Tuition and Financial Aid

The University of San Diego has a variety of resources to help applicants finance their graduate business education. Explore the possibilities below to discover funding sources that meet your needs. For additional information about financial aid, please also visit USD's Financial Aid Website.

MBA/IMBA Tuition and Fees

The University of San Diego's graduate programs charge a per unit fee for tuition. The cost of tuition for the 2012-2013 academic year is $1280 per unit. For additional information about estimated tuition and fees, please see Full-time MBA and IMBA Fees or Evening MBA Fees.

Merit Scholarships

All Full-time MBA, IMBA, and Evening MBA applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships available through the University of San Diego and the School of Business Administration. These scholarships are typically awarded to high-caliber applicants who have a GMAT score of 600 or higher (610 for the FT MBA) and other solid credentials. Applicants are notified of any scholarship funds at the time of admission.

Graduate Assistantships

MBA students may apply for an appointment to work with School of Business Administration faculty to help offset the cost of tuition. Students who are not working full-time can assist a faculty member with research and other projects for 40 hours during the semester in exchange for $1,200 in tuition assistance (students may apply for 1 assistantship their first semester, and then one or two in following semesters). Once admitted to an MBA program, students are notified about the application process for available assistantships. Priority for assistantships goes to students who do not receive merit scholarships.

Need-based Financial Aid

U.S. citizens and certain permanent residents are eligible to apply for need-based loans and grants. Please see the USD Financial Aid Web site for application details. The deadline to be considered for need-based grants is April 1st. To be considered for the highest level of aid possible, applicants are encouraged to submit a FAFSA with USD indicated as an institution of choice by April 1st even if they have not completed the application process yet.

Ahlers Center for International Business Study Abroad Scholarships

In addition to offering reduced tuition rates for short-term study abroad courses, the Ahlers Center for International Business awards scholarships to reduce the financial burden associated with the extra costs of taking classes which require international travel. Selection criteria include academic excellence, relevance of classes or international experience to applicant’s career goals, and financial need. Students who apply for short-term study abroad courses are notified of the scholarship application process.

On Campus Employment

Students may apply to work for a department on campus for an hourly rate (typically $8 - $10/hour). This option is particularly popular among international students who are restricted from working off-campus during the first year of their program by their student visa status.

Yellow-Ribbon Participating School

Students who have served in the United States military in any capacity since September 11, 2001, may be eligible for Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits and the Yellow Ribbon Program. The University of San Diego is a proud participant in the Yellow Ribbon Program.