USC vs. Georgetown

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Georgetown based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 20,031 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USC vs. Georgetown Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or Georgetown? 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 Georgetown University than USC ($39,083 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 3.2% lower than at Georgetown University ($19,931 vs. $20,596).
• University of Southern California is 6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Georgetown (about $4,080 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $68,017.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6% higher at USC than at Georgetown University (about $4,080 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $68,017.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Georgetown University (70% vs. 33%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Georgetown University students is 5.9% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($49,658 vs. $46,897).

USC vs. Georgetown Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 30 points higher than at Georgetown (1470).
• Incoming USC students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 33) as students at Georgetown (33).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; Georgetown University 1390/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; Georgetown University 31/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; Georgetown - Required.
• Accepted freshman Georgetown students have a 0.06 point higher average high school GPA (3.89) than students at USC (3.83).
• Georgetown has a higher acceptance rate (12.9%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 46.7% at Georgetown.

USC vs. Georgetown Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and Georgetown? 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).

• Georgetown University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Southern California's (90%).
• Graduates from Georgetown University earn a median of about $33,400 more per year than USC graduates about ten years after starting college ($118,900 vs. $85,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Georgetown University graduates have a $6,875 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($15,500 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Georgetown graduates have an estimated $71 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($160 vs. $231).
• More Georgetown graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.