by our College Data Analytics TeamCollege Factual’s Best for the Money Rankings compare the quality of a USD degree with its cost to decide whether the school is asking a fair price. Here is how USD measures up.
USD is ranked #2,783 out of 3,211 schools for value nationwide, earning a value grade of D+. Within California, it ranks #225 of 304 for value.
These USD majors earned the highest value rankings from College Factual.
| Major | National Value Rank |
|---|---|
| Real Estate | #27 of 35 |
| Biophysics | #37 of 47 |
| General Engineering | #56 of 66 |
| Engineering | #59 of 70 |
| International Business | #80 of 106 |
| International Business/Trade/Commerce | #80 of 106 |
| General Industrial Engineering | #83 of 89 |
| Industrial Engineering | #83 of 89 |
| International Relations | #87 of 115 |
| International Relations & National Security | #91 of 119 |
Below is the detailed USD value breakdown: state and national value rankings, the real cost of a degree, and how the price stacks up against the aid most students receive.
University of San Diego is ranked #22 out of #346 in California for quality and #225 out of #304 for California value.
Do you qualify for in-state tuition? Check the USD financial aid page to be sure.
University of San Diego is ranked #2,783 out of 3,211 for value nationwide.
Based on our analysis of other colleges at similar price points, University of San Diego is overpriced for the quality of education it provides.
Averaged across all students — those who receive aid and those who pay full price — a year at USD costs about $42,009. Over a standard four-year bachelor's program, that adds up to an estimated $168,037 for the degree.
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Sticker Price (before aid) | $78,883 / year |
| Net Price (students receiving aid) | $30,365 / year |
| Average Cost (all students) | $42,009 / year |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $168,037 |
*The average cost weights the net price paid by aid recipients against the sticker price paid by everyone else. The 4-year figure assumes the standard bachelor's length; your actual time to graduate and price may differ.
Your price depends heavily on your family income and the aid you qualify for. See the USD net price page for a fuller breakdown of what you might actually pay.
The price you actually pay depends on your circumstances — most students do not pay the full sticker price.
Here is how the estimated 4-year cost of a USD degree breaks down by aid group, against its national value ranking.
| Nationwide Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $315,532 | — | — |
| All Students | $168,037 | #2,783 | D+ |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $121,460 | — | — |
| In-State Value by Aid Group | Avg Degree Cost | Value Rank | Value Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students with No Aid | $315,532 | — | — |
| All Students | $168,037 | #225 | F |
| Only Students Receiving Aid | $121,460 | — | — |
*College Factual publishes a single overall value ranking (the All Students row). The cost rows show what each aid group pays toward the same degree.
You can also see how the average net price at USD shifts with family income:
| Family Income | Avg Net Price / Year |
|---|---|
| $0–$30K | $17,543 |
| $30K–$48K | $18,083 |
| $48K–$75K | $19,998 |
| $75K–$110K | $28,397 |
| Over $110K | $46,152 |
About 76% of USD undergraduates receive grant or scholarship aid, averaging $37,818 per year. Get more details on the USD financial aid you may qualify for.
College Factual determines value by weighing a school’s average total cost against its educational quality, then comparing it to other schools in the same quality tier. See the USD net price page for the cost detail.
Read the full Best for the Money Ranking Methodology.