Design Institute of San Diego

San Diego, CA · Private For-Profit

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87.5%
Acceptance
N/A
SAT
$25,649
Sticker Price
$25,392
Net Price*
$46,920
Earnings
8.5 yrs
Payback
8
Applicants

*Net price for families earning $48k–$75k. See all income brackets →

Apply Now Admissions Info Financial Aid Net Price Calculator

What is Design Institute of San Diego's acceptance rate?

Up 28.7 percentage points since 2018

With a 87.5% acceptance rate, Design Institute of San Diego is considered accessible. The school has become slightly less competitive over the past five years. Applicants should focus on demonstrating strong academics, meaningful extracurriculars, and authentic personal essays to stand out in the applicant pool.

How many students apply to Design Institute of San Diego?

Design Institute of San Diego received 8 applications in 2023, down 53% since 2018. High application volume means admissions officers spend limited time per application—typically 8-15 minutes. Make every word count in your essays and ensure your application materials are error-free.

Applications
Admitted

How many admitted students enroll?

The yield rate of 29% is moderate for a school of this caliber. Yield rate measures how many admitted students actually enroll—a key indicator of how desirable students find the school. Demonstrating genuine interest through campus visits, attending info sessions, and writing specific "Why Us" essays can improve your chances.

What are the most popular majors at Design Institute of San Diego?

Design and Applied Arts leads as the most popular major at Design Institute of San Diego. Your intended major can affect admission chances—some programs are more competitive than others. Research department-specific requirements, faculty research, and career outcomes when choosing your major. Consider how your academic interests align with the school's strengths.

How have majors changed over time?

Degrees awarded by major, 2015-2023

How has tuition changed at Design Institute of San Diego?

Tuition has increased by 42% since 2015. Total cost of attendance (including fees and room & board) has grown 42% from $18,023 to $25,649.

Tuition Total Cost

Design Institute of San Diego Admissions Statistics (2018-2023)

Each row shows the admissions cycle for that academic year. Applicants is the total number of students who applied for freshman admission. Admitted shows how many received acceptance letters. Rate is the acceptance rate (admitted ÷ applicants) — lower percentages indicate more selective schools. Yield measures the percentage of admitted students who actually enrolled — a high yield (above 50%) suggests the school is a top choice for admitted students, while lower yields indicate students often choose other options. SAT shows the 25th-75th percentile range, meaning the middle 50% of enrolled students scored within this range. Data is sourced from IPEDS, the federal database where all US colleges report annually.

Year Applicants Admitted Rate Yield
2023 8 7 87.5% 28.6%
2022 8 8 100.0% 100.0%
2021 4 4 100.0% 100.0%
2020 3 3 100.0% 66.7%
2019 15 13 86.7% 61.5%
2018 17 10 58.8% 70.0%
2017 14 7 50.0% 42.9%

Is Design Institute of San Diego worth it?

Calculate your personal ROI

4-Year Sticker Price --
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Earnings & ROI Range (10yr)
Conservative (25th pct) -- --
Expected (median) -- --
Optimistic (75th pct) -- --
Payback Period --

Estimates based on College Scorecard averages. Use official calculator →

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What do Design Institute of San Diego graduates earn?

Median Earnings (10 years)
$46,920
Earnings Range (10th - 90th percentile)
$2,800 $46,920 median $66,700

Earnings vary widely: the bottom 10% earn $2,800 while the top 10% earn $66,700. Your outcome depends heavily on major, career path, and individual circumstances.

Median Earnings (6 years)
$46,916
Median Debt
$36,844
6-Year Graduation Rate
50.0%

How much does Design Institute of San Diego cost?

The total cost of attendance at Design Institute of San Diego is approximately $25,649 per year. Remember: sticker price rarely equals actual cost. Most students receive financial aid, and net price varies significantly by family income. Use the school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate before ruling out any option based on cost alone.

Tuition
$25,500
Fees
$149

What You'll Actually Pay

Net price represents what families actually pay after grants and scholarships. The figures above are averages—your actual cost depends on family income, assets, and the school's aid policies. Many selective private schools are more affordable than public universities for middle and lower-income families due to generous institutional aid.

$0-30k income $28,154
$30-48k income FREE
$48-75k income N/A
$75-110k income $25,392
$110k+ income $42,093

What are the top majors?

View all majors →

Which majors pay the most?

  • Design and Applied Arts N/A

Who attends Design Institute of San Diego?

Design Institute of San Diego enrolls 111 students, with 4% from outside the United States. Women make up 93% of the student body. Campus diversity enriches the educational experience through varied perspectives and backgrounds. Consider how you'll contribute to and benefit from the campus community when crafting your application.

Total Enrollment 111
Retention Rate 71%
International 4%
Women 93%
Race/Ethnicity
White 50%
Hispanic 17%
Asian 9%
Black 9%

How much financial aid is available?

74% of students receive some form of financial aid at Design Institute of San Diego. About 55% receive Pell Grants, indicating support for low-income students. Apply for aid regardless of your family's income level—merit scholarships and institutional grants are available to students at various income levels. Never assume you won't qualify.

Receive Grants 74%
Avg: $9,655 free money/year
Pell Grant Recipients 55%
Federal aid for <$60k income families
Have Federal Loans 57%
Avg: $10,214
School's Own Grants 63%
Avg: $2,268 from school funds