New application deadlines are now in effect starting for the Fall 2027 entering class:
Early Action & Early Decision I Application Deadlines: November 1, 2026
Early Decision II Application Deadline: January 5, 2027
Regular Decision Application Deadline: January 15, 2027
Not sure which application deadline is right for you, or have questions about the admission process? Visit our FAQ page for more information.
Your future here is bright.
Imagine yourself here, where minds expand and spirits connect. Where vision becomes reality, and where you’re empowered to create a world filled with possibility and hope. Here at the University of San Diego, you will expand the limits of knowledge and forge lifelong relationships that nurture your dreams. Because when we all come together to share our inner light, we accomplish so much more than just learning. We illuminate the path to a brighter future.
Torero Life
You Belong Here
As a contemporary Catholic university ranked among the nation’s top 50 universities, we’re home to visionaries and Changemakers from all backgrounds. We come together to experience academic excellence, create a lifetime of memories and inspire one another to follow the guiding light that illuminates our dreams.
Life at Alcalá Park
Bright Skies, Bold Visions
Find your home here, at one of the nation’s most beautiful college campuses, where you’ll share big ideas under palm trees and sunny skies. Explore the eighth-largest city in the nation, just 20 miles from the border with Mexico. Surrounded by the warmth of community, lit by the excitement of discovery, find yourself at home at the University of San Diego.
Life in San Diego
Beach Town Vibes with Big City Opportunities
Although we're probably best known for our beaches, San Diego is also quite the bustling city. You'll have plenty of incredible opportunities for internships and professional development – and all within about 15 minutes of campus.
14:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
23
Average Class Size
92.1%
First-to-Second-Year Retention
6,049
Undergraduates
Top 5
Most Beautiful Campus
The Princeton Review
Top 15
Best Quality of Life
The Princeton Review
Top 50
National Universities
Wall Street Journal
Top 10
Best Schools Making an Impact
The Princeton Review
New Academic Heights
Majors and Minors
USD offers 48 different bachelor’s degrees, several of which offer areas of specialization, and all of which are rooted in USD’s tradition as a liberal arts university. Additional programs are offered as minors, and most of our majors can also be pursued as minors.
While visiting USD, I repeatedly heard how beneficial the small class sizes and 1-on-1 interactions with professors were for Toreros; they said it helped them feel 'seen' by their professors. Two years later, I know what they shared is true. My professors are always pushing me to thrive — as a student and a person.
A Global Perspective
Study Abroad
At USD, the light of curiosity can’t be contained within our campus walls. Living at the edge of an international gateway, we learn from our neighbors and become citizens of the world. From service and learning trips to Tijuana, Mexico, to the USD Madrid Center in Spain — and beyond, to 76 cities in 44 countries — our Toreros embrace the transformative possibilities of multicultural perspectives.
Be Well
Nurture the Light Within
When you commit to learning at USD, we commit to fostering your well-being — body, mind and spirit. At USD’s newly-constructed Palomar Health Student Wellness Center, you’ll find spaces for physical fitness, mental health, inner self, engagement and belonging — and you’ll refresh yourself with a fresh-squeezed juice to enjoy on our patio, flooded with sunlight and surrounded by friends.
6%
International Students
40%
Out-of-State Students
160+
Clubs and Organizations
1 of 23
Changemaker Campuses Worldwide
Creating Change
We are Changemakers
We confront humanity's urgent challenges with empathy and innovation. We cherish the knowledge we learn inside and outside of the classroom to inspire change. To make a difference. To serve others.
Career Readiness
Light Your Way to Success
Your time as a Torero doesn’t end when you walk across the stage in your cap and gown during commencement. That’s just the beginning of a life filled with meaning and purpose.
Your dream job. Your first-choice graduate school. Your calling as a full-time public servant. At USD, we light your way with career readiness programs during your undergraduate studies. Compass, Connect and Passport strengthen your resume, providing collaborative, skill-building sessions and networking events and opportunities which teach the skills and share the insights necessary for a lifetime of success.
Frequently Asked Questions:
The University of San Diego is located in San Diego, California — the eighth-largest city in the U.S. — and just 20 miles from the Mexico border. With easy access to beaches and a vibrant downtown, USD places students in a globally connected city with strong opportunities for internships, research and career growth.
The University of San Diego offers more than 45 undergraduate majors and academic programs across its schools and colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, Knauss School of Business and Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. Students can choose from traditional majors, interdisciplinary programs and pre-professional pathways designed to support a wide range of academic and career goals.
Applying as a first-year or transfer to the University of San Diego is done through the Common Application. Students are required to submit their application, official transcripts, a personal statement and letters of recommendation.
USD is test free, so SAT or ACT scores are not required. The admissions team reviews each application holistically, considering academic performance, extracurricular involvement, leadership and personal character.
Yes, the University of San Diego offers a wide range of study abroad programs that take learning beyond campus. In fact, USD was ranked #2 nationally for study abroad participation, with nearly 90% of students participating in a study abroad opportunity. Students can participate in service and learning opportunities in nearby Tijuana, Mexico, study at the USD Madrid Center in Spain and explore opportunities in 76 cities across 44 countries.
The University of San Diego has approximately 6,000 undergraduate students and 4,000 graduate students, creating a close-knit campus community with small class sizes and strong connections between students and faculty.
At the University of San Diego, about 40% of undergraduate students come from out of state.
A Changemaker campus is a title given to a university that is deeply committed to helping students create positive social impact. At USD, that means providing opportunities inside and outside the classroom to engage in social change, social innovation, service learning, community engagement, social justice and philanthropy.
As a designated Changemaker campus for over a decade, USD encourages students to be intentional about solving social and environmental problems, motivated to take action and creative in how they approach solutions. It’s part of a global network of nearly 50 universities working to advance meaningful, systems-level change in communities around the world.
The University of San Diego is a strong fit for students who want a rigorous academic experience paired with a close-knit community and a focus on real-world impact. If you’re looking for small class sizes, personalized faculty support, opportunities for research and hands-on learning and a campus culture centered on community engagement and global awareness, USD may be an excellent match.