USD vs. CUW

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, WI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of San Diego is larger than CUW based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 5,253 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Concordia University Wisconsin is in Mequon, WI (Rural Fringe setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Concordia University Wisconsin is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; Concordia University Wisconsin 11:1.

USD vs. CUW Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or CUW? 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 Concordia University Wisconsin than USD ($31,916 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Wisconsin are 33.7% lower than at University of San Diego ($13,200 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 67.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than CUW (about $24,016 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $35,470.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.7% higher at USD than at Concordia University Wisconsin (about $24,016 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $35,470.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Wisconsin than at University of San Diego (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 91.6% larger than aid received by Concordia University Wisconsin students ($40,965 vs. $21,379).

USD vs. CUW Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsConcordia University Wisconsin 20/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; CUW - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.43 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at CUW (3.52).
• CUW has a higher acceptance rate (78.2%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 14.1% at CUW.

USD vs. CUW Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and CUW? 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 Concordia University Wisconsin's (58%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $24,100 more per year than CUW graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $46,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $1,021 lower median loan debt than CUW graduates ($22,904 vs. $23,925).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $11 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CUW graduates ($236 vs. $247).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CUW 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.