With a panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean, USD is riding a wave of popularity enhanced by its sun-drenched location. Not to be confused with its UC counterpart across town, USD is now a popular alternative to Roman Catholic peers the University of San Francisco and Santa Clara. Strong in business, engineering, and study abroad.

Students at the University of San Diego have many reasons to cheer: a beatific oceanside campus, a rich Roman Catholic heritage centered around ethical conduct and compassionate service, and an array of superb academics. “USD is becoming more and more competitive, and the academic programs continue to get better,” says one freshman. “There has never been a better time to come to USD than right now.”

Founded in 1949, USD occupies 180 acres on a mesa overlooking San Diego’s Mission Bay and is only two miles north of downtown San Diego. The buildings are designed in 16th-century Spanish Renaissance architectural style in a nod to San Diego’s Catholic heritage and the Universidad de Alcal#225; in Spain. In a fitting architectural juxtaposition, at one end of campus is the Joan B. Kroc (of McDonald’s fame) Center for Peace and Justice; at the other end is the Jenny Craig Athletic Center, where you can work off your Big Macs. The 36,000-square-foot Learning Commons, completed in 2020, houses the Honors Program, the Writing Center, flexible classrooms, and collaboration rooms.

USD’s core curriculum focuses on integrating knowledge and experiences from different disciplines. The core encompasses Competencies, such as writing and critical thinking; Foundations courses in theology, philosophy, ethics, and diversity and inclusion; and Explorations courses in five general liberal arts areas. A fourth component, Integrative Learning, is the focus of the first year, when new students join one of five living/learning communities (LLCs): Cultivator, Collaborator, Advocate, Illuminator, and Innovator. In addition to taking a fall-semester course related to the theme of their LLC and living together with their classmates in the residence halls, first-years also have access to a “scholastic assistant,” an older student who serves as a mentor and organizes out-of-class activities. Students describe the LLCs as integral to their transition to college life. “Being a part of programs such as these really enabled me to find out more about myself and what I am passionate about,” says a communication studies major.

USD offers more than 60 degree programs-an impressive number given its relatively small student body-across seven schools: business, leadership and education sciences, law, nursing and health science, arts and sciences, engineering, and peace studies. The most popular undergraduate majors include finance, marketing, accountancy, communication studies, and psychology. Engineering is a traditional strength. Thirty-nine percent of classes have fewer than 20 students, but none exceed 50, which allows for classroom discussions and collaborative projects. “The workload is substantial, but it is also feasible,” says a political science major. Professors are said to be knowledgeable and accessible. When it comes to finding employment, one senior comments, “Career services is good, but better for people looking for internships versus actual jobs right out of school.”

The Honors Program offers small classes and a core curriculum of innovative courses to qualified students. More than 200 students across the university present research projects at USD’s annual undergraduate research conference. Those who overdose on Southern California’s ubiquitous blue skies and sunshine may take part in USD’s robust study abroad program, which sends students to live and study in more than 30 countries and more than 80 programs, including a permanent program at the University of San Diego Madrid Center in Spain. About half of all undergrads participate in yearlong, semester, summer, or intersession programs.

At USD, a communication studies major says, “We love to create positive impact and meaningful change in spaces where we can.” Fifty-five percent of undergrads hail from the Golden State, 10 percent are international, and many come from affluent backgrounds. “Low-income students would have a hard time here because students engage in expensive activities outside of class,” remarks a senior. African Americans account for 3 percent of the student body, Hispanics 21 percent, Asian Americans 7 percent, and multiracial students 7 percent. Forty percent of students are Catholic, and there is a healthy conservative presence on campus, but one freshman notes, “The university is making a big push toward acceptance and understanding of all people and beliefs.” The school offers merit awards averaging $17,400 to qualified students, and there are more than 100 athletic awards.

Forty-four percent of undergraduates live on campus, and all but commuters are required to do so for both their first and second year. Residence halls are a mix of singles, doubles, triples, and limited quads, with singles and doubles representing the majority of the units. Apartments range from one room to four bedrooms. When the dinner bell rings, students have plenty to cheer about. “Meals are delicious,” says one junior. “Dining facilities are nice, clean, and a hot place to be at all hours of the day.” Campus security is excellent, students say, with officers on duty around the clock. “A huge sexual assault awareness task force has done a lot of good things after a few accusations in the past few years,” according to a senior.

And how about the campus social scene? “Mission Beach, where most upperclassmen live, has a vibrant social scene. Many USD students congregate in the area on weekends,” a finance major explains. For those who choose to eschew the sand and waves, USD offers a slate of on-campus activities, including movies, concerts, and mass (lest you forget, USD is a Catholic university). The Greek scene attracts 18 percent of the men and 32 percent of the women. Alcohol is allowed only in designated areas for those students of legal age, and “this policy is heavily enforced by the RAs,” says a marketing major. Downtown San Diego has plenty to offer, including a bevy of bars, eateries, and shopping centers. The USD community is big on giving back, too, via more than 300,000 hours of service each year. Popular road trips include Las Vegas and Big Bear. Back on campus, students enjoy annual festivals such as International Week and Greek Week, the Alcal#225; Bazaar, and the Olé Music Fest.

USD sponsors 17 Division I intercollegiate teams and is a member of the West Coast Conference for all sports except football, which competes in the Pioneer League. Students are especially rowdy when the Torero basketball team takes on rival Gonzaga. Football, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s golf, and women’s volleyball and basketball have been competitive in recent years. Twenty-three percent of students participate in intramural and club sports; among the most popular are ultimate Frisbee, climbing, soccer, and lacrosse.

Don’t underestimate USD-this small, friendly institution offers a rich variety of academic programs, and its students seem to understand that they are living out their college careers in one of the most beautiful spots in the country. As a sophomore reflects, “The great thing about USD is you can get a great education in a challenging academic environment and in one of the most beautiful cities in the nation.”