University of Southern California (USC) vs University of Miami
Nestled on the sunny shores of California and Florida, the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Miami (UM) stand as two prominent beacons of higher education. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and offer a diverse range of programs, they also possess distinct characteristics that set them apart. USC boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process, while UM offers a more accessible pathway for aspiring students. In terms of popular majors, USC excels in fields like film and television production, music, and engineering, while UM shines in marine science, business, and nursing. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve into further details about these universities, including student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() University of Miami |
![]() University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Coral Gables, Florida | Los Angeles, California |
Campus setting | City: Small | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 93.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 28.5% | 12.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$85
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$90
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SAT range | 1300 - 1460 | 1410 - 1540 |
ACT range | 30 - 33 | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 31.0% | 31.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 24.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 42,245 | 71,031 |
Total number of admissions given out | 12,037 | 8,884 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 2,766 | 3,668 |
Yield rate | 23.0% | 41.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $79,410 | $81,659 |
Average net price | $34,492 | $26,021 |
Tuition | $53,112 | $60,446 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,180
Meal plan:
$6,800
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Room/dormitory:
$10,098
Meal plan:
$6,634
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
71.0%
Average amount $35,012 |
72.0%
Average amount $40,690 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
30.0%
Average amount $3,991 |
22.0%
Average amount $4,215 |
Students taking out private loans |
5.0%
Average amount $28,087 |
2.0%
Average amount $29,056 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
12,089
Men 46.5% Women 53.5% |
20,790
Men 48.5% Women 51.5% |
Graduate students |
7,007
Men 44.4% Women 55.6% |
28,528
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 71.6% | 49.9% |
International students | 13.4% | 23.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,307 | 8,700 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Florida New York New Jersey Pennsylvania Maryland | California Texas New York Illinois Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 13:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 83.5% | 92.0% |
Dropout rate | 15.8% | 7.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
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Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Marketing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Legal Professions and Studies, Other (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Real Estate Development (Master's Degrees)
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