“A globally minded graduate university in sunny San Diego training psychologists, educators, and leaders for a diverse world.”
Alliant International University-San Diego is a graduate-focused private institution located in California's Mission Valley, offering specialized programs in professional psychology, education, business, and forensic studies. The San Diego campus is home to the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) — one of the oldest and most respected professional psychology programs in the United States — alongside programs in the California School of Education and Marshall Goldsmith School of Management. Founded through the 1969 merger of United States International University and California Western University, Alliant has built a distinctive identity around training applied behavioral health and education professionals with a deep emphasis on multicultural competency and real-world practice. Academic life at Alliant-San Diego is shaped by intimate learning cohorts, high faculty-to-student engagement, and a strong commitment to community-based practice. Most programs operate at the graduate level, attracting students pursuing Psy.D., Ph.D., and master's degrees in clinical psychology, marriage and family therapy, school psychology, and organizational leadership. The university treats diversity as a core academic value — multicultural perspectives are integrated throughout coursework, research, and clinical practicum experiences — preparing graduates to serve varied communities across California and internationally. The campus draws a notably international and multicultural student body drawn by Alliant's global orientation and California location. Located in Mission Valley at the heart of San Diego — one of America's most vibrant coastal cities — Alliant students benefit from proximity to outstanding clinical training sites including major hospital systems, community mental health agencies, military installations, and cross-border health programs. The city's large veteran population, proximity to the US-Mexico border, and rapidly expanding biotech and healthcare sectors provide rich settings for internships and careers. Doctoral-level graduates consistently earn high salaries: Research and Experimental Psychology master's graduates earn a median of $122,786, and clinical doctoral alumni regularly exceed $100,000 annually in licensed clinical practice.
Visa, OPT, H-1B alumni outcomes, and acceptance rates by country — sourced from FOIA, USCIS H-1B Hub, and DHS SEVIS.
Rolling Admissions
Applications reviewed year-round; early application recommended for financial aid and program availability
The deep admissions playbook beyond the headline acceptance rate — round-by-round breakdowns, nationality data, requirements, and contact paths.
Tuition & Fees (All Students)
$14,254 – $19,690
/yr
Beyond the sticker price — every named scholarship, the financial aid policy, need-aware notes, and a personalized net-cost estimate.
How life on campus actually feels — clubs, sports, traditions, housing realities, and how the school integrates with its city.
Flagship CSPP offering APA-accredited doctoral and master's programs in clinical, counseling, and organizational psychology.
Teacher preparation and advanced programs in school psychology and educational leadership.
JD program integrating psychology and behavioral science into legal training.
Business programs emphasizing global perspectives and organizational behavior.
5 years
Practitioner-scholar model preparing licensed clinical psychologists for independent practice; APA-accredited and widely recognized across California and nationally.
2 years
Most popular graduate program at Alliant San Diego; prepares students for California MFT licensure with strong community and agency placement networks.
3 years
Prepares credentialed school psychologists for K-12 settings in California's large and diverse public school system.
Where alumni go after graduation — top industries, grad-school continuation, and the qualitative outcomes story.
Sticker price (annual, out-of-state): $14,304
Net-cost estimate is US-resident-only — international applicants are typically excluded from need-based aid at most schools and should treat the sticker price as the planning baseline.
