Academic Comparison between CU Boulder and USC

University of Colorado Boulder and University of Southern California are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. CU Boulder is a four-year, public school located in Boulder, CO and USC is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Los Angeles, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • CU Boulder is a public and USC is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • USC has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,237) than CU Boulder ($41,943).
  • It is harder to admit to USC than CU Boulder.
  • USC has a higher submitted SAT score (1,330) than CU Boulder (1,330).
  • USC has higher submitted ACT score (31) than CU Boulder (31).
  • USC has more students with 48,945 students while CU Boulder has 39,585 students.
  • USC has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while CU Boulder's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • USC has more full-time faculties with 2,403 faculties while CU Boulder has 1,711 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of Colorado Bouldervs.University of Southern California
Boulder, ColoradoLocationLos Angeles, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$15,556
Out-Of-State$41,943
2024 Tuition & Fees$68,237
56%% Receiving Financial Aid68%
$11,017Average Amount of Financial Aid$43,570
83.00 %Acceptance Rates10.00 %
16.00 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)44.99 %
1,330SAT Score1,510
31ACT Score33
74 %Graduation Rate92 %
15 %Transfer-out Rate-
88 %Retention Rate97 %
39,585Student Population48,945
1,711Number of Faculties2,403
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
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