Yes, there is some competition from UCLA/USC and the NorCal T1s, but not enough to make any sort of real dent in SDt14fanboy wrote:Vkgarrett are you even from southern california? Saying that USD is the best school in its city and that Loyola is the third best in LA adds nothing. If you think that UCLA or USC grads don't compete for jobs in San Diego you are kidding yourself.
OP you have great work experience and that might get you a job in LA or San Diego but don't go expecting great things out of the reputations of these schools. Since you say finances don't matter as much, pick based on where you want to live and the feel of the schools.
http://californiabar.globl.org/report.p ... 0&g=2&pp=5 (disclaimer - don't kill me if there is something wrong with these stats or they are misleading

Basically, if you want to practice in San Diego, USD seems like a great choice. Kinda like George Mason is very popular in D.C. even if it doesn't hold much weight in SD. Similarly SD doesn't hold much weight in D.C. Regional reputation, alumni base count for a lot in every cit. However, like Danteshek pointed out, if you do well at school it won't matter. Really boils down to whether I want to stay in SD or LA after graduation. SD seemed like a very sleep town to me after D.C.