USD Sees Record Diversity and Academic Excellence in its Newest Class

The University of San Diego’s Class of 2026 is the most diverse in its history. 

The incoming class of first-years is composed of roughly 1,245 students; 49% of whom identify as students of color. It is the seventh consecutive year that enrollment of students of color has grown from the previous year.  

USD President James T. Harris, EdD, referenced the university’s continuous growing diversity during his welcome speech to first-year and transfer students last Saturday inside the Jenny Craig Pavilion.  

“Studies have shown that the more diverse an institution is, the better the overall learning environment,” Harris said. “Learning takes place both inside and outside the classroom. If you interact with people from across the globe and from different religious backgrounds and belief systems, you are preparing yourself for the future.” 

Twenty-seven percent of the class identify as Hispanic and 5.4% identify as Black — both record highs. Twenty-four percent are first generation college students. Academic excellence continues to be high for admitted first-years, with the average GPA an impressive 4.01 (weighted); the middle 50% have a GPA ranging between 3.78 and 4.25.

"The Class of 2026 is the most diverse and best academically prepared in the history of USD," Harris said. "We think this broad diversity of backgrounds, deities and beliefs make the learning environment at USD very special, indeed." The incoming class is made up of students who come from 14 different faith traditions; 40% are Catholic and 32% attended a Catholic high school.

Harris also noted that most employers say that one of the characteristics they are looking for in new college graduates are those who can work with and relate to people from different backgrounds.

“The University of San Diego seeks to set the standard for an engaged, contemporary Catholic university where innovative changemakers confront humanity's urgent challenges. This class looks well prepared to have an immediate impact on our community,” Harris said.  — Matthew Piechalak