University of San Diego vs University of San Francisco

Side-by-side comparison across admissions, costs, outcomes, campus life, and more. Data from US Department of Education.

πŸ’°
Best Value
University of San Diego
Lower Net Price
πŸ’Ό
High Earners
University of San Francisco
Higher 10yr Salary
πŸ†
Most Selective
University of San Diego
Harder to get in
πŸŽ“
Graduation
University of San Diego
Higher success
Admissions Difficulty
Acceptance Rate
46.8%
50.8%
Avg SAT Score
Not reported
1,313
SAT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
1210 – 1390
Avg ACT Score
Not reported
29
ACT Range (25th–75th)
Not reported
26 – 31
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$31,265
$39,495
Tuition (In-State)
$56,444
$58,222
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$56,444
$58,222
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
19.4%
27.2%
Federal Loan Rate
32.7%
47.3%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$86,522
$89,812
Graduation Rate
82.1%
72.8%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
89.8%
80.1%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
5,619
5,697
Undergrad Enrollment
6,050
6,620
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

University of San Diego

Academics
A-
Value
C
Admissions
B-
Diversity
A

University of San Francisco

Academics
B
Value
C
Admissions
C
Diversity
A+

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

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

Admissions: University of San Diego is more selective with a 46.8% acceptance rate compared to University of San Francisco's 50.8%.

Cost: University of San Diego offers a lower average net price at $31,265, which is $8,230 less than University of San Francisco ($39,495). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median salary of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, which is $3,290 more than University of San Diego graduates ($86,522).

Graduation: University of San Diego leads with a 82.1% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 89.8% vs 80.1%.

Campus Size: University of San Francisco is the larger campus with 5,697 total students, while University of San Diego has 5,619.

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

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