UC Berkeley vs. USC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Berkeley in Berkeley, 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 UC Berkeley based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 45,882 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

UC Berkeley vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley 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 California Berkeley than USC ($16,538 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 16.1% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($19,931 vs. $23,750).
• University of Southern California is 341% more expensive for in-state tuition than UC Berkeley (about $55,750 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $16,347.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.6% higher at USC than at University of California Berkeley (about $21,550 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $50,547.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at University of California Berkeley (70% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 58.4% larger than aid received by University of California Berkeley students ($46,897 vs. $29,608).

UC Berkeley vs. USC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Berkeley 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 UC Berkeley.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 80 points higher than at UC Berkeley (1420).
• Incoming USC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at UC Berkeley).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.04 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at USC (3.83).
• UC Berkeley has a higher acceptance rate (11%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 43.3% at USC.

UC Berkeley vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley 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).

• The graduation rate at UC Berkeley is the same as at University of Southern California (90% vs. 90%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $10,800 more per year than UC Berkeley graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $74,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $8,175 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($14,200 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $85 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($146 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UC Berkeley students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 79%)

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.