University of Southern California (USC) vs University of San Francisco
Envision yourself pursuing higher education in the vibrant cities of Los Angeles or San Francisco. The University of Southern California (USC) and the University of San Francisco (USF) stand out as two prominent institutions offering distinct academic experiences. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence, they differ in several key aspects. USC boasts a lower acceptance rate, indicating its highly selective admissions process, while USF offers a more accessible route to higher education. Explore the comparison table to delve into further details, such as popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for a transformative educational journey.
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![]() University of San Francisco |
![]() University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | San Francisco, California | Los Angeles, California |
Campus setting | City: Large | 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 | 86.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | Catholic | |
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 70.9% | 12.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$55
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$90
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SAT range | 1190 - 1390 | 1410 - 1540 |
ACT range | 26 - 31 | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 17.0% | 31.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 22,372 | 71,031 |
Total number of admissions given out | 15,867 | 8,884 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,452 | 3,668 |
Yield rate | 9.2% | 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 |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $75,232 | $81,659 |
Average net price | $39,825 | $26,021 |
Tuition | $52,920 | $60,446 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$11,030
Meal plan:
$5,110
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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) |
92.0%
Average amount $31,112 |
72.0%
Average amount $40,690 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
47.0%
Average amount $5,182 |
22.0%
Average amount $4,215 |
Students taking out private loans |
6.0%
Average amount $23,306 |
2.0%
Average amount $29,056 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
5,969
Men 35.6% Women 64.4% |
20,790
Men 48.5% Women 51.5% |
Graduate students |
4,065
Men 34.0% Women 66.0% |
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 | 35.6% | 49.9% |
International students | 12.9% | 23.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Large | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 2,800 | 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 Oregon Texas Hawaii | 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 | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 75.6% | 92.0% |
Dropout rate | 7.8% | 7.2% |
Transferred out | 16.4% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Doctoral Degrees)
Human Resources Management and Services (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration (Master's Degrees)
Law (Doctoral Degrees)
Economics (Master's 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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