University of San Diego

What is the history of University of San Diego?

The University of San Diego (USD) is a private Catholic university whose present form dates to a 1972 merger. Its roots reach back to 1949, when the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart founded the San Diego College for Women. The affiliated San Diego University, which educated men, followed in the 1950s.

The two institutions developed on the Alcalá Park campus before combining as the University of San Diego. That history helps explain USD's identity today: a Catholic liberal-arts foundation alongside professional education in fields such as business, engineering, law, nursing, education, and peace studies. Applicants should not confuse USD with the public University of California San Diego or San Diego State University; they are separate institutions.

What are the faculties and departments at University of San Diego?

USD organizes its academic programs across the College of Arts and Sciences and several professional schools. Undergraduates can study subjects ranging from biology, communication, and political science to accounting, computer science, and engineering. Graduate and professional offerings broaden the university's scope.

Its principal academic units include the College of Arts and Sciences; Knauss School of Business; Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering; Hahn School of Nursing and Health Science; School of Leadership and Education Sciences; Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies; and School of Law. Professional and Continuing Education provides additional programs and courses. Not every school offers undergraduate degrees: for example, prospective nursing and law students should check the entry route and credential for their specific program rather than assume they can enter it directly as first-year undergraduates.

USD reports a student-to-faculty ratio of 13 to 1. That institution-wide measure does not describe the size of every class, particularly in introductory courses or specialized graduate programs.

What is the location of University of San Diego?

USD's main campus is in San Diego's Linda Vista area, on a hillside overlooking parts of Mission Bay and the city. It is an urban-campus location, but students should account for the time and cost of getting between campus, housing, internships, and other destinations in a geographically spread-out region.

The campus is served by local transit, while many off-campus trips may require a transfer or other transportation. San Diego International Airport - the airport historically called Lindbergh Field - is the nearest major airport. Students planning to commute should examine parking rules before bringing a car: first-year students are generally not permitted to register or park one on campus.

What is the mission and vision of University of San Diego?

USD describes its mission in Catholic terms: advancing academic excellence, ethical conduct, and compassionate service while encouraging students to engage with complex social questions. Its stated vision emphasizes the development of engaged citizens and changemakers.

The university's Catholic affiliation informs parts of its curriculum, campus ministry, and institutional priorities. It does not mean every student follows the same faith. Applicants comparing colleges may find it useful to examine how USD's core requirements and campus programs put its stated values into practice, rather than treating a mission statement as evidence of any particular student outcome.