USD vs. TCU

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Texas Christian University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (12,938 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); Texas Christian University is in Fort Worth, TX (Large City setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Texas Christian University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; Texas Christian University 14:1.

USD vs. TCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or TCU? 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 TCU ($37,918 vs. $41,848).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Texas Christian University are 16.2% lower than at University of San Diego ($16,700 vs. $19,918).
• Texas Christian University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than USD (about $2,254 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $59,486.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.8% higher at TCU than at University of San Diego (about $2,254 more per year; $61,740.00 vs. $59,486.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at Texas Christian University (84% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 17.1% larger than aid received by Texas Christian University students ($40,965 vs. $34,975).

USD vs. TCU Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Christian University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsTexas Christian University 26/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; TCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026; TCU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.27 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at TCU (3.68).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (52.4%) than TCU (44.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 24.7% at TCU.

USD vs. TCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and TCU? 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 Texas Christian University's (74%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $12,600 more per year than TCU graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $57,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Texas Christian University graduates have a $1,404 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, TCU graduates have an estimated $14 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($222 vs. $236).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former TCU students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 77%)

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.