USC vs. George Washington

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than George Washington based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 25,374 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USC vs. George Washington Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or George Washington? 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 Southern California than George Washington ($43,412 vs. $46,485).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at George Washington University are 15.1% lower than at University of Southern California ($16,920 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 6.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than George Washington (about $4,387 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 6.5% higher at USC than at George Washington University (about $4,387 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $67,710.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at George Washington University than at University of Southern California (78% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 25.1% larger than aid received by George Washington University students ($46,897 vs. $37,500).

USC vs. George Washington Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 70 points higher than at George Washington (1430).
• Incoming USC students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 32 at George Washington).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; George Washington University 1350/1500.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; George Washington University 31/34.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; George Washington - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: George Washington Jan 5, 2027.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.02 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at George Washington (3.81).
• George Washington has a higher acceptance rate (47.1%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 19.3% at George Washington.

USC vs. George Washington Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and George Washington? 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 George Washington University's (81%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $5,000 more per year than George Washington graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $80,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern California graduates have a $2,587 lower median loan debt than George Washington graduates ($22,375 vs. $24,962).
• Among borrowers, USC graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than George Washington graduates ($231 vs. $258).
• More George Washington 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.