D
Below Average
Score: 44/100
Overall (traditional)
C
Outcome Rating
45/100 · earnings-weighted

Design Institute of San Diego

4-Year Private For-Profit
📍 San Diego, California 92121
ℹ️
Rating Context: This institution has fewer than 500 students. Smaller schools may show more rating variability due to limited data points.

Suggested Focus: For this type of institution, we recommend prioritizing the Outcomes Score (B) which measures graduation and job placement rates — the most relevant metrics for career programs.
Graduation Rate: 50%
Outcomes
B
66/100
Affordability
F
28/100
Resources
C+
58/100
Experience
D
40/100
Prestige
F
21/100

Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology

Quick Stats

111
Total Enrollment
50%
Graduation Rate
71%
Retention Rate
7.0:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
88%
Acceptance Rate
N/A
Avg Net Price

Earnings, Debt & Completion

What happens to students who enroll at Design Institute of San Diego, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.

$46,920
Median earnings 10 yrs after entry
$46,916
Median earnings 6 yrs after entry
$36,844
Median debt at graduation
80%
Completion rate (within 150% of normal time)
51.1%
Students receiving Pell grants

Typical debt at graduation equals about 79% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.

Earnings rank: 37th percentile among similar colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.

Earnings by Major at Design Institute of San Diego

Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.

Major1 yr after4 yrs aftervs. nationalRank (pay)Rank (wage-adj.)Median debt
Design and Applied Arts$34,589————$44,191

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.

For parents & investors

The Design Institute of San Diego Town Property Report

  • Avg home value near campus: $1,093,166
  • Avg rent near campus: $4,096/mo
  • Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 92121 (2.9% cap, San Diego)

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Costs & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Category In-State Out-of-State
Tuition $29,250 $29,250

Financial Aid

100%
Receive Any Aid
75%
Receive Pell Grants
63%
Take Out Loans
N/A
Avg Net Price

Programs & Career Paths

Top Degree Programs

Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.

Interior Design 30 grads/yr

Related Career Paths

Careers that graduates from Design Institute of San Diego's top programs commonly pursue.

Architecture teachers, postsecondary
$101k/yr 11,600 jobs
Interior designers
$63k/yr 87,100 jobs

Student Demographics

111
Total Students
93%
Women
50%
Traditional Age (18-24)

👥 Race & Ethnicity

White 50%
Hispanic 17%
Black 9%
Asian 12%
Non-Resident 4%

🏠 Living Arrangements

💻 Learning Mode

In-Person 28%
Hybrid (Some Online) 68%
Fully Online 4%

📊 Age Distribution

18-24 (Traditional) 50%
25-64 (Adult) 50%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Design Institute of San Diego?
Design Institute of San Diego has an acceptance rate of 88%. This indicates a less selective admissions process with good chances for qualified applicants.
How much does it cost to attend Design Institute of San Diego?
Tuition at Design Institute of San Diego is $29,250 for in-state students and $29,250 for out-of-state students .
What is the graduation rate at Design Institute of San Diego?
The graduation rate at Design Institute of San Diego is 50%. This graduation rate is below average. Consider factors like program type and student demographics when evaluating.
Is Design Institute of San Diego a good school?
Design Institute of San Diego has a Repit College Score of 44/100 (Grade: D). Our rating evaluates five key factors:
  • Outcomes (B): Graduation and retention rates
  • Affordability (F): Net cost and financial aid access
  • Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
  • Experience (D): Campus life and learning format
  • Prestige (F): Reputation and recognition
Note: As a smaller institution, we recommend focusing on the Outcomes score when evaluating this school.
How many students attend Design Institute of San Diego?
Design Institute of San Diego has a total enrollment of 111 students.

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Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology