Head-to-Head Comparison
Quinnipiac University vs University of San Francisco
- Quinnipiac Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 15
- San Francisco Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Quinnipiac University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $40,675 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, Quinnipiac University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Quinnipiac University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $83,759 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Quinnipiac
- Lower cost: Average net price of $40,675, roughly $756 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 77% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
San Francisco
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, 7% more than Quinnipiac University
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
- More selective: Admits 62% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Quinnipiac graduates concentrate in Health Professions (35% of degrees); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of San Francisco over Quinnipiac University. Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment vs $83,759.
Pick Quinnipiac University over University of San Francisco. Net price $40,675 vs $41,431.
Pick University of San Francisco over Quinnipiac University. 2.7% mobility rate vs 0.9%.
Pick Quinnipiac University over University of San Francisco. 77% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Quinnipiac University and University of San Francisco are close on paper, but University of San Francisco wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of San Francisco is the harder admit. It takes 62% of applicants, while Quinnipiac University takes 72%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,242 to 1,295.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of San Francisco sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Quinnipiac University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $40,675, about $756 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of University of San Francisco also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $26,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $3,024 before any change in aid. Choosing Quinnipiac University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of San Francisco graduates report median earnings of $89,812, compared with $83,759 at Quinnipiac University. That is a 7% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of San Francisco has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.31x.
So what: An earnings gap of 7% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Quinnipiac University graduates a larger share of its students, 77% versus 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
University of San Francisco does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.7%; at Quinnipiac University, it is 0.9%. University of San Francisco also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 1.9%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of San Francisco offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Quinnipiac University to keep costs and debt down; pick University of San Francisco for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Quinnipiac University saves about $756 a year, yet University of San Francisco graduates earn $6,053 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
San Francisco offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Quinnipiac does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Quinnipiac University
Hamden, CT · Private nonprofit
Quinnipiac University serves over 6,500 students, with a graduation rate of 77%. This indicates a strong support system helping students to complete their degrees. The university maintains a 72% acceptance rate, making it a viable option for many applicants seeking a private education.
The earning potential for graduates is notable, with a median income of $83,759 ten years after graduation. While the specifics on mobility and economic connectedness are not provided, the solid earnings indicate that many graduates find success in their fields. The university's focus on health professions, business, and communications aligns well with job market demands.
Financially, students face a net price of $40,675, and the median student debt stands at $26,000. This suggests that while the cost of attendance is significant, many graduates are able to manage their debt effectively thanks to their earning potential. Quinnipiac attracts students who thrive in collaborative and career-oriented environments, particularly in programs like health professions and business.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Quinnipiac University is featured on the Best Nursing Colleges in Connecticut ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Quinnipiac's top program is Nursing (BSN) (35% of enrollment), while San Francisco leads with Business Administration (18%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Quinnipiac) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. Quinnipiac University is strongest in Communications, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Social Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Quinnipiac
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Quinnipiac University or University of San Francisco?
University of San Francisco is harder to get into, admitting 62% of applicants compared with 72% at Quinnipiac University.
Which is more affordable, Quinnipiac University or University of San Francisco?
Quinnipiac University is more affordable, with an average net price of $40,675 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do Quinnipiac University or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, versus $83,759 at Quinnipiac University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Quinnipiac University or University of San Francisco?
Quinnipiac University has the higher graduation rate, 77% versus 71%.
Quinnipiac University vs University of San Francisco: which is better for social mobility?
University of San Francisco is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.7% versus 0.9%.
Should you choose Quinnipiac University or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Quinnipiac University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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