USD vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

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

University of San Diego is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; Westmont College 10:1.

USD vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College than USD ($32,172 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 14.9% lower than at University of San Diego ($16,960 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 11% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $5,902 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at USD than at Westmont College (about $5,902 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of San Diego (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($40,965 vs. $38,956).

USD vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.36 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

USD vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and Westmont College? 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).

• Westmont College's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than University of San Diego's (75%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $15,600 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $2,219 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($22,904 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($236 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College 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.