UCLA vs. USC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Los Angeles in Los Angeles, 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 California Los Angeles is larger than USC based on total student enrollment (47,335 students vs. 46,566 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Los Angeles 20:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

UCLA vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCLA 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 California Los Angeles than USC ($14,512 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Los Angeles are 7.8% lower than at University of Southern California ($18,369 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 374.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCLA (about $56,894 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $15,203.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45.9% higher at USC than at University of California Los Angeles (about $22,694 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $49,403.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at University of California Los Angeles (70% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 83% larger than aid received by University of California Los Angeles students ($46,897 vs. $25,627).

UCLA vs. USC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCLA 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 UCLA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 80 points higher than at UCLA (1420).
• Incoming USC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at UCLA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 1300/1530; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Los Angeles 29/35; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCLA - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCLA Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCLA students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at USC (3.83).
• USC has a higher acceptance rate (9.8%) than UCLA (9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 50.4% at UCLA vs. 43.3% at USC.

UCLA vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCLA 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).

• The graduation rate at UCLA is the same as at University of Southern California (90% vs. 90%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $14,800 more per year than UCLA graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $70,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Los Angeles graduates have a $6,075 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($16,300 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, UCLA graduates have an estimated $63 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($168 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UCLA students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 78%)

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.