USC vs. WUSTL

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than WUSTL based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 16,357 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Washington University in St Louis is in St. Louis, MO (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Washington University in St Louis is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; Washington University in St Louis 7:1.

USC vs. WUSTL Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or WUSTL ? 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 Washington University in St Louis than USC ($22,408 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 8.8% lower than at Washington University in St Louis ($19,931 vs. $21,854).
• University of Southern California is 9.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than WUSTL (about $6,307 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 9.6% higher at USC than at Washington University in St Louis (about $6,307 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $65,790.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Washington University in St Louis (70% vs. 49%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Washington University in St Louis students is 40.9% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($66,080 vs. $46,897).

USC vs. WUSTL Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Washington University in St Louis (1540) is 40 points higher than at USC (1500).
• Incoming WUSTL 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; Washington University in St Louis 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; Washington University in St Louis 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; WUSTL - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: WUSTL Jan 4, 2027.
• Accepted freshman WUSTL students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at USC (3.83).
• WUSTL has a higher acceptance rate (12.1%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 46.7% at WUSTL .

USC vs. WUSTL Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and WUSTL ? 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).

• Washington University in St Louis's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than University of Southern California's (90%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than WUSTL graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $82,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Washington University in St Louis graduates have a $2,475 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($19,900 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, WUSTL graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($205 vs. $231).
• More WUSTL graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (88% 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.