University of San Diego vs Samford
Nestled in the vibrant city of San Diego, California, and the charming town of Homewood, Alabama, University of San Diego (USD) and Samford University stand as two distinct institutions of higher learning. While both universities offer a rich academic experience, they differ in several key aspects. USD boasts a diverse student body, with a higher acceptance rate and a larger international student population compared to Samford. In terms of academics, USD excels in fields like business, engineering, and nursing, while Samford is known for its strengths in liberal arts, education, and health sciences. Discover more about these universities' unique characteristics, including graduation rates, student life, and available financial aid, by exploring the comprehensive comparison table provided on this page. Whether you're seeking a dynamic urban setting or a close-knit community atmosphere, this comparison will help you make an informed decision about your educational journey.
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![]() Samford University |
![]() University of San Diego |
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Overview |
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Location | Birmingham, Alabama | San Diego, California |
Campus setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | 4-1-4 | 4-1-4 |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 89.0% | 92.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Baptist | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 83.9% | 52.7% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$35
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Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$45
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SAT range | 1100 - 1290 | N/A |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 22.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 66.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 4,217 | 14,326 |
Total number of admissions given out | 3,537 | 7,550 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 920 | 1,166 |
Yield rate | 26.0% | 15.4% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $53,100 | $75,982 |
Average net price | $31,871 | $34,155 |
Tuition | $34,410 | $52,120 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,150
Meal plan:
$5,110
|
$16,246 |
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
99.0%
Average amount $19,443 |
82.0%
Average amount $34,413 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
31.0%
Average amount $5,320 |
33.0%
Average amount $5,216 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $19,317 |
5.0%
Average amount $12,155 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
3,607
Men 33.4% Women 66.6% |
5,702
Men 43.9% Women 56.1% |
Graduate students |
2,151
Men 32.3% Women 67.7% |
3,339
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Very Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 73.0% | 45.5% |
International students | 0.8% | 6.2% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,375 | 2,484 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Alabama Georgia Tennessee Texas Florida | California Washington Colorado Arizona Nevada |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 12:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 78.9% | 80.0% |
Dropout rate | 20.9% | 19.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Doctoral Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Theological and Ministerial Studies (Master's Degrees)
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods (Master's Degrees)
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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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