FIDM LA vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in Los Angeles, CA with University of San Diego in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of San Diego is larger than FIDM LA based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 564 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising 135:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

FIDM LA vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, FIDM LA or USD? 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 University of San Diego than FIDM LA ($37,918 vs. $39,494).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Diego are 9.8% lower than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising ($19,918 vs. $22,086).
• University of San Diego is 70% more expensive for in-state tuition than FIDM LA (about $24,486 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $35,000.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 70% higher at USD than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (about $24,486 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $35,000.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (84% vs. 78%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 196.1% larger than aid received by FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising students ($40,965 vs. $13,834).

FIDM LA vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, FIDM LA or USD? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USD and FIDM LA.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: FIDM LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); USD - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.

FIDM LA vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for FIDM LA and USD? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising's six-year graduation rate (100%) is higher than University of San Diego's (75%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $28,600 more per year than FIDM LA graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, FIDM Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising graduates have a $9,904 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($13,000 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, FIDM LA graduates have an estimated $102 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($134 vs. $236).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former FIDM LA students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 61%)

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.