USD vs. Gonzaga

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Gonzaga University in Spokane, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of San Diego is larger than Gonzaga based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 7,470 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USD vs. Gonzaga Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or Gonzaga? 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 University of San Diego than Gonzaga ($37,918 vs. $40,117).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Gonzaga University are 21% lower than at University of San Diego ($15,730 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Gonzaga (about $4,006 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $55,480.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at USD than at Gonzaga University (about $4,006 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $55,480.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Gonzaga University than at University of San Diego (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 22.7% larger than aid received by Gonzaga University students ($40,965 vs. $33,390).

USD vs. Gonzaga Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGonzaga University 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsGonzaga University 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; Gonzaga - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026; Gonzaga Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Gonzaga (3.67).
• Gonzaga has a higher acceptance rate (81.7%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 17.5% at Gonzaga.

USD vs. Gonzaga Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and Gonzaga? 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).

• Gonzaga University's six-year graduation rate (83%) is higher than University of San Diego's (75%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $8,600 more per year than Gonzaga graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $61,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $3,490 lower median loan debt than Gonzaga graduates ($22,904 vs. $26,394).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Gonzaga graduates ($236 vs. $272).
• More Gonzaga graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (86% vs. 78%)

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.