USF vs. USC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of San Francisco in San Francisco, 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 USF based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 8,913 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of San Francisco is located in San Francisco, CA (Large City setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of San Francisco is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of San Francisco 11:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

USF vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USF 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 USF ($43,412 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 0.8% lower than at University of Southern California ($19,764 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF (about $11,605 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at USC than at University of San Francisco (about $11,605 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $60,492.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at University of Southern California (95% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 35.1% larger than aid received by University of San Francisco students ($46,897 vs. $34,723).

USF vs. USC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USF 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 USF.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 210 points higher than at USF (1290).
• Incoming USC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at USF).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 1190/1390; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of San Francisco 25/30; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USF - Test optional; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 6% at USF vs. 43.3% at USC.

USF vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USF 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 University of San Francisco's (70%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $15,100 more per year than USF graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $70,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern California graduates have a $2,625 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($22,375 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, USC graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($231 vs. $258).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 73%)

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.