Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 82.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 81.6%
- Retention Rate
- 89.8%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $86,522
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $22,940
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 14:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 80.1%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $243/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $117,572 | $105,176 |
| Medical Illustration and Informatics. | Master | $94,408 | $48,680 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $91,744 | $119,008 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $89,672 | $48,756 |
| Real Estate. | Master | $89,530 | |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | Master | $84,653 | $135,168 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $75,706 | $29,276 |
| Law. | Doctoral | $73,391 | $145,850 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $69,338 | |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Education, General. | Master | $68,079 | $33,705 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $67,324 | $26,187 |
| Real Estate. | Bachelor | $63,005 | $19,699 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $61,962 | $24,969 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Bachelor | $61,069 | $23,094 |
Outcomes Overview
USD graduates earn a median of $86,522 ten years after graduation, creating a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of just 26% with typical debt of $22,940. Monthly loan payments of $243 represent only 3.5% of median income, well below financial advisors' recommended 10% threshold. The school's Catholic liberal arts foundation and strong business programs funnel graduates into finance, consulting, and healthcare management roles along the West Coast. An employment rate of 92.7% reflects the university's solid regional reputation and alumni network in Southern California's robust economy. The 80% loan repayment rate indicates most graduates successfully manage their financial obligations. This represents a strong return on investment for a private Catholic university.