University of Southern California (USC) vs UC Davis

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two prestigious universities: the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of California-Davis (UC Davis). While both institutions offer world-class education, they possess distinct characteristics that may influence your academic journey. USC, nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, boasts a vibrant urban campus and a highly selective admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 11%. UC Davis, situated in the charming college town of Davis, offers a more relaxed atmosphere and a slightly higher acceptance rate of 41%. Explore the comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including popular majors, student body demographics, graduation rates, and more. Discover which institution aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, embarking on a path toward success at either USC or UC Davis.

	University of California-Davis	University of Southern California
Overview
Location	Davis, California	Los Angeles, California
Campus setting	Suburb: Small	City: Large
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Public	Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system	Quarter	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	91.0%	96.0%
Common app member	No	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	48.8%	12.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $70 Graduate: $120	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $90
SAT range	N/A	1410 - 1540
ACT range	N/A	32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score		31.0%
Students submitting ACT score		19.0%
Total number of applicants	87,120	71,031
Total number of admissions given out	42,475	8,884
Admitted students who chose to enroll	7,482	3,668
Yield rate	17.6%	41.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Not required	Required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	In state: $32,584 Out of state: $62,338	$81,659
Average net price	$16,640	$26,021
Tuition	In state: $11,442 Out of state: $41,196	$60,446
Room & board	$17,018	Room/dormitory: $10,098 Meal plan: $6,634
Available payment plans	Tuition payment plan	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	59.0% Average amount $17,628	72.0% Average amount $40,690
Students receiving federal student loan	23.0% Average amount $4,043	22.0% Average amount $4,215
Students taking out private loans	11.0% Average amount $3,360	2.0% Average amount $29,056

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	31,657 Men 39.8% Women 60.2%	20,790 Men 48.5% Women 51.5%
Graduate students	8,393 Men 43.8% Women 56.2%	28,528 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Moderate
Out-of-state students	7.5%	49.9%
International students	17.0%	23.8%
Campus local/setting	Suburb: Small	City: Large
Dormitory capacity	11,142	8,700
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Washington Illinois Texas Hawaii	California Texas New York Illinois Florida

Academics
Popular study areas	Biological and Biomedical Sciences Business Agriculture Engineering Family and Consumer Sciences	Business Health Professions Engineering Computer and Information Science Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio	21:1	9:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome
Graduation rate	86.9%	92.0%
Dropout rate	11.8%	7.2%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $121,903 Year 2: $135,393 Year 3: $137,917 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $127,500 Year 2: $125,015 Year 3: $135,009 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $106,299 Year 2: $116,258 Year 3: $127,335 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $76,488 Year 2: $81,609 Year 3: $103,694 Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $80,669 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $100,961 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $112,976 Year 2: $98,186 Year 3: $99,585 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $81,487 Year 2: $82,440 Year 3: $98,364 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: N/A Year 2: $87,604 Year 3: $94,032 Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $74,487 Year 2: $70,370 Year 3: $89,594 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $73,514 Year 2: $74,262 Year 3: $87,586	Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $104,166 Year 2: $187,234 Year 3: $221,418 Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $167,228 Year 2: $163,225 Year 3: $161,094 Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $106,344 Year 2: $126,683 Year 3: $148,434 Marketing (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $113,473 Year 2: $117,572 Year 3: $147,381 Computer Science (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $110,796 Year 2: $116,083 Year 3: $146,357 Legal Professions and Studies, Other (Graduate/Professional Certificates) Year 1: $79,420 Year 2: $88,198 Year 3: $140,330 Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $127,841 Year 2: $131,090 Year 3: $140,129 Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $135,775 Year 2: $135,393 Year 3: $136,848 Law (First Professional Degrees) Year 1: $121,676 Year 2: $101,072 Year 3: $134,632 Real Estate Development (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $119,991 Year 2: $122,038 Year 3: $125,784

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between USC and UC Davis?

USC is a private research university located in the heart of Los Angeles, offering a vibrant urban experience and strong programs in film, communication, and business. UC Davis is a public research university situated in a more relaxed college town environment near Sacramento, renowned for its agricultural sciences, veterinary medicine, and environmental studies. USC tends to have a higher tuition cost, while UC Davis offers a more affordable option, especially for California residents. USC's student body is more diverse geographically, while UC Davis draws a larger proportion of its students from within California.
Which university is better for students interested in film and media?

USC is widely considered to be the superior choice for students pursuing film and media studies. The USC School of Cinematic Arts is highly ranked and offers unparalleled access to industry professionals, state-of-the-art facilities, and internship opportunities in Hollywood. While UC Davis offers film studies programs, they are not as comprehensive or industry-focused as those at USC.
Which university is stronger in agricultural sciences and veterinary medicine?

UC Davis is the clear leader in agricultural sciences and veterinary medicine. Its College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and School of Veterinary Medicine are consistently ranked among the best in the world. UC Davis offers extensive research opportunities, specialized programs, and a strong connection to the agricultural industry in California. USC does not have comparable programs in these fields.
How do the campus environments compare?

USC offers a dynamic urban campus experience in Los Angeles, surrounded by cultural attractions, entertainment venues, and career opportunities. The campus is lively and bustling, with a strong sense of school spirit. UC Davis provides a more traditional college town atmosphere, with a sprawling campus, green spaces, and a focus on community. The pace of life is generally more relaxed in Davis compared to Los Angeles.
What are the tuition and financial aid options like at USC and UC Davis?

USC's tuition is significantly higher than UC Davis's, reflecting its private university status. However, USC also offers generous financial aid packages, including merit-based scholarships and need-based grants. UC Davis, as a public university, has lower tuition, especially for California residents. Financial aid is also available at UC Davis, with a focus on supporting students from diverse backgrounds. It's important to compare the net cost (tuition minus financial aid) at both institutions to determine the most affordable option for your specific circumstances.
Which university has a more diverse student body?

While both universities value diversity, USC generally has a more geographically diverse student body, drawing students from across the United States and around the world. UC Davis also has a diverse student population, with a strong representation of students from California and a growing international presence. Both universities are committed to creating inclusive and welcoming environments for students from all backgrounds.
How do the research opportunities compare at USC and UC Davis?

Both USC and UC Davis are major research universities, offering a wide range of research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. USC has strong research programs in areas such as engineering, medicine, and communication, while UC Davis excels in agricultural sciences, environmental studies, and veterinary medicine. The best choice depends on your specific research interests and the faculty expertise available at each institution.
What is the student life like at USC versus UC Davis?

USC's student life is characterized by a strong sense of school spirit, a vibrant Greek life, and a wide range of clubs and organizations. The university's location in Los Angeles provides access to numerous cultural and entertainment opportunities. UC Davis offers a more laid-back student life, with a focus on outdoor activities, community involvement, and academic pursuits. The campus has a strong sense of community, and students often participate in intramural sports, student government, and volunteer organizations.
Which university is better for pre-med students?

Both USC and UC Davis offer strong pre-med programs, providing students with the necessary coursework, research opportunities, and advising to prepare for medical school. USC has the Keck School of Medicine, which offers research and clinical opportunities. UC Davis has a highly regarded medical school and a strong emphasis on health sciences research. The best choice depends on your specific interests within medicine and the research opportunities that align with your goals.
How do the career services and alumni networks compare?

Both USC and UC Davis have robust career services departments that provide students with resources for internships, job searching, and career development. USC's location in Los Angeles provides access to a wide range of internship and job opportunities in various industries. UC Davis's proximity to Sacramento and the Bay Area offers opportunities in government, technology, and agriculture. Both universities have strong alumni networks that can provide valuable connections and mentorship opportunities.

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