USD vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Diego in San Diego, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

University of San Diego is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (9,714 students vs. 1,310 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 14.9% lower than at University of San Diego ($16,960 vs. $19,918).
• Out-of-state tuition is 11% higher at USD than at Westmont College (about $5,902 more per year; $59,486 vs. $53,584).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of San Diego (100% vs. 84%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 5.2% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($40,965 vs. $38,956).

Admissions details

• SAT or ACT scores are test-free at USD, test optional at Westmont College.
• Typical fall application deadline: USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Enrolled first-year students at USD average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.36 higher than at Westmont College (3.59).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.4% at USD vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Loans and repayment

• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of San Diego graduates have a $2,219 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($22,904 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, USD graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($236 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USD students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 78%).

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