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Study in San Diego

Find programs that match your eligibility and aspirations then apply with reduced application fees, a free assessment and access to a dedicated advisor.

Why study in San Diego?

Stretched along the Pacific coast of California, San Diego is famed for its sandy beaches, sunny climate, and relaxed lifestyle.

Thanks to the world-leading universities based in the city, San Diego is home to a youthful, vibrant, and friendly population. When you’re not studying, you’ll love exploring the city’s buzzing nightlife and visiting its world-famous zoo.

Universities in San Diego

San Diego is a higher-education powerhouse. International students can choose from several acclaimed universities and colleges, as well as specialist schools in law, design, healthcare, and science.

What to study in San Diego

With so many world-class institutions located in San Diego, it won’t be difficult to find a program that suits your interests and goals. If you’re looking for some inspiration, courses in business, management, and marketing are particularly popular.

Programs are available at all degree levels in San Diego, including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate.

Find & apply to programs in San Diego

Find programs you love that match your needs & aspirations, where you stand a high chance of acceptance.

Why use Studee?

We maximize your chance of being admitted with our free, 48 hour fast-track assessment (worth $185*)
  1. Find your ideal program

    Filter 10,000s of programs down to a shortlist perfect for you, where you have a strong chance of getting admitted

  2. Apply online via Studee

    Complete our application form and enjoy reduced application fees and access to unique Studee scholarships for many universities

  3. We assess within 48hrs

    We complete an 85-point assessment within 2 business days, help you with improvements then submit to your university

  4. University offer in 2-4 weeks

    We chase the university for your admission decision and keep you updated. We all celebrate your admission!

Carbon compensation - We'll plant trees in your name to compensate for the carbon generated by all your flights to and from university.

All our services are 100% free as we're funded by universities. You pay deposits and tuition fees directly to the university.

* Price based on similar application assessment services from other providers

Student reviews for San Diego

  • Chau Dang
    Vietnam
    Overall experience 4 stars
    Academic
    3 stars
    University social
    4 stars
    Accommodation
    3 stars
    University facilities
    3 stars
    Alliant International University Hospitality Management
    Tell us about San Diego
    San Diego is a perfect and dream city for you to live in USA.
  • Jeanne Menil Meresse
    France
    Overall experience 4 stars
    Academic
    3 stars
    University social
    1 stars
    Accommodation
    4 stars
    University facilities
    1 stars
    Alliant International University Hospitality Management
    Tell us about San Diego
    San Diego is great, no transports (which is really bad), we can find everything we need! The park spots are quite hard to find.
  • Romain Boyer
    France
    Overall experience 3 stars
    Academic
    4 stars
    University social
    1 stars
    Accommodation
    1 stars
    University facilities
    1 stars
    Alliant International University Hospitality Management
    Tell us about San Diego
    San Diego a good city to live a lot of shop, nightlife and facilities!
  • Al Rashmia Tanco
    Philippines
    Overall experience 4 stars
    Academic
    4 stars
    University social
    4 stars
    Accommodation
    3 stars
    University facilities
    3 stars
    Alliant International University Hospitality Management
    Tell us about San Diego
    I would choose San Diego over anything to study in. The weather and minimum traffic really comforts me and my classmates, especially to first-timers in America (such as myself). Healthy options (restaurants and groceries) are easily accessible and always just a few minutes away from where we are (whether just at home, driving back from work, or visiting a friend for a get-together). Given the choice, San Diego is a place I see myself settling in. It's safer than any place I've been and I can't emphasize enough how great the weather is all year round.
  • Angeline Macalinao
    Philippines
    Overall experience 5 stars
    Academic
    5 stars
    University social
    5 stars
    Accommodation
    5 stars
    University facilities
    5 stars
    Alliant International University Hospitality Management
    Tell us about San Diego
    San Diego has a perfect weather, I enjoy the beaches and the shopping centers.

How to study in San Diego

To be part of San Diego’s impressive education community, you’ll need to complete your secondary education in your home country. You must then apply directly to the universities you’d like to attend, providing you meet their entry requirements.

Each university will have different admissions criteria for international students, but most will ask you to submit evidence of your English language proficiency. The most common method of language assessment in the US is the TOEFL iBT test.

Once you’ve accepted a university place, you can start the US student visa application process. An F1 visa allows you to remain in the US for the duration of your program.

Cost to study in San Diego

Tuition fees in San Diego vary hugely depending on where you choose to study. Smaller universities can charge around $7,000 in tuition fees each year, while the cost of enrolling at higher-profile institutions can reach up to $49,000 annually. Many universities offer scholarships to support students with their expenses.

San Diego is a notoriously expensive place to live, but it’s still cheaper than other Californian destinations like Los Angeles and San Francisco. It costs approximately $1,500 each month to rent a private apartment in the city, but you should also factor in the cost of utilities, books, transport, and groceries.

Key facts of San Diego

  • 73/59°F Summer/winter temperature
  • 1.54 million Population
  • 29 Universities
  • USA Country