USD vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

Santa Clara University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (9,728 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); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

USD vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or SCU? 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 SCU ($37,918 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 0.1% lower than at University of San Diego ($19,893 vs. $19,918).
• Santa Clara University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $1,807 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $59,486.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at SCU than at University of San Diego (about $1,807 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $59,486.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at Santa Clara University (84% vs. 71%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 44.4% larger than aid received by Santa Clara University students ($40,965 vs. $28,368).

USD vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSanta Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSanta Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at SCU (3.67).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (52.4%) than SCU (48%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 17.7% at SCU.

USD vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and SCU? 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).

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than University of San Diego's (75%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $11,700 more per year than USD graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $70,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Santa Clara University graduates have a $1,404 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, SCU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($222 vs. $236).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.