University of San Diego is a private institution that was founded in 1949. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 5,457, its setting is urban, and the campus size is 180 acres. It utilizes a 4-1-4-based academic calendar. University of San Diego's ranking in the 2014 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, 91. Its tuition and fees are $41,392 (2013-14).
The University of San Diego is a Roman Catholic institution open to students of all faiths. As its name suggests, the school overlooks the San Diego Bay, and the city of San Diego is a 15-minute trip away. On campus, there are more than 100 student organizations, including about 10 fraternities and sororities. Most of the San Diego Torero sports teams are members of the NCAA Division I West Coast Conference; the football team competes in the NCAA Division I-AA Pioneer League. Athletic teams are cheered on by the school’s mascot, a costumed bullfighter named Diego Torero. As a Roman Catholic institution, the University Ministry coordinates retreats and immersion trips and hosts daily mass services, including a special Mass for Peace on Wednesday nights. After class, students can relax at nearby beaches, like La Jolla and Pacific Beach, or explore Balboa Park, the biggest urban cultural park in the country that includes 15 museums, the San Diego Zoo, and the Old Globe Theatre. Opportunities to kayak, sail, wind surf, and more are nearby. Students can join group excursions, led by the school’s Experiential Learning and Adventure Center, or rent kayaks, surfboards, and snorkel equipment on campus for trips on their own. Freshmen must live on campus, and for students around on the weekends, the school hosts a Friday Night Movies series and Saturday Night Live Concert series.
The University of San Diego has a variety of graduate programs, including a Tier 1 School of Law and an accredited paralegal program. Some academic programs are specific to the school’s religious foundation, like the Center for Christian Spirituality and the Oscar Romero Center for Faith in Action. Notable alumni include Lowell McAdam, president and CEO of Verizon Wireless; Theo Epstein, general manager of the Boston Red Sox; and Andrew Firestone, a former contestant on ABC’s The Bachelor.