San Diego College was founded by the Mother Rosalie Hill, superior vicar of the Society of the Sacred Heart, in 1950.
The first College for Women graduate was Therese Truitt Whitcomb, Class of 1953, though the first ceremony was not held until the next year when nine degrees were granted.
Two years later, following the Second Vatican Council that encouraged Catholic educational institutions to "unite in a mutual sharing of effort," the San Diego College for Women and San Diego University began to consider combining their resources.
Mother Nancy Morris became president in 1968, and by 1969 had introduced coeducational classes in cooperation with the College for Men.
Citing financial deficits and a desire to share more resources, the San Diego College for Women fully merged with the College for Men and the School of Law in 1972.