Academic Index Last updated: June 23, 2026

14 Best Universities in San Diego for Liberal Arts & Social Sciences

If you are looking to study Liberal Arts & Social Sciences in San Diego, our index highlights the top 14 domain-leading institutions. Based on 145.7K scholarly articles and 6.59M peer-reviewed citations, we reveal the best research labs driving innovation in Liberal Arts & Social Sciences. This targeted approach bypasses general university reputation, directly revealing the strongest programs.

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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

California Western School of Law

#941 in United States #1013 in North America

46% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1370 Avg SAT

1924 Founded

6

Point Loma Nazarene University

#769 in United States #837 in North America

84% Acceptance

19,212 Enrollment

1270 Avg SAT

1902 Founded

7

Northcentral University

#1211 in United States #1288 in North America

81% Acceptance

910 Enrollment

1060 Avg SAT

8

Newschool of Architecture and Design

#1570 in United States #1656 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

1980 Founded

9

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

#1220 in United States #1297 in North America

50% Acceptance

1,006 Enrollment

1345 Avg SAT

1969 Founded

10

United States University

#1724 in United States #1812 in North America

100% Acceptance

37,297 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

1997 Founded

11

Ashford University

#808 in United States #876 in North America

100% Acceptance

42,003 Enrollment

1125 Avg SAT

$32,265 Net Price

12

Southern States University

#1848 in United States #1939 in North America

95% Acceptance

41,137 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

$2,640 Net Price

13

San Diego Mesa College

#1363 in United States #1443 in North America

100% Acceptance

23,453 Enrollment

1229 Avg SAT

14

California Miramar University

#1481 in United States #1567 in North America

18% Acceptance

27,248 Enrollment

1500 Avg SAT

$12,480 Net Price