USC vs. Tulane

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA with Tulane University of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern California is larger than Tulane based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 13,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Tulane University of Louisiana is in New Orleans, LA (Large City setting).
• University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Tulane University of Louisiana is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; Tulane University of Louisiana 7:1.

USC vs. Tulane Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or Tulane? 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 Tulane ($43,412 vs. $47,427).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Tulane University of Louisiana are 5.3% lower than at University of Southern California ($18,868 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Tulane (about $3,419 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $68,678.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5% higher at USC than at Tulane University of Louisiana (about $3,419 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $68,678.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Tulane University of Louisiana (70% vs. 60%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 18.3% larger than aid received by Tulane University of Louisiana students ($46,897 vs. $39,654).

USC vs. Tulane Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 40 points higher than at Tulane (1460).
• Incoming USC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at Tulane).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; Tulane University of Louisiana 1400/1520.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; Tulane University of Louisiana 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; Tulane - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Tulane Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Tulane (3.64).
• Tulane has a higher acceptance rate (14%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 40.3% at Tulane.

USC vs. Tulane Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and Tulane? 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).

• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $11,300 more per year than Tulane graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $74,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern California graduates have a $5,154 lower median loan debt than Tulane graduates ($22,375 vs. $27,529).
• Among borrowers, USC graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Tulane graduates ($231 vs. $284).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Tulane students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 62%)

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.