USC vs. Northwestern

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than Northwestern based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 23,856 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); Northwestern University is in Evanston, IL (Small City setting).
• University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Northwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Southern California 9:1; Northwestern University 6:1.

USC vs. Northwestern Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or Northwestern? 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 Northwestern University than USC ($26,830 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 5.7% lower than at Northwestern University ($19,931 vs. $21,126).
• University of Southern California is 5.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Northwestern (about $3,775 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.5% higher at USC than at Northwestern University (about $3,775 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $68,322.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at Northwestern University (70% vs. 53%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Northwestern University students is 37.4% larger than aid received by University of Southern California students ($64,429 vs. $46,897).

USC vs. Northwestern Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Northwestern University (1540) is 40 points higher than at USC (1500).
• Incoming Northwestern students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 33 at USC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; Northwestern University 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; Northwestern University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; Northwestern - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Northwestern Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Northwestern students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at USC (3.83).
• USC has a higher acceptance rate (9.8%) than Northwestern (7.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 55.3% at Northwestern.

USC vs. Northwestern Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and Northwestern? 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).

• Northwestern University's six-year graduation rate (94%) is higher than University of Southern California's (90%).
• Graduates from Northwestern University earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than USC graduates about ten years after starting college ($89,800 vs. $85,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Northwestern University graduates have a $2,997 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($19,378 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, Northwestern graduates have an estimated $31 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($200 vs. $231).
• More Northwestern graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (87% 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.