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USD students studying in Copley Library on campus

Outcomes of a USD Education

What does student success look like at USD?

It's learning that Changemaking isn’t just a word, it's a belief that you can make a difference anywhere, anytime. It's being on a campus where relationships are lifelong and the liberal arts curriculum is life-changing. It's seeing the world through another's perspective, blurring borders and boundaries, and being better for it. It's getting your foot in the door with iconic business brands like Google, Nike and Amazon, exploring a wealth of nonprofit volunteer and employment opportunities here in San Diego, or learning how to blaze your own professional path.

Studying the liberal arts means forging your own path

Just ask Luke Garrett, a physics and philosophy double major who discovered a passion for journalism at USD.

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Creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all is central to being a Torero.
Ranked #1 in study abroad participation, USD students are global thinkers.
Students have the chance to work side by side with professors on real-world research.
The new Core Curriculum offers students a foundation for success in the 21st century.
First-year students meet like-minded peers as part of a Living Learning Community, or LLC.
Working alongside the wider community often makes a lasting impact on our students.
79% of USD students participate in internship, research or community service.
A Transfer Learning Community (TLC) provides peak academic and social experiences.
We're Changemakers. It's a designation that invites everyone to lead meaningful impact.

Next steps for USD graduates

Whether it is grad school, a new job, an internship or service work, USD grads go out prepared to make a difference.
* Data based on 2024-25 graduates

94%

career outcomes rate

$77,620

average starting salary

91%

received their first full-time job offer within three months of graduating

Who’s hiring USD graduates?

USD connects students and alumni with employment both during and after their educational pursuits. USD offers frequent networking events, strong, consistent relationships with alumni and alumni businesses, professional partnerships and events where industry experts come to campus to share their advice.

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What do USD graduates go on to study?

One outcome of an education rooted in the liberal arts is a thirst for knowledge. Many of our students look to an advanced degree as an opportunity to further their skills, expand interest in a particular field and explore their passion for teaching or research as a career.

Visit Graduate School Outcomes

21.7%

Business

5.9%

Humanities

16.4%

Health

2.0%

Professional Studies

14.5%

Education

16.4%

Engineering and Science

12.5%

Social Science

10.5%

Law

Life after USD

How change happens

With a curriculum grounded in the Catholic tradition and shaped by the liberal arts, USD focuses on the development of the whole person—their intellectual, spiritual, creative and social capacity. From the moment students arrive on campus, they are developing the connections and competencies they’ll need to succeed in our dynamic and ever-changing world.

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Emitte Spiritum Tuum ("Send Forth Thy Spirit")
―USD Motto

Success Stories

CEO of Sunrise Banks

David Reiling '89

(BBA)

“There was that aha moment during my time at USD,” recalls David Reiling ’89 (BBA), who is CEO of Sunrise Banks. “It was, ‘You’re going to have to earn a living, but finding your purpose in the world is really the place where you’re going be happy.’” He credits USD for nurturing his search for that purpose. “How do you find both a financial paycheck and the emotional paycheck within the work that you do? To make it not really work, but to make it your life’s purpose?”

Co-creator, Artists Building Community Project

Natasha Ridley '16

(MA)

"The arts and leadership go together. While leadership studies don't always leave a lot off space for cretivity and innovation, when you start to add the arts, you can come up with all sorts of different ideas. I actually did a dance in my 'Love and Leadership' cass. We were supposed to bring a gift to share with the class."

CEO of Foundation for Women Warriors

Jodie Grenier '18

(MA)

"My experience in the School of Leadership and Education Sciences’ Nonprofit and Leadership master’s program was serendipitous. It was the most amazing experience I have ever had, because when I got this position I had the unique ability to take what I was learning and immediately deploy it.”

CEO/co-founder of Grounded Grassfed

Byron Palmer '03

(BBA)

"I had some formative experiences at USD, which basically began a deep searching for me in how I wanted to participate in trying to make the world a better place."

Next Steps