UOP vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than UOP based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 6,944 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of the Pacific is located in Stockton, CA (Large City setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of the Pacific is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of the Pacific 13:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

UOP vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UOP or USC? 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 the Pacific than USC ($31,670 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of the Pacific are 13.8% lower than at University of Southern California ($17,190 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 26.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than UOP (about $15,017 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $57,080.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at USC than at University of the Pacific (about $15,017 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $57,080.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of the Pacific than at University of Southern California (98% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 14.1% larger than aid received by University of the Pacific students ($46,897 vs. $41,111).

UOP vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 170 points higher than at UOP (1330).
• Incoming USC students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 27 at UOP).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Pacific 1183/1480; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of the Pacific 23/32; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UOP - Test optional; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UOP Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UOP (3.58).
• UOP has a higher acceptance rate (71.3%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.8% at UOP vs. 43.3% at USC.

UOP vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UOP and USC? 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 University of the Pacific's (69%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than UOP graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $81,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern California graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than UOP graduates ($22,375 vs. $24,625).
• Among borrowers, USC graduates have an estimated $23 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UOP graduates ($231 vs. $254).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UOP students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 70%)

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.