At $31,265/yr net price, University of San Diego graduates earn $86,522/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $52,522/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,265 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $125,060 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $86,522/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$52,522/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 81.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $22,940 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,543/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,083/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,998/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,397/yr |
| $110,001+ | $46,152/yr |
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 |
| Business/Managerial Economics. | Bachelor | $69,338 | |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Doctoral | $69,338 |
The Risk Factor
81.6% of students at University of San Diego graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
University of San Diego gives you a strong financial return, with graduate earnings well above what you carry in debt. Median debt sits under $23,000 while median earnings reach the mid-$80,000s a decade out, so you graduate owing less than a year's typical pay. An 82% grad rate and 90% retention mean you are likely to finish and finish on time, which is where most college debt problems actually come from.
The engineering and business majors carry this school. Electrical engineering leads on pay, though it also loads you with the most debt of any listed program. Business economics and mechanical engineering both clear $67,000 without pushing debt as high. Real estate stands out as the efficient pick: it pays $63,000 while leaving you with under $20,000 in debt, the lowest ratio of the top programs. Accounting rounds out a lineup that leans hard toward pre-professional fields, which fits San Diego's finance, real estate, and tech employers.
The main risk is the sticker price. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay roughly $46,000 a year, and a humanities or general-studies path at that price does not carry the same math as engineering or accounting. USD lists no bachelor-level payoff data outside its technical and business majors, so pick your major deliberately if you are paying full freight.
If your family earns under $48,000, your net price drops to around $18,000 a year, and the return here is genuinely good at that cost. USD is a strong fit for you if you commit to engineering, accounting, real estate, or business economics. If you want a lower-earning major and cannot access the lower price tiers, a California public university will likely serve your wallet better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is University of San Diego worth the cost?
University of San Diego graduates earn $86,522 after 10 years, which is solid but not exceptional given the $31,265 annual net price. The nursing programs offer much better returns at $91,744-$117,572, while other majors may struggle to justify the cost.
What are the best paying majors at University of San Diego?
Nursing programs lead with salaries from $91,744 to $117,572, followed by Medical Illustration at $94,408. Business and Real Estate majors earn around $89,500, which is decent but not outstanding for the tuition paid.
How much debt do University of San Diego students graduate with?
The median debt is $22,940, which is manageable compared to many private schools. However, students in lower-paying majors outside of nursing may find this debt burden challenging relative to their starting salaries.
Does University of San Diego have good financial aid?
With a net price of $31,265, USD provides meaningful aid since the sticker price is much higher. Still, this remains expensive for most families, and the financial return varies significantly by major choice.