Santa Clara University vs University of San Diego

Santa Clara University and University of San Diego are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: Santa Clara University is more selective with a 43.8% acceptance rate compared to University of San Diego's 46.8%.

Cost: University of San Diego offers a lower average net price at $31,265, which is $19,694 less than Santa Clara University ($50,959). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median salary of $109,183 ten years after enrollment, which is $22,661 more than University of San Diego graduates ($86,522).

Graduation: Santa Clara University leads with a 88.5% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 93.6% vs 89.8%.

Campus Size: Santa Clara University is the larger campus with 6,235 total students, while University of San Diego has 5,619.

Bottom Line: University of San Diego wins on affordability while Santa Clara University leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.