How Much Does It Cost to Attend USD, the Beautiful Private University in San Diego?

When talking about private universities in San Diego, the University of San Diego, or USD for short, is a school that always comes up.

At first glance, one might think it's part of the California State University system, but it is actually a Catholic private university established in 1949.

It is entirely different from UC San Diego (UCSD) or San Diego State University (SDSU).

The campus is located on a hill between Mission Bay and downtown San Diego.

Spanning about 180 acres, the campus features white buildings in the Spanish Renaissance style, and visiting it feels more like being in a luxurious European resort than an American university.

With such great weather, it's truly enviable for students to have such a wonderful environment for studying. The undergraduate population is around 6,000, which is relatively small compared to large public universities.

It is well-known for its programs in business, engineering, nursing, and law, with the Knauss School of Business and the law school being particularly prestigious.

Although it is a Catholic university, it does not only admit Catholic students. Anyone can apply regardless of their religious background, and the school places a strong emphasis on ethics education and community service.

However, what most Korean parents are most curious about is the tuition. No matter how good the school is, it's essential to calculate the total cost over four years.

Tuition and Living Expenses for USD for the 2026-2027 Academic Year

The undergraduate tuition for the 2026-2027 academic year is approximately $64,100. Adding an estimated $14,200 for room and board brings the total to $78,300. Costs for books, transportation, and personal expenses are additional.

Here's a summary of the estimated annual costs:

• Tuition: $64,100

• Room and Board: $14,200

• Books and Supplies: Approximately $1,200

• Transportation and Personal Expenses: Approximately $3,000

• Total Annual Budget: Approximately $82,500

Additional costs such as school fees or health insurance may also arise.

When converted to Korean currency, this is quite a significant amount. Over $80,000 a year means about $330,000 over four years.

This assumes that tuition does not increase each year. If there are two children, one can imagine how substantial the tuition burden would be.

Moreover, USD generally requires freshmen and sophomores to live on campus. However, exceptions can be made for commuting students whose parents reside in San Diego County.

Of course, not every student pays this amount. According to the school, over 75% of undergraduates receive scholarships or financial aid. Since there are merit-based scholarships and support based on family circumstances, the actual amount paid can vary significantly from student to student.

For example, if a student receives a $20,000 scholarship, their actual cost would drop to about $62,500. If they maintain the same scholarship for four years, they would save a total of $80,000. However, scholarships must be renewed each year based on certain conditions.

For families with U.S. citizens or permanent residents, it's important to carefully review financial aid applications through FAFSA. International students need to check eligibility and scholarship conditions separately.

Another advantage of USD is that its smaller size allows for relatively active interaction between professors and students. If you prefer an educational environment that pays attention to individual students rather than large lectures with hundreds of students like at big public universities, it can be an attractive choice.

Sports are also vibrant. USD's athletic teams, known as the Toreros, compete in NCAA Division I, particularly excelling in baseball and basketball. There are also various programs for study abroad and community service.

Ultimately, USD is an attractive school with a beautiful campus and a small private university educational environment, but it's essential to carefully calculate and decide based on costs.

Especially for Korean parents, considering not only acceptance but also how much scholarship money is available and what career paths are available after graduation is a realistic approach to choosing a college. Paying high tuition does not guarantee good outcomes.