Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

20 Best Universities in San Diego

Discover the top 20 universities in San Diego with our comprehensive academic index. The algorithmic evaluation processed 395.4K scholarly outputs and 20.02M peer-reviewed citations, mapping the region's total research impact. The ranking also highlights the real-world influence of these universities, represented by 132.6K notable alumni globally.

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1

University of California-San Diego

#20 in United States #21 in North America

27% Acceptance

47,335 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1960 Founded

2

San Diego State University

#124 in United States #143 in North America

36% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

1897 Founded

3

University of San Diego

#248 in United States #279 in North America

52% Acceptance

18,492 Enrollment

1350 Avg SAT

1949 Founded

4

Alliant International University – San Diego

#528 in United States #580 in North America

915 Enrollment

1111 Avg SAT

2001 Founded

$25,481 Net Price

5

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute

#763 in United States #831 in North America

76% Acceptance

281 Enrollment

1245 Avg SAT

6

Point Loma Nazarene University

#769 in United States #837 in North America

84% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1902 Founded

7

Ashford University

#808 in United States #876 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

$32,265 Net Price

8

California Western School of Law

#941 in United States #1013 in North America

46% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1924 Founded

9

Northcentral University

#1211 in United States #1288 in North America

81% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1060 Avg SAT

10

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

#1220 in United States #1297 in North America

50% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

11

San Diego Mesa College

#1363 in United States #1443 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

12

Pacific College of Oriental Medicine – San Diego

#1440 in United States #1525 in North America

100% Acceptance

959 Enrollment

$51,918 Net Price

13

California Miramar University

#1481 in United States #1567 in North America

18% Acceptance

27,248 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

$12,480 Net Price

14

Newschool of Architecture and Design

#1570 in United States #1656 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1980 Founded

15

Platt College – San Diego

#1688 in United States #1776 in North America

77% Acceptance

3,067 Enrollment

1183 Avg SAT

$29,641 Net Price

16

United States University

#1724 in United States #1812 in North America

100% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

17

Southern States University

#1848 in United States #1939 in North America

95% Acceptance

41,137 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

$2,640 Net Price

18

National University

#1958 in United States #2051 in North America

100% Acceptance

11,237 Enrollment

1971 Founded

$25,043 Net Price

19

Design Institute of San Diego

#2182 in United States #2281 in North America

100% Acceptance

77 Enrollment

$44,010 Net Price

20

High Tech High Graduate School of Education

#2457 in United States #2558 in North America

55% Acceptance