Applicants, Acceptance Rate, Yield Trends at USD

24.37%

Applicants - since 2015

0.70%

Acceptance Rate

The average acceptance rate at USD over the past 10 years is 51.79%, and the most recent acceptance rate is 52.38%. Compared to the previous year, it became easier to gain admission to USD in 2025.

The average yield (enrollment rate) over the period is 15.65%, and the 2025 yield is 12.39%. Overall, the yield has decreased by 20.74% from 2015 to 2025.

The number of USD applicants increased by 6.61% (1,055 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 24.37% overall.

Key Takeaways: USD Admission Metrics

Acceptance Rate Overview

The current acceptance rate for the 2025 admission cycle is 52.38%, demonstrating consistent admission standards over the past decade. The stability of this rate suggests that USD maintains a predictable and steady admissions environment for prospective students.

Yield Rate & Enrollment Patterns

The admission yield (the percentage of admitted students who enroll) for the 2025 academic year is 12.39%. The declining yield trend suggests that a lower percentage of admitted students are choosing to enroll at USD. This pattern may reflect increased competition from peer institutions, changing student demographics, or shifts in institutional enrollment strategy.

Application Volume & Admission Trends

For the 2025 admission cycle, USD received approximately 17,008 applications, admitted 8,908 students, and enrolled 1,104 students. The rising application volume trend indicates that USD is attracting an increasing number of prospective students over time. This growth in applications typically reflects enhanced institutional visibility, improved marketing initiatives, or increasing perceived value in the higher education market.

Acceptance Rate Changes

USD 10-Year Admission Rate Summary: The acceptance rate trends at USD over the past decade show a relatively stable trend, with fluctuations in both directions. The average acceptance rate over this period is 51.79%, while the most recent rate stands at 52.38%. This data reflects the institution's evolving competitiveness in the higher education admissions landscape.

For the most recent admission cycle (2025), the acceptance rate is 52.38%. By gender, the average acceptance rate for men is 49.86% and for women is 52.98%.

The following table and chart show how acceptance rates at USD have changed over the past 10 years (2015-2025).

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 51.68% 49.61% 53.05%
2016-17 51.38%
-0.29%
49.60%
-0.01%
52.59%
-0.46%
2017-18 49.79%
-1.59%
46.23%
-3.36%
52.24%
-0.36%
2018-19 52.92%
3.12%
51.88%
5.65%
53.60%
1.37%
2019-20 48.69%
-4.23%
45.31%
-6.57%
50.95%
-2.66%
2020-21 58.70%
10.01%
56.28%
10.97%
60.30%
9.35%
2021-22 53.00%
-5.70%
50.00%
-6.28%
54.00%
-6.29%
2022-23 52.61%
-0.39%
49.22%
-0.78%
54.72%
0.72%
2023-24 46.75%
-5.86%
48.76%
-0.46%
45.53%
-9.19%
2024-25 52.38%
5.63%
51.69%
2.93%
52.78%
7.25%
Average 51.79% 49.86% 52.98%
University of San Diego Acceptance Rate Trends Over Time - Historical Admission Rate Data Visualization Chart

Admission Yield (Enrollment Rate) Changes

USD has demonstrated a decline in admission yield over the past 10 years. The institution's yield rate has decreased from 15.64% in 2015 to 12.39% in 2025, representing a 20.74% decrease. The 10-year average yield stands at 15.65%, reflecting weakening enrollment performance.

The following table and chart illustrate the changes in yield at USD from 2015 to 2025. The admission yield has decreased by 20.74% over this period.

YearTotalMenWomen
2015-16 15.64% 17.41% 14.53%
2016-17 15.30%
-0.34%
16.52%
-0.89%
14.52%
-0.02%
2017-18 16.49%
1.19%
16.67%
0.14%
16.38%
1.86%
2018-19 18.63%
2.14%
18.77%
2.10%
18.55%
2.17%
2019-20 17.05%
-1.58%
17.97%
-0.80%
16.51%
-2.04%
2020-21 12.90%
-4.16%
11.97%
-6.00%
13.47%
-3.04%
2021-22 15.00%
2.10%
17.01%
5.04%
15.00%
1.53%
2022-23 16.36%
1.36%
17.64%
0.63%
15.65%
0.65%
2023-24 16.69%
0.33%
17.83%
0.19%
15.96%
0.31%
2024-25 12.39%
-4.30%
12.29%
-5.53%
12.45%
-3.51%
Average 15.65% 16.41% 15.30%
University of San Diego enrollment rate trends chart showing historical yield changes from 2015 to 2025

Applicants, Admitted, and Enrolled Headcount Changes

Over the past 10 years, The average number of applicants is 14,466, the average number of admitted is 7,477, and the average number of first-year enrolled students is 1,162.

The number of USD applicants increased by 6.61% (1,055 applicants) compared to the previous year. Over the entire 10-year period, applicants increased by 24.37% overall.

The following table and chart show the changes of applicants, admitted, and enrolled headcount at University of San Diego from 2015 to 2025.

YearApplicantsAdmittedEnrolled
2015-16 13,675 7,067 1,105
2016-17 14,413
5.40%
7,406
4.80%
1,133
2.53%
2017-18 14,739
2.26%
7,339
-0.90%
1,210
6.80%
2018-19 13,287
-9.85%
7,031
-4.20%
1,310
8.26%
2019-20 13,755
3.52%
6,697
-4.75%
1,142
-12.82%
2020-21 13,171
-4.25%
7,731
15.44%
997
-12.70%
2021-22 14,326
8.77%
7,593
-1.79%
1,139
14.24%
2022-23 14,334
0.06%
7,541
-0.68%
1,234
8.34%
2023-24 15,953
11.29%
7,458
-1.10%
1,245
0.89%
2024-25 17,008
6.61%
8,908
19.44%
1,104
-11.33%
Average 14,466 7,477 1,162
University of San Diego - 10 Year Applicants, Admissions, and Enrollment Trends Chart

Compare Acceptance Rate Change to Similar Colleges

The following table compares University of San Diego' acceptance rate to similar schools.

20242025Change %
University of San Diego46.75%52.38%12.04%
Santa Clara University48.00%43.84%9.49%
University of the Pacific71.32%94.86%-24.82%
Pepperdine University62.86%49.85%26.10%
Loyola Marymount University45.08%40.29%11.89%
University of San Francisco61.71%50.77%21.55%

Ratings & Review

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