College Comparison
USC vs WashU (St. Louis): 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
WashU (St. Louis)
St. Louis, MO
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | USC | WashU |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 10.0%wins | 12.0% |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1440–1550 | 1500–1570wins |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 32–35 | 33–35wins |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $68,237 | $62,982wins |
| Avg Net Price | $31,927 | $22,117wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $92,498wins | $86,182 |
| Graduation Rate | 92.0% | 94.5%wins |
| Retention Rate | 96.5%wins | 95.9% |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 9:1 | 7:1wins |
| Total Enrollment | 20,817wins | 7,897 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, WashU 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.
USC Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 10.0%
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $92,498
- ✓Retention Rate: 96.5%
- ✓Total Enrollment: 20,817
WashU Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
- ✓ACT Range (25th–75th): 33–35
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $62,982
- ✓Avg Net Price: $22,117
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