The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic institution committed to advancing academic excellence, expanding liberal and professional knowledge, creating a diverse and inclusive community, and preparing leaders dedicated to ethical conduct and compassionate service.

— USD Mission Statement

Core Values

The University of San Diego expresses its Catholic identity by witnessing and probing the Christian message as proclaimed by the Roman Catholic Church. The university promotes the intellectual exploration of religious faith, recruits persons and develops programs supporting the university's mission, and cultivates an active faith community. It is committed to the dignity and fullest development of the whole person. The Catholic tradition of the university provides the foundation upon which the core values listed below support the mission.

At USD, living our mission means connecting to the core values that define the Torero experience:

Academic Excellence

The University of San Diego offers a values-based education in which ethics and intellectual inquiry serve to form the foundation of learning. The diversity of USD's academic programs, breadth of resources and state-of-the-art facilities guarantee that students will find a course of study that is both challenging and thought provoking.

Knowledge

In order to advance the intellectual development of students, USD promotes democratic and global citizenship; cultivates an appreciation for beauty, goodness and truth; and creates opportunities for physical, spiritual, emotional, social and cultural development. Additionally, USD prepares students to understand complex issues through an educational experience grounded in the foundations of liberal learning.

Community

USD is committed to creating a welcoming, inclusive and collaborative community characterized by a rich diversity of people and ideas. The university values students, faculty and staff from different backgrounds and faith traditions, and is committed to creating an atmosphere of trust, safety and respect.

Ethical Conduct

Developing ethical and responsible leaders who are empowered to engage a diverse and changing world is, and always will be, a foundational component of the USD mission. In support of this objective, the university provides a values-based education that informs the development of ethical judgment and behavior, and fosters a commitment to the common good of all mankind.

Compassionate Service

At USD, students, faculty and staff have the opportunity to roll up their sleeves and join in the effort to affect and sustain positive change. The university embraces the Catholic moral and social tradition by actively promoting the values of compassion and service in order to fashion a more just and humane world.