USC vs. Reed

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA with Reed College in Portland, OR on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern California is larger than Reed based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 1,358 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USC vs. Reed Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or Reed? 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 Reed College than USC ($30,953 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Reed College are 11.4% lower than at University of Southern California ($17,660 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Reed (about $2,747 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $69,350.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 4% higher at USC than at Reed College (about $2,747 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $69,350.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Reed College (70% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Reed College students is 18.2% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($55,445 vs. $46,897).

USC vs. Reed Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 90 points higher than at Reed (1410).
• Incoming USC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Reed).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; Reed College 1290/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; Reed College 30/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; Reed - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Reed students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at USC (3.83).
• Reed has a higher acceptance rate (24.6%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 13.1% at Reed.

USC vs. Reed Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and Reed? 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 Reed College's (80%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $38,300 more per year than Reed graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $47,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Reed College graduates have a $6,375 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($16,000 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Reed graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($165 vs. $231).
• More Reed graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.