CDU vs. Design Institute of San Diego

Comparable Facts

Compare Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science in Los Angeles, CA with Design Institute of San Diego in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is larger than Design Institute of San Diego based on total student enrollment (852 students vs. 94 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large Suburban setting); Design Institute of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Design Institute of San Diego is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science 4:1; Design Institute of San Diego 8:1.

CDU vs. Design Institute of San Diego Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CDU or Design Institute of San Diego? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science than Design Institute of San Diego ($35,558 vs. $44,010).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Design Institute of San Diego are 33.3% lower than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science ($22,086 vs. $33,090).
• Design Institute of San Diego is 27.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than CDU (about $6,300 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 27.4% higher at Design Institute of San Diego than at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science (about $6,300 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $23,000.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science as at Design Institute of San Diego (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Design Institute of San Diego students is 178.3% larger than aid received by Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science students ($11,901 vs. $4,276).

CDU vs. Design Institute of San Diego Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CDU or Design Institute of San Diego? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Design Institute of San Diego and CDU.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CDU - Open admission; Design Institute of San Diego - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: CDU Jul 30, 2027.
• Design Institute of San Diego has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than CDU (38.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 3.5% at CDU vs. 28.6% at Design Institute of San Diego.

CDU vs. Design Institute of San Diego Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CDU and Design Institute of San Diego? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Design Institute of San Diego's six-year graduation rate is 62%. Comparable graduation rate data is not available for CDU.
• Graduates from Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science earn a median of about $32,000 more per year than Design Institute of San Diego graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,900 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Charles R Drew University of Medicine and Science graduates have a $19,266 lower median loan debt than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($21,319 vs. $40,585).
• Among borrowers, CDU graduates have an estimated $199 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($220 vs. $419).
• More Design Institute of San Diego graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CDU students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 56%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.