USD vs. Seattle U

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Seattle University in Seattle, WA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of San Diego is larger than Seattle U based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 7,189 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USD vs. Seattle U Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USD or Seattle U? 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 Seattle University than USD ($36,948 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Seattle University are 21.2% lower than at University of San Diego ($15,702 vs. $19,918).
• University of San Diego is 4.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Seattle U (about $2,765 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $56,721.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4.9% higher at USD than at Seattle University (about $2,765 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $56,721.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Seattle University than at University of San Diego (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 15.9% larger than aid received by Seattle University students ($40,965 vs. $35,351).

USD vs. Seattle U Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSeattle University 1200/1430.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSeattle University 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USD - Test-free; Seattle U - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026; Seattle U Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at Seattle U (3.62).
• Seattle U has a higher acceptance rate (76.9%) than USD (52.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 13.6% at Seattle U.

USD vs. Seattle U Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USD and Seattle U? 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 Seattle University's (71%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $9,800 more per year than Seattle U graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $60,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $1,596 lower median loan debt than Seattle U graduates ($22,904 vs. $24,500).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Seattle U graduates ($236 vs. $253).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Seattle U students, three years after graduation. (78% vs. 75%)

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.