6 Best Private Universities in San Diego for International Students

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There are a lot of great countries and cities that need to be visited and discovered in your lifetime, and one of the main locations that need to be visited for your studies is San Diego, which is one of the cities in United States. When visiting San Diego, California, in addition to developing your skills and academic knowledge, you will become part of a new system and society that will open and enrich your cultural horizons.

Private institutions are a great way to reach your academic goals and get that well-deserved degree. To help you out, check out the list below if you’re looking to study in a private university in San Diego, California. Each university page provides you with specific details on tuition, admission, language requirements, available courses, and more. So, make sure to check the university pages! Let’s dig in!

Rank University Location
1 University of San Diego San Diego, United States
2 Point Loma Nazarene University San Diego, United States
3 California Western School of Law San Diego, United States
4 Thomas Jefferson School of Law San Diego, United States
5 NewSchool of Architecture and Design San Diego, United States
6 Southern States University San Diego, United States

Private Universities in San Diego

1. University of San Diego

  • University of San Diego Page
  • The University of San Diego is an institution dedicated to training ethical and wise leaders in the professional field. It offers a variety of programs from undergraduate to graduate, which is why a lot of students compete to be admitted to the university. Decades after its establishment, the university still continues to carry the roman catholic principles in guiding and honing the students’ skills.

    2. Point Loma Nazarene University

  • Point Loma Nazarene University Page
  • As a Christian institution associated with the Church of the Nazarene, Point Loma Nazarene University rears students academically and spiritually. It is also centered around the liberal arts; thus, most of its programs are related to the social sciences, humanities, and sciences. PLNU is ranked 327th in the Times Higher Education US College Rankings 2022.

    3. California Western School of Law

  • California Western School of Law Page
  • Californa Western School of Law is a private law school located in San Diego, California, United States. The university was founded in 1924, is said to have been approved by the American Bar Association in 1962, and holds the title of San Diego’s longest-running law school. It started as a private graduate school called Balboa Law College but later changed its name to Balboa University, including undergraduate and other graduate research programs. Later, in 1952, Balboa changed its name to Western University in California, and after it was approved by the American Bar Association, it became a law school-focused university.

    4. Thomas Jefferson School of Law

  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law Page
  • Thomas Jefferson School of Law is a law school in San Diego, California founded in 1969 and named after Thomas Jefferson. It is a private higher education institution that serves both J.D. and LL.M. programs with a mission to create outstanding legal professionals. The student community is filled with students of diverse races, ethnicity, and gender which creates an inclusive and welcoming learning environment.

    5. NewSchool of Architecture and Design

  • NewSchool of Architecture and Design Page
  • The NewSchool of Architecture and Design strives for providing innovative education that will solve the architectural issues of the future. It offers 10 bachelor’s and master’s degree programs, as well as a special program for those students that would like to get their license as architects. It focuses on preparing students for the job market, so students must complete an internship and complete different projects with the assistance of the university’s faculty and the design clinic.

    6. Southern States University

  • Southern States University Page
  • Southern States University (SSU) is a private American University established over 30 years ago. Our Degree and Certificate Programs have been designed to train you to succeed in the world of business and information technology, and to develop tomorrow’s industry leaders. For many years, Southern States University has attracted international students to come and study at our campuses in California and Nevada. We are proud of having international students (F1/M1) from all over the world. OPT is available in all programs. CPT is available in all degree programs. SSU has campuses in some of the most beautiful locations in the United States: Irvine and San Diego, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada.


    Frequently Asked Questions

    1. How much does Private Universities in San Diego Cost?

    There are 6 private universities in San Diego, California, out of which, we have tuition fee of 5 private universities available.


    As you plan your studies abroad, we hope that this article will help you in choosing a good private university.

    We know that attending a private university can be expensive, given its benefits and added perks. But remember that public universities are always an option, too, as they're affordable and can provide you with the same high-quality education. With that, feel free to check out our list of public universities in San Diego to learn more about your options for your next academic destination.