USD vs. St. Thomas University

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of San Diego is larger than St. Thomas University based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 7,652 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); St. Thomas University is in Miami Gardens, FL (Large Suburban setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. Thomas University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; St. Thomas University 17:1.

USD vs. St. Thomas University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas University than USD ($27,844 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at St. Thomas University are 33.7% lower than at University of San Diego ($13,210 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 71.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than St. Thomas University (about $24,716 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $34,770.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 71.1% higher at USD than at St. Thomas University (about $24,716 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $34,770.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at St. Thomas University than at University of San Diego (99% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 75.4% larger than aid received by St. Thomas University students ($40,965 vs. $23,356).

USD vs. St. Thomas University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USD or St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas University and USD.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 860/1060.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSt. Thomas University 16/21.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; St. Thomas University - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.71 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at St. Thomas University (3.24).
• St. Thomas University has a higher acceptance rate (97.9%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 10.5% at St. Thomas University.

USD vs. St. Thomas University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and St. Thomas 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 St. Thomas University's (39%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $13,800 more per year than St. Thomas University graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $56,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. Thomas University graduates have a $151 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($22,753 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, St. Thomas University graduates have an estimated $1 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($235 vs. $236).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former St. Thomas University students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 48%)

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.