La Sierra University vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare La Sierra University in Riverside, 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 La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 1,574 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• La Sierra University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: La Sierra University 12:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

La Sierra University vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University than USD ($23,848 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 32.6% lower than at University of San Diego ($13,431 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 57.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than La Sierra University (about $21,776 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 57.7% higher at USD than at La Sierra University (about $21,776 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $37,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at University of San Diego (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 48.2% larger than aid received by La Sierra University students ($40,965 vs. $27,646).

La Sierra University vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, La Sierra University 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 La Sierra University.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 880/1140.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: La Sierra University 18/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: La Sierra University - Test-free; USD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.41 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at La Sierra University (3.54).
• La Sierra University has a higher acceptance rate (91.5%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 12.4% at USD.

La Sierra University vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for La Sierra University 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).

• University of San Diego's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than La Sierra University's (32%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $18,300 more per year than La Sierra University graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $51,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $7,096 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($22,904 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $74 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($236 vs. $310).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 52%)

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.