Academic Comparison between USC and UCLA

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

  • USC is a private (not-for-profit) and UCLA is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • USC has more expensive tuition & fees ($68,237) than UCLA ($44,524).
  • It is harder to admit to UCLA than USC.
  • USC has more students with 48,945 students while UCLA has 46,430 students.
  • USC has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while UCLA's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • UCLA has more full-time faculties with 4,153 faculties while USC has 2,403 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
USC UCLA
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of Southern Californiavs.University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CaliforniaLocationLos Angeles, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
$68,2372024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$13,747
Out-Of-State$44,524
68%% Receiving Financial Aid55%
$43,570Average Amount of Financial Aid$21,322
10.02 %Acceptance Rates8.73 %
44.89 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)51.70 %
1,510SAT Score-
33ACT Score-
92 %Graduation Rate92 %
-Transfer-out Rate3 %
97 %Retention Rate97 %
48,945Student Population46,430
2,403Number of Faculties4,153
9 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio18 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study AbroadSpecial 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
More Rivals