University of San Diego vs St. Thomas
Nestled in the vibrant city of San Diego, California, the University of San Diego (USD) and the University of St. Thomas (UST), located in the historic city of St. Paul, Minnesota, stand as two distinct institutions of higher learning. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they offer unique experiences shaped by their diverse locations, student demographics, and academic strengths. USD boasts a higher acceptance rate, attracting a more diverse student body, while UST maintains a slightly higher graduation rate. Explore the detailed comparison table below to delve into the specifics of each university, including popular majors, student life, and financial aid opportunities, to determine which institution best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() University of San Diego |
![]() University of St Thomas |
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Overview |
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Location | San Diego, California | Saint Paul, Minnesota |
Campus setting | City: 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 | 92.0% | 85.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 52.7% | 75.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$45
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$60 |
SAT range | N/A | 1120 - 1380 |
ACT range | N/A | 22 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 4.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 57.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 14,326 | 8,654 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,550 | 6,536 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,166 | 1,349 |
Yield rate | 15.4% | 20.6% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $75,982 | $66,224 |
Average net price | $34,155 | $30,099 |
Tuition | $52,120 | $47,274 |
Room & board | $16,246 |
Room/dormitory:
$7,571
Meal plan:
$4,570
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
82.0%
Average amount $34,413 |
96.0%
Average amount $30,821 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
33.0%
Average amount $5,216 |
51.0%
Average amount $5,256 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $12,155 |
52.0%
Average amount $4,899 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,702
Men 43.9% Women 56.1% |
6,056
Men 51.6% Women 48.4% |
Graduate students |
3,339
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
3,280
Men 45.2% Women 54.8% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 45.5% | 21.6% |
International students | 6.2% | 5.2% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,484 | 3,023 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Colorado Arizona Nevada | Minnesota Wisconsin Illinois North Dakota Iowa |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 14:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Higher Learning Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 80.0% | 78.1% |
Dropout rate | 19.5% | 6.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | 14.5% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Criminal Justice and Corrections (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees)
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