Skip to content

College Comparison

USC vs University of Denver: Which is Better?

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

School

USC

Los Angeles, CA

School

University of Denver

Denver, CO

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUSCUniversity of Denver
Acceptance Rate10.0%wins71.2%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1440–1550wins1240–1410
ACT Range (25th–75th)32–35wins29–32
Tuition (Out-of-State)$68,237$59,340wins
Avg Net Price$31,927wins$36,037
Median Earnings (10 yr)$92,498wins$71,155
Graduation Rate92.0%wins78.0%
Retention Rate96.5%wins87.7%
Student–Faculty Ratio9:1wins10:1
Total Enrollment20,817wins6,059

Verdict

Based on the data above, USC edges out University of Denver on 9 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.

USC Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 10.0%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1440–1550
  • ACT Range (25th–75th): 32–35
  • Avg Net Price: $31,927

University of Denver Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $59,340

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons