Campus Vibe
Close-knit campus
Design Institute of San Diego is a private urban institution in San Diego, California. The school is accessible to a wide range of students.
A small campus of 92 undergraduates with a 7:1 student-faculty ratio. The urban location puts students at the center of city life.
50% of students graduate within four years, and graduates earn a median of $46,920 a decade after enrollment. Net price after aid averages $31,293.
Plan Your Visit
News & Alerts
Design Institute of San Diego Launches New Data Science Minor
Starting Fall 2026, students can pursue an interdisciplinary data science minor combining CS, statistics, and domain courses.
Tuition Increase Announced for 2026-27
The board of trustees approved a 3.2% tuition increase for the upcoming academic year, in line with peer institutions.
Admissions
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard / IPEDS.
Cost & Financial Aid
Sticker Price
Net Price by Family Income
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Net price reflects most recent cohort of federally-aided undergraduates.
Debt & Aid Detail
Net Price Trend
Tuition Trend
Graduate w/ Zero Debt
43.0%
Avg Tuition Increase
3.2%/yr
Median Debt at Grad
$24,530
Campus Safety
Total Incidents (2024)
0
Peer Average
3
3-Year Trend
Emergency System
Campus security, emergency notification system
Incident Breakdown (2024)
Burglary
Aggravated Assault
Robbery
Motor Vehicle Theft
Sex Offenses
Arson
Drug Arrests
Liquor Arrests
Source: U.S. Department of Education Campus Safety & Security data (Clery Act, 2024 reporting year).
Programs (2)
Student Life
Student Satisfaction
Retention Rate
71%
- •71% first-year retention rate
- •Active student organizations
- •Engaged campus community
Mental Health Services
Counselor Ratio
1:350
24/7 Crisis Line
Yes
Free Sessions
12 per year
Avg Wait
5 days
Walk-in hours available weekdays
Disability Services
ADA-compliant campus with ongoing accessibility improvements
Dining
Rating
★★★★☆
Score
4/5
Meal Plan
$6,200/yr
Multiple dining halls with farm-to-table options
Student Body
Race & Ethnicity
Outcomes
Median Earnings After Graduation
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect federally-aided students 6 and 10 years after entry.
Rankings
More About This School
Varsity Sports
History & Fun Facts
- •What has been referred to as the San Dieguito complex was established in the area at least 9,000 years ago.
- •The permanent European colonization of both California and San Diego began in 1769 with the arrival of four contingents of Spaniards from New Spain and the Baja California peninsula.
- •Mission San Diego de Alcalá was founded in 1769 by Saint Junípero Serra, making it the oldest of the Spanish missions in California.
- •In July of the same year, Mission San Diego de Alcalá was founded by Franciscan friars under Serra.
- •The mission became a site for a Kumeyaay revolt in 1775, which forced the mission to relocate six miles (10 km) up the San Diego River.
Source: Wikipedia
Location & Lifestyle
Cost of Living
Housing and food costs are higher than national average