Head-to-Head Comparison
University of California-San Diego vs Villanova University
- California-San Diego Wins
- 20
- Tied
- 17
- Villanova Wins
- 13
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-San Diego offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Villanova University achieves a higher graduation rate (92% vs 87%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $43,756 compared to University of California-San Diego's $12,470. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of California-San Diego's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
50 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
California-San Diego
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,470, roughly $31,286 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $15,500, the lower of the two
Villanova
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, 18% more than University of California-San Diego
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
California-San Diego graduates concentrate in Biology & Biomedical (19% of degrees); Villanova in Business & Marketing (23%). 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 Villanova University over University of California-San Diego. Median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment vs $84,943.
Pick University of California-San Diego over Villanova University. Net price $12,470 vs $43,756.
Pick Villanova University over University of California-San Diego. 92% completion rate vs 87%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
University of California-San Diego and Villanova University are close on paper, but University of California-San Diego wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 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 California-San Diego is the harder admit. It takes 27% of applicants, while Villanova University takes 27%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of California-San Diego 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, University of California-San Diego comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,470, about $31,286 a year below Villanova University's $43,756. Graduates of University of California-San Diego also borrow less: median debt of $15,500, against $25,874.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $125,144 before any change in aid. Choosing University of California-San Diego leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Villanova University graduates report median earnings of $100,423, compared with $84,943 at University of California-San Diego. That is a 18% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of California-San Diego has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.18x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 18% 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
Villanova University graduates a larger share of its students, 92% versus 87%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 5% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick University of California-San Diego to keep costs and debt down; pick Villanova University for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. University of California-San Diego saves about $31,286 a year, yet Villanova University graduates earn $15,480 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. University of California-San Diego concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, while Villanova University leans toward Business & Marketing. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: University of California-San Diego has less business program depth, and Villanova University offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-San Diego's enrollment of 34,948 far exceeds Villanova University's 6,938.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $43,756 runs well above University of California-San Diego's $12,470.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $25,874, against $15,500 at University of California-San Diego.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Villanova holds onto its admits more tightly: 28% of admitted students enroll, versus 20% at California-San Diego — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Villanova offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; California-San Diego 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
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
The University of California-San Diego has an impressive graduation rate of 87%. This high percentage reflects the school's commitment to student success and academic support. It stands out in California's competitive higher education landscape, making it an attractive option for many students.
According to the Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, UC San Diego graduates have a 10-year earning potential of $84,943. This earning figure positions the university as a strong pathway for upward mobility, especially for students from lower-income backgrounds. The data indicates that a significant portion of graduates experience substantial economic advancement post-graduation.
Practical considerations are also favorable. The net price for attending UC San Diego is $12,470, making it a relatively affordable option compared to other institutions. Graduates leave with a median debt of $15,500, which is manageable given their earning potential. Students who thrive here often pursue degrees in Biology, Engineering, Social Sciences, Psychology, and Computer Science, fields that are in high demand in today's job market.
Villanova University
Villanova, PA · Private nonprofit
At Villanova University, students can expect a tight-knit campus environment with an enrollment of just under 7,000. This university is a great fit for those pursuing degrees in Business and Marketing, Engineering, Social Sciences, Health Professions, and Communications. With an acceptance rate of 27%, it attracts motivated students who are ready to engage deeply in their studies and community.
Looking ahead, graduates from Villanova see impressive outcomes. The average earnings a decade after graduation sit at $100,423, which speaks volumes about the value of a Villanova degree in today’s job market. The school's strong graduation rate of 92% indicates that students not only enroll but also complete their degrees, setting them up for success in their chosen fields.
When it comes to the financial side, the net price after financial aid is $43,756, which is important to consider alongside the median debt level of $25,874. This suggests that while the costs can be significant, many students manage to navigate their financial responsibilities effectively. Those who thrive here are often driven, engaged, and ready to leverage the resources Villanova offers to propel their careers forward.
Rankings They Appear On
Villanova University is featured on the Best Communications Colleges in Pennsylvania ranking.
Top Degree Programs
California-San Diego's top program is Biology (19% of enrollment), while Villanova leads with Business Administration (23%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for California-San Diego) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for Villanova).
The two schools feed different job markets. University of California-San Diego is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Psychology, while Villanova University concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions. 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.
California-San Diego
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into University of California-San Diego or Villanova University?
University of California-San Diego is harder to get into, admitting 27% of applicants compared with 27% at Villanova University.
Which is more affordable, University of California-San Diego or Villanova University?
University of California-San Diego is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,470 after aid versus $43,756 at Villanova University.
Do University of California-San Diego or Villanova University graduates earn more?
Villanova University graduates earn more: median earnings of $100,423 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,943 at University of California-San Diego.
Which has a better graduation rate, University of California-San Diego or Villanova University?
Villanova University has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 87%.
Should you choose University of California-San Diego or Villanova University?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-San Diego if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Villanova University 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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