USD vs. Pacific

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Pacific University in Forest Grove, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of San Diego is larger than Pacific based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 3,427 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Pacific University is in Forest Grove, OR (Large Suburban setting).
• University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Diego 13:1; Pacific University 10:1.

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific University are 21.6% lower than at University of San Diego ($15,620 vs. $19,918).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at USD than at Pacific University (about $3,112 more per year; $59,486 vs. $56,374).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific University than at University of San Diego (98% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 10.3% larger than aid received by Pacific University students ($40,965 vs. $37,139).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at USD, test optional at Pacific.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026; Pacific Aug 25, 2027.
• Enrolled first-year students at USD average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.22 higher than at Pacific (3.73).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 13.1% at Pacific.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $3,252 lower median loan debt than Pacific graduates ($22,904 vs. $26,156).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $34 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Pacific graduates ($236 vs. $270).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Pacific students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 78%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.