University of San Francisco vs University of San Diego
Nestled in the vibrant cities of San Francisco and San Diego, the University of San Francisco (USF) and the University of San Diego (USD) stand as two distinct beacons of higher education in California. While both institutions share a commitment to academic excellence and student success, they offer unique experiences shaped by their diverse locations, student demographics, and academic strengths. USF, rooted in the Jesuit tradition, boasts a diverse student body and a strong focus on social justice, while USD, guided by the Catholic faith, emphasizes leadership and ethical decision-making. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, and graduation outcomes, USF and USD cater to different student aspirations and goals. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic pursuits, personal values, and desired college experience.
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![]() University of San Diego |
![]() University of San Francisco |
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Overview |
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Location | San Diego, California | San Francisco, California |
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 | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 92.0% | 86.0% |
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Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | Catholic |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 52.7% | 70.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$55
Graduate:
$45
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$55
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SAT range | N/A | 1190 - 1390 |
ACT range | N/A | 26 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 14,326 | 22,372 |
Total number of admissions given out | 7,550 | 15,867 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,166 | 1,452 |
Yield rate | 15.4% | 9.2% |
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 | $75,232 |
Average net price | $34,155 | $39,825 |
Tuition | $52,120 | $52,920 |
Room & board | $16,246 |
Room/dormitory:
$11,030
Meal plan:
$5,110
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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 |
92.0%
Average amount $31,112 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
33.0%
Average amount $5,216 |
47.0%
Average amount $5,182 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $12,155 |
6.0%
Average amount $23,306 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,702
Men 43.9% Women 56.1% |
5,969
Men 35.6% Women 64.4% |
Graduate students |
3,339
Men 42.4% Women 57.6% |
4,065
Men 34.0% Women 66.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 45.5% | 35.6% |
International students | 6.2% | 12.9% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,484 | 2,800 |
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 | California Washington Oregon Texas Hawaii |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 80.0% | 75.6% |
Dropout rate | 19.5% | 7.8% |
Transferred out | N/A | 16.4% |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Economics (Master's Degrees)
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