Whether it’s a sports competition, a community outreach organization, or a rigorous academic program, the USC vs UCLA rivalry is one for the books. Although we’ll be abstaining from weighing in on some of the cross-town sports rivalry (though we will offer some detail on their sports programs), we’re here to help you understand the difference between which university is ‘better’ and how to decide where to apply and eventually commit to.
So, when you ask us, ‘Which school is better, UCLA vs USC?’ you might be a little confused when we tell you that it really depends. There are tons of factors that play into school choice such as the cost of tuition, location, and strength or availability of academic programs. We’ll break down some attributes of USC and UCLA for you in the sections below.
Let’s jump right into it!
What are the biggest differences between USC and UCLA?
Well, the most obvious difference between USC and UCLA is that USC is a private school, while UCLA is public (as part of the UC system). Private and public universities each have their own pros and cons: it all depends on what you are looking for out of your college experience. There are a few factors to consider—tuition, need-based financial aid, and the application system—when deciding between a private and public college such as USC and UCLA.
The tuition at USC and UCLA differs by tens of thousands of dollars. The estimated cost of tuition at USC is around $63,500, while the cost of tuition at UCLA in-state and out-of-state is $37,500 and $68,500, respectively.
But don’t let the price of tuition deter you from applying (and committing) to either of these universities!
Fortunately, both universities are need-blind, which means that USC and UCLA determine each application’s acceptance status without taking into consideration the financial status of the student. So, what does this mean for you? Regardless of the university you apply to, your financial status will not impact whether your application is accepted. Furthermore, you’ll find that at both institutions, the demonstrated financial need of each student is met 100% (yay!).
(Important side note: here’s an in-depth guide on how to pay for college.)
Another difference between USC and UCLA is the application system they use. You can apply to USC with the Common Application and to UCLA with the UC Application. Although there are several distinct differences between these two application systems, both require similar things from each applicant: writing samples, grades and courses, extracurriculars, and more.
So, what is expected from you in the Common Application when applying to USC? You’ll need your:
High School Transcript
Academic Honors and Achievements
As you gather the necessary pieces of information, keep in mind that USC is test-optional for applications through 2023, which means you decide whether you want to submit your test scores or not.
Now that you know what to expect when applying to USC and other schools that use the Common Application, here is what you might need to collect when applying to UCLA through the UC Application. Regardless of the UC school you are applying to—UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC San Diego—the UC Application requires you to submit your:
High School Transcript
AP test scores (all UC schools are test-blind for SAT/ACT)
Unlike the Common App Personal Statement, the goal of the UC PIQs, as well as the rest of what is needed when applying through the UC Application, is to showcase at least 1 of the 13 Points of Comprehensive Review.
What are important differences between USC and UCLA?
In addition to public (UCLA) vs private (USC) and the relevant differences in tuition (UCLA is much cheaper for California residents), it’s important to think about differences between academic offerings, acceptance rates, and the student body at the respective schools.
Academics
When thinking about the academic offerings of USC and UCLA, there are a few differences, but both are amazing academic institutions.
USC is the oldest research university in California (and one of the oldest in the world). It’s a leading private research university that promotes interdisciplinary studies and encourages collaboration within its 21,000 undergraduates, something that can be seen within its 23 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. USC’s student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1, with 62% of the classes having no more than 20 students.
Both the USC Marshall School of Business and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering are highly respected, and thus are highly selective and competitive, but worth the work. Plus, USC has its fair share of Nobel Laureates, Rhode Scholars, Marshall Scholars, recipients of the MacArthur ‘Genius’ Award, Guggenheim Award, and the National Medal of the Arts Award, and other distinguished faculty and alumni such as George Lucas!
But don’t let the hype you’re feeling about USC right now overshadow what UCLA has to offer. There’s a reason these two schools continue to maintain such a fierce rivalry.
UCLA, which was founded in 1919, is considered a Public Ivy League school, meaning that thought of as being equal to the private Ivy League Schools. Classified as a public research university, UCLA aims to provide students with a multidisciplinary experience, while allowing them to explore their academic interests with peers. The UCLA academic experience includes a student-to-faculty ratio of 18:1, which means that 47.8% of their classes have fewer than 20 students. With more than 125 majors, UCLA’s 31,600 undergraduates have more than enough possible degrees to decide on.
Some of its most popular majors can be found in the School of Nursing, College of Letters and Science, School of the Arts and Architecture, and the School of Theater, Film, and Television. Many of the schools are highly respected in their respective fields, such as UCLA’s school of engineering, which is considered one of the strongest engineering programs at a public university. When looking at the accomplishments of some of its graduates, you can find 27 Nobel Prize winners, 5 Turing Award winners, and esteemed actors like James Dean.
USC vs UCLA Acceptance rates
Whether you’re applying to USC or UCLA, you’ll find that both universities are highly selective. So, what exactly does it take to get into each?
Student Body
Both USC and UCLA have a diverse student body. Let’s take a look at the breakdown of the student populations:
| Ethnicity | USC | UCLA (undergrad) |
|---|---|---|
| African American | 5.8% | 5% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | *information not included | <1% |
| Asian & Pacific Islander | 19.3% | 33% |
| Hispanic | 15.3% | 21% |
| White | 24.8% | 26% |
| Other Domestic or Unknown | 8.2% | 4% |
| International | 26.6% | 10% |
USC and UCLA also have vibrant student life, such as Greek life. There are more than 40 organizations under the Trojan Fraternity and Sorority and the UCLA community offers 66 UCLA Greek-related organizations, which means that about 20% of the USC and 13% of the UCLA student body participates in Greek life. You can also find clubs and student organizations for a plethora of interests at both universities, with each housing more than 1,000 clubs and student organizations. You can find a list of activities for USC and UCLA at the included links.
UCLA vs USC: Which college is “better”?
Well, we think this is the wrong question. It’s really not a question of which college is ‘better’ because both colleges are great choices. Both universities are successful, academically rigorous, research-oriented colleges that consistently rank as a couple of the top universities in the US. The questions you might consider asking instead are: Which one fits you? And how do you decide?
Should I choose USC or UCLA: How do I decide which is right for me?
Deciding where to apply and attend, regardless of which universities you are considering, is a major life decision. It’s important that you take the time to reflect on and firmly grasp your own particular situation.
Here are a few things you might consider asking yourself when thinking about USC vs UCLA and where to go to college:
Do I want to study business or go into the film industry? Both are good, but USC might be a better option.
Am I more focused on STEM? UCLA offers a lot of strengths.
Am I ok with larger class sizes, or do I want USC’s smaller student:faculty ratio?
How well do my grades, test scores, and application information pieces align with what is accepted by the university?
Can I afford tuition, with or without financial aid?
Does school ranking matter to me?
Will I be happy participating in the college community? What organizations will I be involved with?
What do I want from my college experience?
Once you’ve taken the time to answer the above questions, and questions similar to them, you’ll have created your own criteria of what school best fits you.
Let’s use the fifth question—can I afford tuition, with or without financial aid—as an example. The cost of tuition for USC admits and out-of-state UCLA admits is roughly the same, $63,500 and $68,500, respectively. So, if you’re applying as a non-resident of California, the price might not be a major deterrent, but if you are a California resident, you’re looking at a $26,000 difference between USC and UCLA, which is over $100,000 over four years. Depending on the financial parts of your criteria as a California resident, you might consider attending UCLA over USC, while a non-California resident might not consider the difference in tuition at all.
As you continue to work your way through your criteria, keep track of how much USC and UCLA fits with what you are looking for. Hopefully, this will help guide you when deciding which school to apply to. Ultimately, if you are able to, why not consider applying to both USC and UCLA.
Final thoughts on USC vs UCLA
Wait, what about the sports thing? What rivalry do these two schools have with each other? You’ll find the athletic rivalry between the USC Trojans and the UCLA Bruins captivating. Both schools are members of the Pac-12 Conference, which means that they not only compete against each other in individual competitions, but also for the Pac-12 Conference Title. Each school is home to 21 accomplished Division I sports teams. The Trojans have snagged a total of 107 NCAA National Championship titles, while the Bruins have claimed a total of 119 NCAA Team Championships. USC and UCLA are ranked 3rd and 2nd, nationally, in total NCAA Championship Titles earned. Whether you decide to apply to USC, UCLA, or both, you’ll find yourself choosing between two highly competitive and successful schools.
Special thanks to Kaila for writing this blog post
Kaila Barber (she/her) attended the University of Notre Dame, where she pursued her passion for science, as well as competed as a collegiate hurdler. She completed a minor in Education, Schooling, and Society, a B.S. in PreProfessional Science, and a M.S. in Global Health. Now she serves as a member on CEG’s Quality Control, Essay Review, Workshop, and one-on-one coaching team. Kaila loves gardening, watching anime, and reading mystery novels.
Top Values: Adventure, Growth, Patience
