UCSD vs. USC

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 UCSD based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 44,256 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

UCSD vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 San Diego than USC ($14,047 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 4.8% lower than at University of Southern California ($18,970 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 330.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than UCSD (about $55,339 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $16,758.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.5% higher at USC than at University of California San Diego (about $21,139 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $50,958.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at University of California San Diego (70% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 82.1% larger than aid received by University of California San Diego students ($46,897 vs. $25,757).

UCSD vs. USC Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 120 points higher than at UCSD (1380).
• Incoming USC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 31 at UCSD).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; University of Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at UCSD (3.82).
• UCSD has a higher acceptance rate (26.7%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 43.3% at USC.

UCSD vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 California San Diego's (85%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $17,600 more per year than UCSD graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $67,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California San Diego graduates have a $3,875 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($18,500 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, UCSD graduates have an estimated $40 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($191 vs. $231).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.