USC vs. Emory

Deciding between University of Southern California and Emory University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

University of Southern California
Emory University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • USC Los Angeles, CA
  • Emory Atlanta, GA
  • Setting
  • USC Large City
  • Emory Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • USC 46,566
  • Emory 15,175
  • Type
  • USC Private 4 Year
  • Emory Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • USC #37
  • Emory #28
  • Religious Affiliation
  • USC -
  • Emory United Methodist
  • Status
  • USC Non-profit
  • Emory Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • USC
  • Emory

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • USC $72,097
  • Emory $64,280
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • USC $72,097
  • Emory $64,280
  • Room & Board
  • USC $19,931
  • Emory $20,220
  • Average Net Price
  • USC $43,412
  • Emory $27,303
  • Average Grant Aid
  • USC $46,897
  • Emory $56,319
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • USC 70%
  • Emory 47%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • USC 82,027
  • Emory 33,450
  • Admitted
  • USC 8,050
  • Emory 3,562
  • Acceptance Rate
  • USC 9.8%
  • Emory 10.6%
  • Enrolled
  • USC 43.3%
  • Emory 40.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • USC 1500
  • Emory 1510
  • Typical ACT score
  • USC 33
  • Emory 33
  • Average High School GPA
  • USC 3.83
  • Emory 3.8
  • Typical High School Grades
  • USC A-
  • Emory A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • USC Elite
  • Emory Elite
  • Applicant Competition
  • USC Very High
  • Emory Very High
  • ACT Range
  • USC 32/35
  • Emory 32/35
  • SAT Range
  • USC 1450/1550
  • Emory 1470/1550
  • Submit Test Scores
  • USC Test optional
  • Emory Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • USC
  • Emory Jan 1, 2027

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • USC 9:1
  • Emory 10:1
  • Popular Majors
  • USC
    • Business (25%)
    • Social Sciences (15%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Engineering (8%)
  • Emory
    • Social Sciences (23%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (17%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Biology (11%)
    • Psychology (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • USC 90%
  • Emory 90%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • USC $85,500
  • Emory $81,500
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • USC 81%
  • Emory 80%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • USC $22,375
  • Emory $17,233
  • Median Loan Payment
  • USC $231
  • Emory $178

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • USC 47%
  • Emory 39%
  • % Women
  • USC 53%
  • Emory 61%
  • Racial Diversity
  • USC Very High
  • Emory Very High
  • HBCU
  • USC No
  • Emory No
  • % White
  • USC 40%
  • Emory 41%
  • % Asian
  • USC 22%
  • Emory 19%
  • % Black
  • USC 4%
  • Emory 9%
  • % Hispanic
  • USC 14%
  • Emory 8%
  • % Native American
  • USC 0%
  • Emory 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • USC 0%
  • Emory 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • USC 5%
  • Emory 3%
  • % International
  • USC 13%
  • Emory 17%
  • % Unknown Race
  • USC 1%
  • Emory 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • USC 42%
  • Emory 15%
  • % Out-of-State
  • USC 39%
  • Emory 64%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • USC Yes
  • Emory Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • USC No
  • Emory No
  • Meal Plan
  • USC Yes
  • Emory Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • USC No
  • Emory Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • USC Yes
  • Emory Yes

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Emory based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 15,175 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Emory University is in Atlanta, GA (Large Suburban setting).
  • University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emory University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; Emory University 10:1.

USC vs. Emory Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or Emory? 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 Emory University than USC ($27,303 vs. $43,412).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 1.4% lower than at Emory University ($19,931 vs. $20,220).
  • University of Southern California is 12.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emory (about $7,817 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $64,280.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 12.2% higher at USC than at Emory University (about $7,817 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $64,280.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Emory University (70% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emory University students is 20.1% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($56,319 vs. $46,897).

USC vs. Emory Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, USC or Emory? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Emory and USC.

  • The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at Emory University (1510) is 10 points higher than at USC (1500).
  • Incoming USC students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 33) as students at Emory (33).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Southern California 1450/1550; Emory University 1470/1550.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Southern California 32/35; Emory University 32/35.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; Emory - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emory Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled freshman USC students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Emory (3.8).
  • Emory has a higher acceptance rate (10.6%) than USC (9.8%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 40.4% at Emory.

USC vs. Emory Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and Emory? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

  • The graduation rate at USC is the same as at Emory University (90% vs. 90%).
  • Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $4,000 more per year than Emory graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $81,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emory University graduates have a $5,142 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($17,233 vs. $22,375).
  • Among borrowers, Emory graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($178 vs. $231).
  • More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emory students, three years after graduation. (81% vs. 80%)

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.