best colleges in san diego 2023. San Diego has some of the nation’s finest beaches and more than 260 days of sunlight annually. San Diego is home to some of the greatest colleges in the state and country, with more than 20 universities and colleges.
Others have excellent reputations in subjects such as business administration, engineering, public health, and the arts. Some of these schools have some of the best research facilities in the country. At one of the Best colleges in san diego, students with diverse career aspirations can choose a degree program that excites them.
Why Should You Study at Best colleges in san diego?
Within San Diego’s 4,200 square miles as California’s second-largest city, students will find a variety of activities, attractions, and cultural diversity. La Jolla, with its scenic coastline, and Coronado, which is accessible via ferry, water taxi, or a two-mile-long bridge, are two of the most well-known communities. The cities of La Jolla, Escondido, Oceanside, San Marcos, and Santee are home to some of the most popular colleges.
Educational Possibilities
All four-year universities in San Diego have something distinctive to offer. The University of California, San Diego is widely recognized as one of the nation’s finest research institutions, and its campus is well situated near the ocean. San Diego State University was ranked as the twenty-third most entrepreneurial university by Forbes.
Economy
Important San Diego industries include aerospace and defense, clean technology, tourism, healthcare, cybersecurity, and manufacturing. San Diego boasts one of the world’s highest concentrations of military assets, employing one out of every five residents. UC San Diego, Sharp Healthcare, and Qualcomm are among a few of San Diego’s other major employers.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the unemployment rate in San Diego is 6.6%, with average weekly wages of $1,430.
Expenses of Living
According to PayScale, the cost of living in San Diego is 44 percent more than the national average. The housing rate exceeds the national average by 136%, while the transportation rate exceeds the national average by 29%. The median price of a home is $817,184, the regular monthly rent is $2,560, and a loaf of bread costs $3.76.
Coastal places, like most cities, have higher costs, but housing and living expenses are less expensive in inland communities.
List of the Best Colleges in San Diego
The following is a list of the Best Colleges in San Diego:
1. University of California-San Diego
UC San Diego is considered one of the Best colleges in san diego. Students attend classes on a primary campus that borders the Pacific Ocean. The institution offers undergraduate majors in the arts and sciences, as well as public health, psychology, and political science studies with a range of specializations.
The engineering school at UC San Diego provides a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering with five concentrations. Graduate students can get master’s degrees in bioengineering, economics, physics, and education studies. With medical and pharmacy schools, UC San Diego is one of the Best colleges in san diego.
Undergraduate tuition is approximately $14,700 per year. Non-resident tuition is an additional $29,800. Graduate students pay approximately $17,500 year, plus an additional $15,100 if they are non-residents. Candidates in their first year must complete college-level coursework, but they are not obliged to submit SAT or ACT scores. The Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges has granted UC San Diego regional accreditation.
2. San Diego State University
This Best colleges in san diego, founded in 1897, enrolls nearly 36,000 students annually and offers bachelor’s degrees in 97 disciplines. Numerous majors are available, including astronomy, child development, financial services, and sports training. A BSBA is also available in accounting, finance, or management.
SDSU Global offers online degree completion programs in a variety of fields, including business, education, healthcare, and fitness. SDSU is also one of the greatest graduate universities in San Diego. This Best colleges in san diego offers master’s degrees in 84 distinct disciplines.
Traditional undergraduate programs in California cost California residents $8,140 per year. Non-residents are charged an additional $11,880. In California, graduate students pay $9,570 per year, with non-residents paying an additional $7,130.
First-year applicants must have earned at least a C- in college preparatory courses. The Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges has granted SDSU regional accreditation.
3. University of San Diego
This Best colleges in san diego is a private Catholic liberal arts college. The college provides 42 bachelor’s degree programs, many of which are customizable. Among other disciplines, students can get a BA or BS in English, behavioral neuroscience, sociology, and engineering. Six concentrations are available for the BBA, including finance and marketing. The BA in liberal studies offers a diverse curriculum with 12 concentration options.
Available graduate programs include the Master of Arts in peace and justice. USD’s BSN-to-Ph.D. curriculum makes it one of the most prestigious nursing schools in San Diego. Applied data science and artificial intelligence are two online master’s degrees offered by the USD.
First- and second-year undergraduates at the USD are required to reside on campus. Undergraduate tuition is $52,120 per year. Graduate students pay between $925 to $1,620 per credit. Candidates in their first year are required to take college preparatory courses and may submit SAT or ACT scores.
Regional accreditation has been given to USD by the Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
City: San Diego, California
4. Point Loma Nazarene University
PLNU is an excellent alternative for a liberal arts education with a religious foundation. This Best colleges in san diego offers sixty programs in the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. A student-to-faculty ratio of 14 to 1 promotes individualized instruction and mentoring.
Among other courses, undergraduates can study economics, biology, chemistry, multimedia journalism, and kinesiology. PLNU has a comprehensive pre-professional curriculum that encompasses optometry and medicine.
Online or via satellite campuses, nontraditional students can get a degree. This Best colleges in san diego offers totally online degree completion programs for BBA, RN-to-BSN, and BA in organizational leadership. For working graduate students, PLNU offers part-time, evening, and online degree programs.
At PLNU, undergraduate tuition is $38,800 per year. Per unit, graduate school tuition ranges from $320 to $1,160. Undergraduate candidates are not required to submit standardized test results. The Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges has granted PLNU regional accreditation.
City: San Diego, California
5. California State University, San Marcos
CSUSM is situated 35 kilometers from San Diego. On campuses in San Marcos and Temecula, around 16,000 students are enrolled. CSUSM provides 43 bachelor’s degrees and 24 master’s programs.
This Best colleges in san diego offers bachelor’s degrees in a variety of disciplines, including business, STEM fields, modern languages, and sociology. With the “special major” BA, the university also allows students to design their own curriculum. Additionally, the university oversees extensive undergraduate nursing and teacher education programs.
MBA, MPH, MSW, and master of biotechnology degrees are offered at CSUSM, making it one of the best graduate schools in San Diego.
Residents of California pay approximately $5,740 for seven or more units, while non-residents pay $15,240. Graduate students who enroll in seven or more units pay $7,180 in tuition. Non-residents pay an extra $16,680.
Undergraduate applicants must complete college preparatory courses and maintain a minimum grade point average of C. The Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges has granted CSUSM regional accreditation.
Locale: San Marcos, California
6. John Paul The Great Catholic College
JPCatholic, which is named after Pope John Paul II, concentrates on artistic endeavors. This Best colleges in san diego enrolls fewer than 300 freshmen each year.
JPCatholic’s three degree programs contain a core curriculum and project-based learning. At JPCatholic, students complete their degrees in three rather than the standard four calendar years.
Bachelor’s degrees are available in communications media, humanities, and business administration. JPCatholic, one of the most prestigious art schools in San Diego, focuses on illustration and graphic design. Animation and game development are also accessible as specializations for students. Students can gain experience and build their portfolios in a range of filmmaking disciplines.
Those interested in the business side of the arts could, for instance, concentrate on marketing and advertising. Each year, tuition costs students $36,000. The minimal GPA requirement is 2.60, but no SAT, ACT, or CLT scores are required.
The Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges has granted JPCatholic regional accreditation.
Location: Escondido, CA
7. San Diego Christian College
In Santee, SDCC offers both on-campus and online programs. Bachelor’s degree programs in biblical studies, business administration, and communication are available on campus. The SDCC flight school, located less than a mile from campus, trains future pilots for careers in missionary and commercial aviation.
This Best colleges in san diego offers a BS in business administration and a BA in psychology as online programs. The AA in liberal studies can also serve as a starting point for a student’s education. With this online degree, nontraditional students can explore career options and transition to a bachelor’s degree program at SDCC.
As One of the Best colleges in san diego, SDCC offers two graduate programs: an MS in leadership and an MA in teaching. Undergraduate residential tuition is $24,500 per year, whereas online pricing exceeds $400 each unit. Graduate education costs $605 per unit.
For applicants with less than 24 college units, standardized test scores are necessary. Regional accreditation has been given by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission to SDCC.
Location: Santee, California
8. National University
NU has campuses throughout California, but its headquarters are in San Diego. The Best colleges in san diego develops programs specifically for non-traditional students. Students may choose from 75 different degrees, the majority of which are offered online, and may study for four weeks.
Through its associate and bachelor’s degree programs, NU provides a liberal arts education. Available majors include general studies, biology, psychology, and interdisciplinary studies.
A BS in healthcare administration, allied health administration, or criminal justice administration may be pursued by those interested in a more career-oriented degree. The nursing program offers RN-to-BSN and RN-to-MSN degree options. In addition, NU offers a comprehensive bachelor’s and master’s program in teacher education.
Undergraduates at one of the Best colleges in san diego pay $370 a quarter unit. Each quarter unit costs between $442 and $760 for graduate students. To ensure that previous credits are transferable, first-year students must submit ACCUPLACER scores and maintain a GPA of at least 2.0. Regional accreditation has been given to NU by the Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Location: La Jolla, CA
9. Thomas Jefferson Law School
Law, business, and government are among the twelve academic disciplines offered by Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson University is one of the best law schools in San Diego because it offers a JD, an LL.M., and an LL.M. in practice skills on campus. Students can receive an LL.M., JSD, or M.S.L. online.
Family, criminal, and intellectual property law are some of the offered specializations. Additionally, students can obtain practical experience by volunteering and performing various chores within the school’s local community. Graduate programs on-campus cost between $1,110 and $1,340 each unit, while online graduate programs cost $1,620 per unit.
Admission to the LL.M. programs requires a Juris Doctor degree. For the M.S.L., a bachelor’s degree in business is necessary. To be eligible for the JD program, candidates must hold a minimum of an associate degree and submit LSAT scores. This Best colleges in san diego has been granted regional accreditation by the Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
City: San Diego, California
10. California Western Law School
This Best colleges in san diego is the oldest law school in San Diego, having been founded in 1924. Students study in the political and legal epicenter of San Diego. Approximately 650 students are enrolled in JD programs to prepare for the bar exam. The College of Social Work and Law offers four degrees: J.D., J.D./MBA, J.D./MSW, and an LL.M. in Spanish.
In the first year of the JD program, students study criminal law, civil process, and legal abilities. Among other topics, upperclassmen study constitutional law, evidence, and criminal procedure. Such electives include entertainment law and sports law. CSWL is one of the Best colleges in san diego for experiential learning. Students are required to do externships, clinics, and simulation courses in the clinical setting.
Tuition for the JD program is $28,040 per trimester. JD schools require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree and LSAT scores. Regional accreditation has been given to CSWL by the Senior Colleges and University Commission of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
City: San Diego, California
FAQs On Best colleges in san diego
Which San Diego University is better?
The highest ranking university in the city is the University of California, San Diego which is currently 53rd in the world and among the top 20 universities in the US.
What is the main college in San Diego?
University of California, San Diego.
Is San Diego good place to live?
With some of the best weather, food, schools, and beaches in the world, San Diego is one of the best places to live in the entire country. Known for its high quality of life and relaxed atmosphere, living in San Diego is often considered better than living in Los Angeles.
What GPA do you need to get into San Diego?
To be eligible for admission to UC San Diego, you must earn the following minimum GPAs: California residents must earn a GPA of 3.0 (or better) with no grade lower than "C." Non-California residents including International applicants must earn a GPA of 3.4 (or better) with no grade lower than a "C."
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