USD vs. CCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Colorado Christian University in Lakewood, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Colorado Christian University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (9,951 students vs. 9,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Colorado Christian University is in Lakewood, CO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; Colorado Christian University 17:1.

USD vs. CCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or CCU? 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 Colorado Christian University than USD ($30,940 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado Christian University are 33.6% lower than at University of San Diego ($13,234 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 43.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than CCU (about $18,144 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $41,342.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 43.9% higher at USD than at Colorado Christian University (about $18,144 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $41,342.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado Christian University than at University of San Diego (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 75.8% larger than aid received by Colorado Christian University students ($40,965 vs. $23,302).

USD vs. CCU Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USD or CCU? 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 CCU and USD.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; CCU - Not reported.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026; CCU Aug 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at CCU (3.84).

USD vs. CCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and CCU? 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 Colorado Christian University's (42%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $28,600 more per year than CCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $41,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $2,096 lower median loan debt than CCU graduates ($22,904 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $22 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CCU graduates ($236 vs. $258).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CCU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 50%)

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.