NDNU vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, 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 NDNU based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 306 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Notre Dame de Namur University is located in Belmont, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Notre Dame de Namur 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: Notre Dame de Namur University 6:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

NDNU vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, NDNU or USD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Notre Dame de Namur University are 24.6% lower than at University of San Diego ($15,016 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 63.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than NDNU (about $23,180 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $36,306.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.8% higher at USD than at Notre Dame de Namur University (about $23,180 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $36,306.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at Notre Dame de Namur University (84% vs. 0%).

NDNU vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, NDNU 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 NDNU.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: NDNU - Not reported; USD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.85 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at NDNU (3.1).

NDNU vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for NDNU 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 Notre Dame de Namur University's (51%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $11,500 more per year than NDNU graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $58,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $2,318 lower median loan debt than NDNU graduates ($22,904 vs. $25,222).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than NDNU graduates ($236 vs. $260).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former NDNU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 64%)

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.