Scripps College vs. USC

Comparable Facts

Compare Scripps College in Claremont, CA with University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern California is larger than Scripps College based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 1,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Scripps College is located in Claremont, CA (Large Suburban setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• Scripps College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Scripps College 10:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

Scripps College vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Scripps College or USC? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at University of Southern California than Scripps College ($43,412 vs. $44,396).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 10% lower than at Scripps College ($19,931 vs. $22,136).
• University of Southern California is 9.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Scripps College (about $6,147 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $65,950.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.3% higher at USC than at Scripps College (about $6,147 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $65,950.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Scripps College (70% vs. 56%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 8.6% larger than aid received by Scripps College students ($46,897 vs. $43,168).

Scripps College vs. USC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Scripps College or USC? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USC and Scripps College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 10 points higher than at Scripps College (1490).
• Incoming USC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Scripps College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Scripps College 1440/1540; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Scripps College 31/34; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Scripps College - Test optional; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Scripps College Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Scripps College students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at USC (3.83).
• Scripps College has a higher acceptance rate (38.3%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 25.6% at Scripps College vs. 43.3% at USC.

Scripps College vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Scripps College and USC? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• University of Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than Scripps College's (88%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $26,200 more per year than Scripps College graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $59,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Scripps College graduates have a $8,375 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($14,000 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Scripps College graduates have an estimated $87 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($144 vs. $231).
• More Scripps College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (91% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.