Chances of getting into University of San Diego
Acceptance Rate
Acceptance Rate
| Measure | Difficulty | |
|---|---|---|
| Admission Standards | Very High | |
| Applicant Competition | Average |
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How hard is it to get into USD and can I get accepted? The school has a 49% acceptance rate ranking it #32 in California for lowest rate of acceptance. Last year, 6,697 out of 13,755 applicants were admitted making USD a more competitive school to get into with a good chance of acceptance for qualifying applicants. Academically, it has very high requirements for admission test scores, generally admitting students who score in the top 22 percent. University of San Diego typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students. Only 17% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school. Most incoming freshmen graduated in the top quarter of their high school class.
Test Requirements
You must submit admission test scores with your application. University of San Diego is not a test optional school. Note: Please consult the school directly to determine if testing requirements are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
USD SAT Scores
SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score
SAT Range
Applicants Submitting SAT
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 25th | 600 |
| SAT Math 25th | 590 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1190 |
| SAT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| SAT Reading 75th | 680 |
| SAT Math 75th | 690 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1370 |
| Average SAT Score | 1280 |
SAT Scores you need to get in
What are the SAT requirements for students to be admitted to University of San Diego?
University of San Diego typically prefers applicants to be in the top 26 percent of SAT test takers. The school consistently takes SAT composite scores down to 1190 on a 1600 scale, below which admission should be considered a reach. We estimate some students could be accepted with SAT's as low as 1100. The estimated average SAT composite for admitted freshman is 1280 out of 1600. The school ranks #22 in California for highest average SAT composite score. A competitive SAT score is critical as 67 percent of applicants submit SAT scores to the school.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score
| SAT Score (1600 scale) | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 1370 and Above | Good | >62% |
| 1280 to 1370 | Avg + | 49%-62% |
| 1190 to 1280 | Avg - | 36%-49% |
| 1100 to 1190 | Reach | 25%-36% |
| Less than 1100 | Low | <25% |
USD ACT Scores
ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score
ACT Range
Applicants Submitting ACT
| ACT Test | 25th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 25th | 26 |
| ACT Math 25th | 24 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 26 |
| ACT Test | 75th Percentile Score |
|---|---|
| ACT Reading 75th | 33 |
| ACT Math 75th | 29 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 31 |
| Average ACT Score | 28 |
ACT Scores needed to get accepted
What are the ACT requirements for prospective students to get into USD?
Admission data indicates that USD regularly accepts students with ACT's of 26 and above. Successful applicants typically send ACT scores in the top 18 percent nationally. We estimate the school accepting minimum ACT composite scores around 24 in some instances. Prospective students submitting an ACT composite of 28 or higher should be in the upper half of applicants - and students with a 31 and above have very competitive chances. The school ranks #22 in California for highest average ACT composite score. 45 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of San Diego.
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2019 starting classEstimated Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score
| ACT Score | Competitiveness | Admission Chances |
|---|---|---|
| 31 and Above | Good | >64% |
| 28 to 31 | Avg + | 49%-64% |
| 26 to 28 | Avg - | 39%-49% |
| 24 to 26 | Reach | 29%-39% |
| Less than 24 | Low | <29% |
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USD GPA
Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA
Avg. High School GPA
Typical High School Grades
What GPA do you need to get into University of San Diego?
Applicants require exceptionally good grades to get into USD. The average high school GPA of the admitted freshman class at University of San Diego was 3.88 on the 4.0 scale indicating that primarily A- students are accepted and ultimately attend. The school ranks #11 in California for highest average GPA. Even with a competitive GPA, admission to USD will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.
| High School GPA | Freshmen Within Range | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75+ | 66% | Good |
| 3.50 to 3.75 | 19% | Avg - |
| 3.25 to 3.50 | 9% | Reach |
| 3.00 to 3.25 | 5% | Reach |
| 2.75 to 3.00 | 1% | Reach |
| 2.50 to 2.75 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.25 to 2.50 | N/A% | Low |
| 2.00 to 2.25 | N/A% | Low |
GPA Data Source, Wintergreen Orchard House
Similar Requirements
High School Class Rank
91% of University of San Diego freshman were in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class.
| High School Class Rank | Freshmen Within Range |
|---|---|
| Top 10% of class | 45% |
| Top 25% of class | 91% |
| Top 50% of class | 95% |
| Bottom 50% of class | 5% |
| Bottom 25% of class | 0% |
Applying
Admission Statistics
| Women | Men | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applied | 8,240 | 5,515 | 13,755 |
| Accepted | 4,198 | 2,499 | 6,697 |
| Acceptance Rate | 51% | 45% | 49% |
| Enrolled | 693 | 449 | 1,142 |
| Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) | 17% | 18% | 17% |
Fall 2021 Application Deadline
Applications are Due
Days left to Apply
Applicants have 76 days left until the Fall 2021 term applications are due on Dec 15, 2021.
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of San Diego is $55.
Admission Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of San Diego and what student information is used for admission decisions?
| Test Scores | Required |
| High School GPA | Required |
| High School Class Rank | Recommended |
| Completion of College Preparatory Program | Required |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Demonstration of Competencies | Neither required nor recommended |
Credits Accepted
| AP Credit | Yes |
| Dual Credit | Yes |
| Credit for Life Experiences | No |
Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=122436 IPEDS survey data for University of San Diego.
FAQs
Does University of San Diego prefer SAT or ACT?
67% of students submit their SAT scores to USD. 45% of applicants send their ACT scores when applying.
What is my chance of getting into University of San Diego?
49% of those who apply are granted admission to USD. Admission competition is low and the college has very high admission standards. See if your grades and scores are good enough for admission.
What SAT score is required for University of San Diego?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have SAT scores between 1190 and 1370. 67% of students submit SAT scores when applying. See if your SAT score is good enough for admission.
What ACT score is required for University of San Diego?
The middle 50% of addmitted applicants have ACT scores between 26 and 31. 45% of students submit ACT scores when applying. See if your ACT score is good enough for admission.