required to show proof for English language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or Duolingo. However, the University of San Diego required score for IELTS UG is 6.5 and for PG students, it is 7. Students must submit the test scores along with other required documents such as transcripts and previous educational coursework.

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:

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.

Yes, the University of San Diego offers scholarship opportunities for international students such as Alcala, Trustee, and Presidential scholarships. The scholarships are awarded based on student’s academic performance and community involvement. 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. Also, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.00 and full time status (12-18 units each semester) to be eligible for scholarships.

The applications are reviewed thoroughly by the university. For Regular Admits, students receive the admit letters by the beginning of April each year. Students also receive an email regarding the application/admission decision. Regular updates are sent by the university via email.

Note: It is recommended to register with an active email ID and check it frequently for the latest updates on admission related information. Also, students must remain active on the official website of the university to stay updated with any admission related announcements.

The University of San Diego is known for its academic excellence. For instance, the university has some of the best undergraduate business programs and ranks among the top MBA programme globally. USD is also known for offering over 80 programs in more than 30 countries. The university is also recognised as one of the most sustainable campuses in the nation, earning a gold ranking from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

For your first semester at San Diego University, these tips could be of help to you: 

• Participate: Become involved in student organizations, go to events, and make new friends. This is a fantastic method to meet people and establish yourself on campus.
• Use your time well: It might be difficult to juggle extracurricular activities, schoolwork, and a social life. To prioritize your responsibilities and maintain organization, use a planner or calendar.
• Employ the resources on campus: Make use of resources like the Career Services, Tutoring Center, and Writing Center. Your academic and professional success is the goal of these services.
• Remain well: Taking care of oneself is crucial because college may be a stressful place. Get adequate sleep, eat healthfully, and exercise frequently. 
• Attend your classes regularly.

The University of San Diego offers various courses and programs that are nationally ranked and give hands on experience to its international students. These courses have their own set of eligibility criteria and deadline. However, some of the popular programs are Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; Engineering; Psychology; Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services; Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities; and English Language and Literature/Letters

The step-by-step process to apply San Diego’s undergraduate courses has been explained by the university as follows:

Step 1: Visit the US Common Undergraduate Application Portal at apply.commonapp.org/login.

Step 2: Create an account on the Common App portal. Click on Apply for First-Year for fresh applications.

Step 3: Click on ‘first-year student’.

Step 4: Fill in your details, email ID, name, phone number, etc. Create a password according to the instructions given. The password should be noted for future reference.

Step 5: After filling in the data and checking the boxes, you can sign in and proceed with the instructions sent to your email.

Next, wait for the results.

The step-by-step process to apply as an international graduate through the San Diego application portal is as follows:

Step 1: Visit the university website and sign in if you have an existing account.

Step 2: Choose the programme and intake in which you wish to study.

Step 3: Check the details and click on ‘Continue To My Application’.

Step 4: Fill in all the sections.

Next, wait for the results.

The University of San Diego offers a variety of room options to live in for international students. The cost of living on campus of USD for 2023/24 semesters are as follows.

All the courses at USD are taught in English therefore it is required to submit an IELTS score for the applicants to get admission.

English Requirements for International Students

International students coming from non-English-speaking countries, such as India, need to prove their language proficiency through either of the following standardized English exam scores:

Note: These are generic requirements for graduates and undergraduates aspiring to study at the university. Some of the courses may have higher score requirements or different academic and language requirements.

Please refer to the intended course page on the university website to check the exact limit on each course.

The University of San Diego has a single huge campus sprawling across 180 acres of land located in San Diego, California. Perched on a pristine canyon, the campus is easily navigable and pedestrian-friendly. It boasts:

• Member, West Coast Conference and Pioneer Football League

• 17 NCAA Division I teams and 23 sports clubs

• Fitness training through numerous recreation clubs

• 9 each of national fraternities and sororities

• Student Life Pavilion offering amazing dining options, a full-service market, engaging student activities, etc.

• A residential campus with 93% of freshman and 43% of undergraduates

• 10 separate living areas, with options to choose from shared rooms to independent apartments

The University of San Diego is focused on student welfare. Freshmen are required to live on-campus in assigned college housing.

Traditional First-Year Housing Options

• Camino

• Founders

• Maher Hall

• Valley A

• Valley B

• Valley Apartments, such as the San Buenaventura

Housing Requirements

• A housing contract and a prepayment of USD 200 are required to self-select the rooms

• Unmarried students below 20 years require an agreement from their legal guardians

• For students above 20 years, there is an option to enter into two-year agreements

• The seats are limited; hence, the selection is on a first-come-first-served basis

• The housing portal helps students choose room conditions, appliances, etc.

Housing Expenses

The expenses vary with choices of students/residents. These depend on:

1. Choice of the housing area and room

2. Appliances and conditions

3. Meal plan

Source: University of San Diego

The super-single rooms are double or triple rooms converted to single rooms. The availability of rooms depends on the number of residents and the intake. The seats to super-single, single, and double rooms are limited.

Cost of Living

The living expenses that international students might incur during their time of education for the academic year 2020-2021 have been specified by the university as follows:

Source: University of San Diego

*1 USD = 83.15 INR

International students must keep into account these and other miscellaneous costs along with the tuition fee while preparing their overall budget.

Note:Living costs vary depending on students’ lifestyle choices. Additionally, housing and dining rates are subject to change with progressive years. To know the exact costs of on or off-campus accommodation, please check the university’s accommodations webpage.

The acceptance rate at the University of San Diego is 53%. The university is moderately selective in admissions, with a 53% acceptance rate. It is not difficult to gain admission to the University of San Diego, but it is also not simple. Before applying to the University of San Diego, international students should check the minimal eligibility requirements for their subject.

The tuition fee at the University of San Diego will depend on the type of course and level of study. Below we have given the tuition fee for some popular courses at the University of San Diego.

The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the University of San Diego (USD) are not the same. There are two distinct universities.
Located in San Diego, California, the University of San Diego  (USD) is a private Roman Catholic research institution. Strong undergraduate programs, especially in business, law, and nursing, are its hallmark. 
The University of California San Diego  (UCSD), on the other hand, is a public research institution that is a component of the University of California network. Strong programs in science, engineering, and social sciences are hallmarks of UCSD.
Both universities are separate establishments with their own campuses, professors, and academic offerings, even though they are both in San Diego and provide top-notch academic programs.

The University of San Diego does indeed accept students from other countries. They accept students from all over the world and have a diverse and welcoming community.  University of San Diego Acceptance Rate is 53% that means out of 100 applicants 53 have higher chances of getting admission. If international student wants to apply to USD, they should check the website of the university for the unique requirements for international candidates and make sure they meet all of them.