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Ashford University

San Diego, CA·Private for-profit·23,734 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want a large campus community. graduation rate is below 25% — most students don't finish here; fewer than half of freshmen return for sophomore year. a private for-profit school with 23,734 students.

N/A
Accept
23,734
Students
$25,321
Net Price
9%
Grad Rate
$47,600
Earnings
10 yr
$9,500
Debt

About This School

Ashford University is a private for-profit institution located in San Diego, California with approximately 23,734 undergraduate students enrolled. The average net price after financial aid is $25,321 per year. The graduation rate is 9%, and the typical graduate earns $47,600 within 10 years of enrollment.

The University of Arizona Global Campus is a public online university affiliated with the University of Arizona. The university announced a deal to acquire Ashford University in 2020 and completed the deal in 2023.

The numbers here are hard to ignore: a 9% graduation rate and 31% freshman retention rate suggest the vast majority of students who enroll don't finish, which is a serious red flag regardless of your situation. On the upside, median debt at graduation is a relatively low $9,500, and the school has since been acquired by the University of Arizona, which may signal some improvements ahead. Worth considering only if you've exhausted options at traditional or nonprofit online schools and have a very clear plan for staying enrolled.

Founded
1918
Setting
Large city

Popular Programs

Business & Marketing45%
Education16%
Health Professions11%
Psychology7%
Computer Science3%
Social Sciences3%
Communications1%
Engineering1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average CompositeN/A

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$13,160
Out-of-State Tuition
$13,160
Avg Net Price
$25,321
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants31%
Median debt at graduation$9,500

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
9%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
31%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$47,600
after enrollment
Median Debt
$9,500
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$9,500
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$34,000
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$47,600
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 5.0x

Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White40%
Black28%
Hispanic/Latino21%
Asian3%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (23,734 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Ashford University

8620 Spectrum Center Boulevard

San Diego, CA 92123

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in California

Browse all California schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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