USD vs. National Louis University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with National Louis University in Chicago, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of San Diego is larger than National Louis University based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 8,915 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); National Louis University is in Chicago, IL (Large City setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. National Louis University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; National Louis University 17:1.

USD vs. National Louis University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or National Louis University? 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 National Louis University than USD ($13,150 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at National Louis University are 26.2% lower than at University of San Diego ($14,700 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 368.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than National Louis University (about $46,781 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 368.2% higher at USD than at National Louis University (about $46,781 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $12,705.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at National Louis University (84% vs. 83%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 270.5% larger than aid received by National Louis University students ($40,965 vs. $11,056).

USD vs. National Louis University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USD or National Louis University? 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 National Louis University and USD.

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; National Louis University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 1.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at National Louis University (2.8).
• National Louis University has a higher acceptance rate (95.1%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 18.4% at National Louis University.

USD vs. National Louis University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and National Louis University? 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 National Louis University's (26%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $20,900 more per year than National Louis University graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, National Louis University graduates have a $3,067 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($19,837 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, National Louis University graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($205 vs. $236).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former National Louis University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 44%)

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.