University of San Francisco vs University of San Diego

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
50.8%
46.8%
Avg SAT Score
1,313
Not reported
SAT Range (25th–75th)
1210 – 1390
Not reported
Avg ACT Score
29
Not reported
ACT Range (25th–75th)
26 – 31
Not reported
Cost & Financial Aid
Avg Net Price
$39,495
$31,265
Tuition (In-State)
$58,222
$56,444
Tuition (Out-of-State)
$58,222
$56,444
Pell Grant Rate % students receiving Pell Grants
27.2%
19.4%
Federal Loan Rate
47.3%
32.7%
Career Outcomes
Median Salary (10yr)
$89,812
$86,522
Graduation Rate
72.8%
82.1%
Retention Rate Freshmen who return for 2nd year
80.1%
89.8%
Campus Life
Total Enrollment
5,697
5,619
Undergrad Enrollment
6,620
6,050
Type
Private
Private
Setting
Urban
Urban

πŸ“‹ Report Cards

University of San Francisco

Academics
B
Value
C
Admissions
C
Diversity
A+

University of San Diego

Academics
A-
Value
C
Admissions
B-
Diversity
A

βš–οΈ Expert Analysis

University of San Francisco 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: 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 80.1% vs 89.8%.

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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