San Diego is a city in California, located on the west coast of the United States, close to its border with Mexico. Nicknamed America’s finest city, it is a popular tourist destination and a great place to pursue higher education.
The University of California, San Diego, is the most prestigious in San Diego, but it also charges a fortune in tuition. However, the good news is that there are several other institutions in the same city where you can find quality yet affordable higher education. Here, we have listed four of the cheapest universities in San Diego.
Affordable Schools in San Diego for International Students
1. San Diego State University
San Diego State University is one of the 23 members of the California State University, or CSU, system. It was established in 1897 as San Diego Normal School and earned its current name in 1974. Hence, it is the third-oldest university in the CSU system. It has a student population of nearly 35,000, with over 1,800 faculty members tasked with teaching them.
As a public research university, SDSU facilitates numerous bachelor’s programs, master’s programs, and doctoral programs through its eight colleges. Its main campus encompasses 283 acres of land in San Diego.
SDSU isn’t the cheapest university in San Diego for California residents or those from other U.S. states and outside the country. Yet, you probably wouldn’t mind spending the extra few thousand bucks a year to study at such a quality institution. Additionally, this cheap university in San Diego offers some financial aid to around 52 percent of its first-year students, with the standard package of monetary assistance being $13,900. The not-so-good news, however, is that SDSU is a highly selective institution, with an acceptance rate of only 34 percent.
2. California State University San Marcos
Beginning its journey in 1989, California State University San Marcos is another member of the CSU system. It is located in the northern San Diego County of San Marcos, roughly 35 miles from downtown San Diego. The university’s suburban campus occupies 304 acres of land. Its enrollment is over 17,000, while its academic staff is about 1,000.
The educational programs at CSUSM include 43 bachelor’s programs, 24 master’s programs, and eight credential programs. It also offers a doctoral degree in collaboration with U.C. San Diego. The institution is organized into four colleges and is one of the top universities in the USA.
CSUSM has an acceptance of 58 percent, and the tuition fee is impressively low by U.S. standards. Moreover, the university assists students financially through scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. Historically, 90 percent of students who applied for financial aid went on to receive it, with the average financial aid received being $11,197.
3. UMass Global
UMass Global, formerly Brandman University, is a non-profit private university in San Diego, California. It has 25 campuses across California and Washington, one on Mission Valley Road in San Diego. The university has over 11,000 students and nearly 1,600 academic staff. It offers over 55 bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, associate, certificate, and credential programs. Moreover, the school is comprised of five academic schools and has been around since 1958.
Being a multi-state private institution, UMass Global charges the same tuition for in-state, out-of-state, and international students. If you aren’t a California resident, this university is your cheapest option in San Diego. UMass Global’s student loan default rate is just zero percent, with 32 percent of undergraduates qualifying for financial aid.
4. San Diego Christian College
San Diego Christian College is an undenominational Christian college in the San Diego suburb of Santee, with a campus size of 50 acres. SDCC was established in 1970 as Christian Heritage College and earned its current name in 2005. The private college awards B.A. and B.S. degrees in various fields and offers a few master’s programs.
The total number of academic programs exceeds 50. It boasts an impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 8:1. Whether you are a California resident or someone coming from a different U.S. state or outside the country, you will find the tuition here significantly higher than that at the institutions listed above.
However, don’t forget that many colleges and universities charge even higher. Also, more than 95 percent of students here receive some kind of financial assistance. At the college, 62 out of every 100 applicants are accepted, making it one of the less selective institutions in San Diego.
The information above lists the cheapest institutions you can enroll in San Diego, such as San Diego State University, California State University San Marcos, UMass Global, and San Diego Christian College, if you want to pursue your degree in America’s finest city. You can also take advantage of San Diego’s rich culture while also getting many affordable educational opportunities. So, consider applying immediately to the cheapest universities in San Diego today once you’re ready!
We hope that this article on cheap universities in San Diego was helpful. To learn more information on studying in the United States, check out the Study in the USA Page and the Available Programs for International Students.
