USD vs. American University of Health Sciences

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with American University of Health Sciences in Signal Hill, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of San Diego is larger than American University of Health Sciences based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 473 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); American University of Health Sciences is in Signal Hill, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. American University of Health Sciences is a private, for-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; American University of Health Sciences 16:1.

USD vs. American University of Health Sciences Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or American University of Health Sciences? 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 American University of Health Sciences than USD ($26,480 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University of Health Sciences are 1.4% lower than at University of San Diego ($19,632 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 142.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than American University of Health Sciences (about $34,911 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $24,575.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.1% higher at USD than at American University of Health Sciences (about $34,911 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $24,575.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at American University of Health Sciences than at University of San Diego (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 107.7% larger than aid received by American University of Health Sciences students ($40,965 vs. $19,723).

USD vs. American University of Health Sciences Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USD or American University of Health Sciences? 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 American University of Health Sciences and USD.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; American University of Health Sciences - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 1.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at American University of Health Sciences (2.5).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (52.4%) than American University of Health Sciences (50%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 100% at American University of Health Sciences.

USD vs. American University of Health Sciences Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and American University of Health Sciences? 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).

• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $31,200 more per year than American University of Health Sciences graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $39,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $14,386 lower median loan debt than American University of Health Sciences graduates ($22,904 vs. $37,290).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $149 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than American University of Health Sciences graduates ($236 vs. $385).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former American University of Health Sciences students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 69%)

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.