SCI-Arc vs. USC

Should I go to Southern California Institute of Architecture or University of Southern California? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if SCI-Arc or USC is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.
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Southern California Institute of Architecture vs. University of Southern California comparison
Southern California Institute of Architecture University of Southern California College 3 College 4
Southern California Institute of Architecture University of Southern California
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Overview

 SCI-Arc USC
Location Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles, CA
Setting Large City Large City
Enrollment 507 48,945
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #34
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sciarc.edu usc.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

 SCI-Arc USC
Tuition (In State) $49,490 $63,468
Tuition (Out of State) $49,490 $63,468
Room & Board $13,440 $17,436
Avg Net Price $19,041 $36,808
Avg Grant Aid $43,364 $45,262
% Receiving Grant Aid 30% 71%

Admission

 SCI-Arc USC
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 513 69,062
Admitted 307 8,304
Acceptance Rate 59.8% 12%
Enrolled % 9.1% 41.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.5 3.83
Typical High School Grades B+ A-
Admissions Standards Moderate Elite
Applicant Competition Low Very High
ACT Range 32/35
SAT Range 1020/1230 1450/1550
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Jan 15, 2025

Academics

 SCI-Arc USC
Student to Faculty Ratio 15:1 9:1
Popular Majors
  • Architecture (100%)
  • Business (25%)
  • Social Sciences (15%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Engineering (8%)

Outcomes

 SCI-Arc USC
Graduation Rate 58% 90%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,400 $85,500
Making Student Loan Payments 62% 81%
Median Student Loan Debt $42,750 $22,375
Median Loan Payment $442 $231

Diversity

 SCI-Arc USC
% Men 59% 46%
% Women 41% 54%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 13% 40%
% Black 1% 4%
% Hispanic 14% 14%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 2% 5%
% International 51% 13%
% Unknown Race 0% 1%

Students

 SCI-Arc USC
% In-State 29% 42%
% Out-of-State 14% 40%

Campus

 SCI-Arc USC
Campus Housing No Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan No Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • University of Southern California is larger than than SCI-Arc based on total student enrollment (48,945 students vs. 507 students)

SCI-Arc vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, SCI-Arc or USC?

  • University of Southern California is 28.2% more expensive to attend than SCI-Arc for in-state tuition ($63,468.00 vs. $49,490.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 28.2% higher at USC than Southern California Institute of Architecture ($63,468.00 vs. $49,490.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Southern California Institute of Architecture than USC ($19,041 vs. $36,808)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southern California Institute of Architecture are 29.7% lower than costs at University of Southern California ($13,440 vs. $17,436)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at University of Southern California than Southern California Institute of Architecture (71% vs. 30%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 4.4% larger than aid received Southern California Institute of Architecture ($45,262 vs. $43,364)

SCI-Arc vs. USC Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, SCI-Arc or USC? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between USC or SCI-Arc .

  • The average SAT score at University of Southern California (1391) is 275 points higher than at SCI-Arc (1116)
  • Incoming USC students have a 5 point higher average ACT score (32) than students at SCI-Arc (27)
  • Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.33 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at SCI-Arc (3.5)
  • SCI-Arc has a higher acceptance rate (59.8%) than USC (12%)

SCI-Arc vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, SCI-Arc or USC? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between USC and SCI-Arc.

  • The graduation rate at USC is higher than Southern California Institute of Architecture (90% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from University of Southern California earn on average $39,100 more per year than SCI-Arc graduates after ten years. ($85,500 vs. $46,400)
  • University of Southern California students graduate with a $20,375 lower median federal student loan debt than SCI-Arc graduates. ($22,375 vs. $42,750)
  • USC graduates are paying $211 less per month on federal student loans than SCI-Arc graduates. ($231 vs. $442)
  • More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former SCI-Arc students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 62%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/