Santa Clara University vs University of San Diego: which has better ROI?
University of San Diego has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $121,460 in 3.2 years versus 3.3 years at Santa Clara University, on median earnings of $86,522 vs $109,183 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Santa Clara University | University of San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $50,062 | $30,365 |
| Total net cost | $200,248 | $121,460 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $109,183 | $86,522 |
| Median debt | $19,162 | $22,940 |
| Payback | 3.3 yrs | 3.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $1,016,212 | $641,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Santa Clara University or University of San Diego?
University of San Diego, at $30,365 a year after aid versus $50,062 — a gap of $19,697 a year, or $78,788 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Santa Clara University or University of San Diego graduates earn more?
Santa Clara University graduates report a median $109,183 ten years after entry, $22,661 more than the $86,522 at University of San Diego. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
Which leaves students with less debt, Santa Clara University or University of San Diego?
Santa Clara University: its completers carry a median $19,162 in federal loans versus $22,940 at University of San Diego, a difference of $3,778. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
88% of students finish at Santa Clara University, against 84% at University of San Diego. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.