University of San Diego - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into University of San Diego

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

46.7%

Admission Difficulty for University of San Diego
Measure	Difficulty
Admission Standards		Unavailable
Applicant Competition		Average

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at USD is 46.7%. Its admission rate is the 34th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into USD and can you get accepted?

USD is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 7,458 out of the 15,953 who applied were admitted.

University of San Diego typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.95. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into USD?

47% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of San Diego you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.95 or better
Earn A- grades in high school
Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

USD GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA

3.95

Typical High School Grades

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of San Diego?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into USD are to have around a 3.95 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to USD will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at USD is 3.95 on the 4.0 scale. 50% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school. The school ranks #7 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since USD is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 4.0 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of San Diego students
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	50.0%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	22.0%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	18.0%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	7.0%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	2.0%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	1.0%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

Calculate My Chances

USD SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by University of San Diego. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting SAT

67%

SAT Scores for University of San Diego
SAT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	N/A
Math 25th Percentile	N/A
Composite 25th Percentile	N/A

SAT Scores for University of San Diego
SAT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	N/A
Math 75th Percentile	N/A
Composite 75th Percentile	N/A
Average SAT Score	N/A

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

USD ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range

Not Reported

Applicants Submitting ACT

45%

ACT Scores for University of San Diego
ACT Test	25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile	N/A
Math 25th Percentile	N/A
Composite 25th Percentile	N/A

ACT Scores for University of San Diego
ACT Test	75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile	N/A
Math 75th Percentile	N/A
Composite 75th Percentile	N/A
Average ACT Score	N/A

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

High School Class Rank

68% of University of San Diego freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 29% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of San Diego students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	29%
Top 25% of class	68%
Top 50% of class	96%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of San Diego admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	9,936	6,017	15,953
Accepted	4,524	2,934	7,458
Acceptance Rate	46%	49%	47%
Enrolled	722	523	1,245
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	16%	18%	17%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Dec 15, 2024

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Dec 15, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of San Diego is $55.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of San Diego and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of San Diego Application Requirements
Test Scores	Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA	Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program	Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted