CIIS vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA with University of San Diego in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of San Diego is larger than CIIS based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 1,874 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Institute of Integral Studies is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California Institute of Integral Studies is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Institute of Integral Studies 15:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

CIIS vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CIIS or USD? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• In-state tuition differs between University of San Diego and CIIS ($59,486.00 vs. $0.00).
• Out-of-state tuition differs between USD and California Institute of Integral Studies ($59,486.00 vs. $0.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at California Institute of Integral Studies (84% vs. 0%).

CIIS vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CIIS - Not reported; USD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.

CIIS vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CIIS and USD? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Institute of Integral Studies graduates have a $4,154 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($18,750 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, CIIS graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($193 vs. $236).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former CIIS students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 45%)

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.