USC vs. Columbia

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA with Columbia University in the City of New York in New York, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern California is larger than Columbia based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 35,173 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
• University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

USC vs. Columbia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or Columbia? 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 Columbia University in the City of New York than USC ($22,520 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 11.8% lower than at University of Southern California ($17,580 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 0.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Columbia (about $252 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $71,845.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 0.4% higher at USC than at Columbia University in the City of New York (about $252 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $71,845.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Columbia University in the City of New York (70% vs. 52%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 42.9% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($67,010 vs. $46,897).

USC vs. Columbia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC or Columbia? 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 Columbia and USC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Columbia University in the City of New York (1550) is 50 points higher than at USC (1500).
• Incoming Columbia students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at USC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; Columbia University in the City of New York 1510/1580.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; Columbia University in the City of New York 34/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; Columbia - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Columbia students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.91) than students at USC (3.83).
• USC has a higher acceptance rate (9.8%) than Columbia (4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

USC vs. Columbia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and Columbia? 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).

• Columbia University in the City of New York's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of Southern California's (90%).
• Graduates from Columbia University in the City of New York earn a median of about $22,100 more per year than USC graduates about ten years after starting college ($107,600 vs. $85,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $875 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $9 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($222 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 76%)

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.