Villanova University vs University of San Diego

Villanova University and University of San Diego, both esteemed institutions of higher learning, offer distinct educational experiences. Villanova, a private Catholic university in Pennsylvania, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate compared to the University of San Diego, a private Catholic university in California. While Villanova excels in business, engineering, and nursing programs, San Diego shines in business, engineering, and biological sciences. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further differences, including student body demographics, tuition fees, and available majors, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.

	University of San Diego	Villanova University
Overview
Location	San Diego, California	Villanova, Pennsylvania
Campus setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	4-1-4	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	92.0%	96.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation	Catholic	Catholic

Admission
Acceptance rate	52.7%	25.2%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $55 Graduate: $45	Undergraduate: $80 Graduate: $50
SAT range	N/A	1350 - 1490
ACT range	N/A	31 - 34
Students submitting SAT score		28.0%
Students submitting ACT score		17.0%
Total number of applicants	14,326	24,410
Total number of admissions given out	7,550	6,162
Admitted students who chose to enroll	1,166	1,772
Yield rate	15.4%	28.8%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$75,982	$77,806
Average net price	$34,155	$33,123
Tuition	$52,120	$58,290
Room & board	$16,246	Room/dormitory: $8,236 Meal plan: $7,150
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	82.0% Average amount $34,413	52.0% Average amount $43,106
Students receiving federal student loan	33.0% Average amount $5,216	34.0% Average amount $5,267
Students taking out private loans	5.0% Average amount $12,155	7.0% Average amount $29,933

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	5,702 Men 43.9% Women 56.1%	7,032 Men 45.6% Women 54.4%
Graduate students	3,339 Men 42.4% Women 57.6%	3,838 Men 46.6% Women 53.4%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	45.5%	80.7%
International students	6.2%	3.6%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	Suburb: Large
Dormitory capacity	2,484	5,400
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Colorado Arizona Nevada	New Jersey Pennsylvania New York Connecticut Maryland

Academics
Popular study areas	Legal Profession Business Education Health Professions Law Enforcement and Firefighting	Business Engineering Health Professions Legal Profession Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	13:1	11:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Outcome
Graduation rate	80.0%	91.3%
Dropout rate	19.5%	1.5%
Transferred out	N/A	7.2%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $114,672 Year 2: $117,572 Year 3: $115,744 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $95,123 Year 2: $89,672 Year 3: $102,690 Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $91,786 Year 2: $84,653 Year 3: $98,598 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $96,329 Year 2: $91,744 Year 3: $93,985 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $71,367 Year 2: $73,391 Year 3: $92,346 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,417 Year 2: $75,706 Year 3: $84,924 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,970 Year 2: $63,005 Year 3: $84,277 Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $62,809 Year 2: $61,962 Year 3: $75,083 Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,424 Year 2: $67,324 Year 3: $72,729 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $58,434 Year 2: $61,069 Year 3: $72,310	Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $114,668 Year 2: $165,766 Year 3: $171,511 Taxation (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $124,137 Year 2: $100,740 Year 3: $121,765 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,590 Year 2: $109,095 Year 3: $118,365 Business/Managerial Economics (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,687 Year 2: $90,856 Year 3: $106,587 Real Estate (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $70,782 Year 2: $71,351 Year 3: $91,484 Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,757 Year 2: $73,579 Year 3: $88,419 Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $84,583 Year 2: $80,218 Year 3: $88,254 Management Information Systems and Services (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,297 Year 2: $71,947 Year 3: $86,990 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $73,492 Year 2: $72,214 Year 3: $85,108 Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $71,115 Year 2: $74,576 Year 3: $84,596

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between Villanova University and the University of San Diego?

Villanova University, located in Pennsylvania, is a private, Catholic, Augustinian university known for its strong sense of community and emphasis on liberal arts and professional programs. The University of San Diego (USD), located in California, is also a private, Catholic university, but it's affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart. USD is known for its beautiful campus, strong international programs, and focus on undergraduate education, though it also has well-regarded graduate programs.
How do the academic reputations of Villanova and USD compare?

Both Villanova and USD are highly regarded academically. Villanova is often ranked higher nationally overall, particularly for its business and engineering programs. USD also boasts strong programs, especially in business, law, and international relations. The 'best' academic reputation depends on your specific field of study.
What is the campus environment like at each university?

Villanova has a more traditional, East Coast college campus feel with a strong emphasis on athletics and campus traditions. It's located in a suburban setting. USD's campus is known for its stunning Spanish Renaissance architecture and beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. The atmosphere is generally more laid-back and reflects the Southern California lifestyle.
How do the costs of attending Villanova and USD compare?

Both Villanova and USD are private universities, so tuition costs are comparable and generally high. However, the overall cost of attendance can vary depending on factors like room and board, personal expenses, and financial aid packages. It's best to check the official websites of both universities for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information and to explore their financial aid options.
What types of students typically attend Villanova versus USD?

Villanova tends to attract students from the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions, although it has a growing national presence. Students are often drawn to its strong academics, Catholic identity, and vibrant campus life. USD attracts students from across the United States and internationally, with a significant portion coming from California and the West Coast. Students are often drawn to its strong academics, beautiful location, and focus on international perspectives.
What are the strengths of Villanova's academic programs?

Villanova is particularly strong in business (Villanova School of Business), engineering, nursing, and law. Its liberal arts programs are also well-regarded, and the university emphasizes a holistic education that integrates faith and reason.
What are the strengths of USD's academic programs?

USD is known for its strong business programs (School of Business), law school, and international relations programs. It also has excellent programs in engineering, nursing, and the humanities. USD emphasizes experiential learning and global perspectives in its curriculum.
How does the location of each university impact student life?

Villanova's location in suburban Philadelphia provides students with access to a major city for internships, cultural experiences, and entertainment, while still offering a traditional campus environment. USD's location in San Diego offers students access to beaches, outdoor activities, and a vibrant city known for its innovation and tourism. The weather in San Diego is also a major draw for many students.
What are the religious aspects of each university?

Both Villanova and USD are Catholic universities, but their religious affiliations differ slightly. Villanova is Augustinian, while USD is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart. Both universities offer opportunities for religious engagement and reflection, but the specific traditions and emphases may vary.
What are the athletic programs like at Villanova and USD?

Villanova is a Division I school with a strong basketball program, known for its national championships. It also has competitive programs in other sports. USD is also a Division I school, with a range of athletic programs, including basketball, football, and baseball. While USD's athletic profile isn't as nationally prominent as Villanova's basketball program, it still offers a competitive athletic environment.
How do the career services and internship opportunities compare?

Both Villanova and USD offer comprehensive career services to help students find internships and jobs after graduation. Villanova's location near Philadelphia provides access to a wide range of internship opportunities in various industries. USD's location in San Diego offers opportunities in technology, tourism, and international business. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can assist students in their career searches.
What is the student-faculty ratio at each university?

Both Villanova and USD pride themselves on offering a personalized learning environment with relatively low student-faculty ratios. While the exact numbers may fluctuate, both universities generally maintain ratios that allow for close interaction between students and professors. Check the university websites for the most current statistics.

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