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College Comparison

NYU vs USC: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

NYU

New York, NY

School

USC

Los Angeles, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricNYUUSC
Acceptance Rate9.4%wins10.0%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1480–1570wins1440–1550
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35wins32–35
Tuition (Out-of-State)$60,438wins$68,237
Avg Net Price$35,035$31,927wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$82,509$92,498wins
Graduation Rate88.5%92.0%wins
Retention Rate95.5%96.5%wins
Student–Faculty Ratio8:1wins9:1
Total Enrollment29,430wins20,817

Verdict

Based on the data above, NYU edges out USC on 6 of 10 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

NYU Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 9.4%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1480–1570
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–35
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $60,438

USC Strengths

  • Avg Net Price: $31,927
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $92,498
  • Graduation Rate: 92.0%
  • Retention Rate: 96.5%

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