USC vs. Westmont College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Southern California is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 1,310 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

USC vs. Westmont College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, USC or Westmont College? 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 Westmont College than USC ($32,172 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 14.9% lower than at University of Southern California ($16,960 vs. $19,931).
• University of Southern California is 34.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Westmont College (about $18,513 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 34.5% higher at USC than at Westmont College (about $18,513 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $53,584.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at University of Southern California (100% vs. 70%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 20.4% larger than aid received by Westmont College students ($46,897 vs. $38,956).

USC vs. Westmont College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 150 points higher than at Westmont College (1350).
• Incoming USC students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 vs. 28 at Westmont College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 1450/1550; Westmont College 1240/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Southern California 32/35; Westmont College 25/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: USC - Test optional; Westmont College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at Westmont College (3.59).
• Westmont College has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 43.3% at USC vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

USC vs. Westmont College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for USC and Westmont College? 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 Westmont College's (77%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $30,900 more per year than Westmont College graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $54,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Southern California graduates have a $2,748 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($22,375 vs. $25,123).
• Among borrowers, USC graduates have an estimated $28 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($231 vs. $259).
• More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USC students, three years after graduation. (86% 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.