Design Institute of San Diego vs. Life Pacific University

Comparable Facts

Compare Design Institute of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Life Pacific University in San Dimas, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Life Pacific University is larger than Design Institute of San Diego based on total student enrollment (621 students vs. 94 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Design Institute of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Life Pacific University is in San Dimas, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• Design Institute of San Diego is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. Life Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Design Institute of San Diego 8:1; Life Pacific University 12:1.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. Life Pacific University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Design Institute of San Diego or Life Pacific University? 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 Life Pacific University than Design Institute of San Diego ($21,602 vs. $44,010).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Life Pacific University are 44.8% lower than at Design Institute of San Diego ($12,190 vs. $22,086).
• Design Institute of San Diego is 32.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Life Pacific University (about $7,182 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $22,118.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 32.5% higher at Design Institute of San Diego than at Life Pacific University (about $7,182 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $22,118.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Design Institute of San Diego as at Life Pacific University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Life Pacific University students is 15.1% larger than aid received by Design Institute of San Diego students ($13,696 vs. $11,901).

Design Institute of San Diego vs. Life Pacific University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Design Institute of San Diego or Life Pacific University? 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 Life Pacific University and Design Institute of San Diego.

• Design Institute of San Diego reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresLife Pacific University 930/1085.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresLife Pacific University 16/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Design Institute of San Diego - Open admission; Life Pacific University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Life Pacific University May 1, 2027.
• Design Institute of San Diego has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than Life Pacific University (95.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at Design Institute of San Diego vs. 33.8% at Life Pacific University.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. Life Pacific University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Design Institute of San Diego and Life Pacific University? 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 (62%) is higher than Life Pacific University's (33%).
• Graduates from Design Institute of San Diego earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than Life Pacific University graduates about ten years after starting college ($38,900 vs. $32,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Life Pacific University graduates have a $20,055 lower median loan debt than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($20,530 vs. $40,585).
• Among borrowers, Life Pacific University graduates have an estimated $207 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($212 vs. $419).
• More Design Institute of San Diego graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Life Pacific University students, three years after graduation. (68% vs. 54%)

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.