San Diego Christian College vs. USD

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego Christian College in Santee, 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 San Diego Christian College based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 96 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego Christian College is located in Santee, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• San Diego Christian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego Christian College 9:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

San Diego Christian College vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego Christian College or USD? 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 San Diego Christian College than USD ($21,199 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Christian College are 44.4% lower than at University of San Diego ($11,080 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 112.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego Christian College (about $31,474 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $28,012.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 112.4% higher at USD than at San Diego Christian College (about $31,474 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $28,012.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Christian College than at University of San Diego (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 120.4% larger than aid received by San Diego Christian College students ($40,965 vs. $18,584).

San Diego Christian College vs. USD Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College.

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego Christian College 900/1098.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego Christian College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego Christian College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional); USD - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.69 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at San Diego Christian College (3.26).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (52.4%) than San Diego Christian College (30.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at San Diego Christian College vs. 12.4% at USD.

San Diego Christian College vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego Christian College 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).

• University of San Diego's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than San Diego Christian College's (31%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $30,700 more per year than San Diego Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $202 lower median loan debt than San Diego Christian College graduates ($22,904 vs. $23,106).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $2 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego Christian College graduates ($236 vs. $238).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Christian College students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 47%)

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.