Los Angeles, CA · Private University
Is USC Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$92,498
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$68,237
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$68,237
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$272,948
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.36x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
92.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$18,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$31,927
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
University of Southern California graduates earn $47,498 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at University of Southern California ranked by graduate earnings
123 graduates
16 graduates
33 graduates
29 graduates
18 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at University of Southern California
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At University of Southern California, the gap between the highest-earning major (Real Estate: $145,650) and the lowest (Music: $24,763) is $120,887/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Real EstateBest ROI | $145,650 | 2.1x |
| Computer Science | $143,152 | 2.1x |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $134,326 | 2.0x |
| Industrial Engineering | $114,688 | 1.7x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $113,850 | 1.7x |
| Civil Engineering | $106,533 | 1.6x |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $104,579 | 1.5x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $97,304 | 1.4x |
| Philosophy | $95,023 | 1.4x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $93,001 | 1.4x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $90,072 | 1.3x |
| Chemical Engineering | $89,986 | 1.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $87,767 | 1.3x |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $77,360 | 1.1x |
| Economics | $76,486 | 1.1x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $73,645 | 1.1x |
| Engineering-Related Fields(1yr data) | $73,234 | 1.1x |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $72,935 | 1.1x |
| Applied Mathematics | $72,484 | 1.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $70,999 | 1.0x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $63,317 | 0.9x |
| Public Health | $62,308 | 0.9x |
| Human Biology | $60,367 | 0.9x |
| History | $59,624 | 0.9x |
| Journalism | $59,071 | 0.9x |
| Political Science and Government | $58,794 | 0.9x |
| Sociology | $57,043 | 0.8x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $56,391 | 0.8x |
| Psychology, General | $55,156 | 0.8x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $53,102 | 0.8x |
| Public Policy Analysis(1yr data) | $52,403 | 0.8x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $51,556 | 0.8x |
| Biology, General | $51,077 | 0.8x |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $50,044 | 0.7x |
| Real Estate Development(1yr data) | $49,353 | 0.7x |
| Social Sciences, General | $48,240 | 0.7x |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $48,046 | 0.7x |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology(1yr data) | $47,874 | 0.7x |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $47,858 | 0.7x |
| Cognitive Science(1yr data) | $34,295 | 0.5x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $27,139 | 0.4x |
| Dance(1yr data) | $25,653 | 0.4x |
| MusicLowest | $24,763 | 0.4x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | 1.36x | $92,498 | Average ROI |
| Stanford University | 1.99x | $124,080 | Good ROI |
| Pomona College | 1.25x | $77,779 | Average ROI |
| Claremont McKenna College | 1.63x | $104,736 | Good ROI |
| Washington University in St Louis | 1.37x | $86,182 | Average ROI |
| Vanderbilt University | 1.43x | $91,565 | Average ROI |
The Bottom Line
University of Southern California delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $92,498 10 years after starting — $47,498 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.7 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.