About The Chicago School at San Diego
The Chicago School at San Diego focuses entirely on psychology and behavioral health graduate programs. With only 5 students enrolled, this is about as small and specialized as higher education gets. The school operates in San Diego's large city environment, giving students access to diverse clinical and research opportunities in one of California's major metropolitan areas.
Students pay $20,844 in tuition regardless of where they live, and 50% receive financial aid. Half of students take on federal loans, graduating with a median debt of $20,000. That translates to monthly loan payments of about $212. The investment appears to pay off quickly, with graduates earning $60,996 in their first year after graduation. By their fifth year, median earnings jump to $65,602, and ten years out, graduates typically earn $56,899. The employment rate sits at 94.4%, reflecting strong job prospects in mental health fields.
The student body is 80% women and 20% men, which aligns with national trends in psychology programs. The demographic mix includes 40% Hispanic students, 20% Black students, and 20% White students. With a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 100% acceptance rate, the school appears to prioritize individualized attention over selectivity. Half of students qualify for Pell Grants, indicating the program serves students from lower-income backgrounds.
Students pay $20,844 in tuition regardless of where they live, and 50% receive financial aid. Half of students take on federal loans, graduating with a median debt of $20,000. That translates to monthly loan payments of about $212. The investment appears to pay off quickly, with graduates earning $60,996 in their first year after graduation. By their fifth year, median earnings jump to $65,602, and ten years out, graduates typically earn $56,899. The employment rate sits at 94.4%, reflecting strong job prospects in mental health fields.
The student body is 80% women and 20% men, which aligns with national trends in psychology programs. The demographic mix includes 40% Hispanic students, 20% Black students, and 20% White students. With a 5:1 student-to-faculty ratio and 100% acceptance rate, the school appears to prioritize individualized attention over selectivity. Half of students qualify for Pell Grants, indicating the program serves students from lower-income backgrounds.
Academics & Faculty
The Chicago School at San Diego focuses entirely on psychology and behavioral health graduate programs, making it a specialized training ground for future therapists and mental health professionals. With just 5 students enrolled, the school offers an incredibly intimate learning environment where the 5:1 student-faculty ratio means you'll get direct mentorship that's impossible at larger universities. This is graduate-level training for people who already have their bachelor's degree and want to become licensed counselors or psychologists. The school's specialty means every course, every professor, and every clinical opportunity centers on psychology rather than spreading resources across dozens of majors like traditional universities do.
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 5:1
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $56,899
- Carnegie Classification
- Associate College (High Career)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $46,833 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Master | $28,236 |
Campus Life
The Chicago School's San Diego campus operates with just 5 students total, creating an extremely intimate learning environment where you'll know every classmate personally. With an 80% female student body and a 5:1 student-faculty ratio, classes feel more like small discussion groups than traditional lectures. The campus sits in San Diego's urban core, where year-round temperatures hover in the 70s and you'll need sunscreen far more often than a winter coat.
As a graduate-focused psychology program, there's no traditional campus life with dorms or football games. Most students commute to classes and clinical placements throughout the city. San Diego's beaches are minutes away, and many students decompress after intense psychology coursework by walking along the Pacific or exploring Balboa Park. The small cohort size means study groups often turn into close friendships, and with 94.4% of graduates finding employment, networking happens naturally within your tiny class. Weekend activities typically revolve around the broader San Diego area rather than campus events, since this is primarily a professional training environment rather than a traditional college experience.
As a graduate-focused psychology program, there's no traditional campus life with dorms or football games. Most students commute to classes and clinical placements throughout the city. San Diego's beaches are minutes away, and many students decompress after intense psychology coursework by walking along the Pacific or exploring Balboa Park. The small cohort size means study groups often turn into close friendships, and with 94.4% of graduates finding employment, networking happens naturally within your tiny class. Weekend activities typically revolve around the broader San Diego area rather than campus events, since this is primarily a professional training environment rather than a traditional college experience.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
Campus Safety (2023)
1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 49°–65°F
- July Avg
- 65°–74°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 10.3"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
The Chicago School at San Diego draws students passionate about psychology and behavioral health, which explains why 80% of students are women, reflecting the gender patterns typical in mental health fields. With only 5 total students, this graduate program creates an intimate learning environment where half the students receive Pell Grants, showing the school serves working professionals from diverse economic backgrounds. The student body is 40% Hispanic and 40% students of color overall, making it one of the more diverse psychology programs in California and connecting well with San Diego's multicultural community.
- Men
- 20.0%
- Women
- 80.0%
- White
- 20.0%
- Black
- 20.0%
- Hispanic
- 40.0%
- Asian
- 0.0%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 50.0%
Location
The Chicago School's San Diego campus sits in California's second-largest city, home to 1.4 million people. San Diego offers year-round temperatures in the 70s and sits just 20 miles north of the Mexican border. The city combines major urban amenities with 70 miles of Pacific coastline and world-famous beaches like La Jolla and Mission Beach. Students can access internships at major healthcare systems like UC San Diego Health and Scripps, which matters for a psychology-focused graduate program. The city's biotech industry and military presence create diverse research opportunities. San Diego's cost of living runs about 40% higher than the national average. Students considering colleges in California may also compare The Chicago School at San Diego with similar schools in the region.
- Address
- San Diego, California 92101-7903
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $56,899
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $65,602
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $212/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $20,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at The Chicago School at San Diego?
The Chicago School at San Diego accepts 100% of applicants. This graduate-focused psychology program has a tiny enrollment of just 5 students, making it highly specialized rather than highly selective.
How much does The Chicago School at San Diego cost for tuition?
Tuition costs $20,844 per year for all students regardless of residency status. With 50% of students receiving financial aid, the school helps make its psychology and behavioral health programs accessible to diverse learners.
What is the student-faculty ratio at The Chicago School at San Diego?
The student-faculty ratio is 5:1, providing extremely personalized attention in this intimate academic setting. This boutique-style graduate program focuses exclusively on psychology and behavioral health education.
What do graduates of The Chicago School at San Diego earn after graduation?
Graduates earn a median of $56,899 ten years after graduation, with 94.4% finding employment. The school's focus on psychology and behavioral health prepares students for careers in mental health and related fields.
Where is The Chicago School at San Diego located?
The campus sits in San Diego, California, offering students access to a major metropolitan area. With only 5 total students, this specialized graduate program operates more like an exclusive cohort than a traditional campus.
Is The Chicago School at San Diego diverse in its student population?
The student body is 40% Hispanic, 20% Black, and 20% White, reflecting strong diversity. Women make up 80% of enrollment, which aligns with broader trends in psychology and behavioral health graduate programs.
