University of San Diego — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of San Diego charges a net price of $30,365/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $121,460. Graduates earn a median $86,522 ten years after entry, $38,162/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.2 years — a 20-year net return of $641,780, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of San Diego's 3.2-year payback ranks #204 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 84% of them, and #45 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $30,365/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $121,460 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $86,522 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $38,162/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $22,940 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.2 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $641,780 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of San Diego's own numbers. Net price $30,365 × 4 years = $121,460 total. Median earnings $86,522 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $38,162 a year of premium. $121,460 ÷ $38,162 = 3.2 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $641,780. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of San Diego students graduate with?
A median $22,940 in federal loans among completers, or 27% of the $86,522 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of San Diego students graduate?
84% finish their degree. Spread the $121,460 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $144,595 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of San Diego expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $30,365 net price runs $10,460 above the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, or $41,840 more across the full degree.