University of Southern California
University of Southern California — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
What we think of University of Southern California
USC is Los Angeles's answer to NYU: a large elite private in a major metro, admits at rates similar to top Ivies (9.8%), and charges among the highest net prices for a school of its selectivity. The honest picture is a $32,740 average net price against $92,498 median earnings — a 1.4-year payback and a 65/100 value score. That is materially worse than most schools admitting at the same level, and it deserves to be understood before applying.
The reason USC's net price is what it is comes down to aid model. USC leans more heavily on merit scholarships than on need-based aid. The Trustee, Presidential, and Dean's scholarships can reduce tuition by 50% or more for the students who receive them, but they are limited and are not offered to most admitted applicants. Need-based aid exists but does not meet full demonstrated need for many middle-income families. Without a merit award, USC is one of the most expensive elite private universities to attend.
Where USC is distinctive is program strength in specific industries. The School of Cinematic Arts is top-tier globally. Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism are nationally competitive. The alumni network in Los Angeles — particularly film, entertainment, and West Coast media — is deep and active.
Bottom line: USC's value proposition rests on location and industry-specific pipelines. If your target is film, entertainment, or the West Coast media industry, and either your family can absorb the cost or you receive a merit award, USC is a strong choice. Without one of those, other elite schools admitting at similar rates deliver better ROI — apply eyes open on the cost math.
University of Southern California at a Glance
The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in California and has an enrollment of more than 47,000 students.
1880
146 years old
$8.8B
$8.8 billion
47,147
21,000 undergrad · 26,124 grad
4,578
226 acres
Identity
How to Apply to University of Southern California
Official admissions pageFebruary 3
November 1 (Early Decision)
4 required
Testing policy
Recommendation letters
Fee waiver
Is University of Southern California Worth It?
University of Southern California delivers solid financial returns for its graduates. At $32,740/year, it's priced 61% above average, while graduates go on to earn $92,498 — 72% above the national average.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
With a 92% graduation rate, the vast majority of students finish their degree and reach these earning outcomes.
The catch: admission is extremely selective at just 10%, making this an option only for top-tier applicants.
Median student debt of $18,000 is manageable at just 19% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
How University of Southern California compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #8 of 11 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Columbia University in the City of New York | 100 | $21,590 | $102,491 |
| #2 | University of Pennsylvania | 94 | $28,699 | $111,371 |
| #3 | University of Notre Dame | 90 | $26,780 | $99,980 |
| #4 | Cornell University | 86 | $28,690 | $104,043 |
| #5 | Boston University | 76 | $24,402 | $83,238 |
| #6 | Northwestern University | 73 | $29,167 | $89,363 |
| #8 | University of Southern California | 65 | $32,740 | $92,498 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of University of Southern California's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%).
Best Programs at University of Southern California
The highest-earning program at University of Southern California is Computer Software and Media Applications at $91,500/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,400/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Computer Software and Media Applications graduate from University of Southern California earns $91,500, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,400. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Computer Software and Media Applications graduates carry $20,000 in median debt vs. $19,428 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $32,740/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $91,500 | $91,500 | $20,000 |
| Computer Engineering | $86,400 | $86,400 | $16,875 |
| Computer Science | $85,200 | $85,200 | $21,250 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $76,000 | $76,000 | $19,750 |
| Industrial Engineering | $73,600 | $73,600 | $20,800 |
| Civil Engineering | $71,500 | $71,500 | $23,250 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $70,500 | $70,500 | $25,985 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | $69,400 | $69,400 | $27,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $64,600 | $64,600 | $17,360 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | $64,500 | $64,500 | $19,000 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $64,500 | $64,500 | $19,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $63,400 | $63,400 | $20,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $57,800 | $57,800 | $18,500 |
| Applied Mathematics | $53,700 | $53,700 | $15,750 |
| Architecture | $48,600 | $48,600 | $32,368 |
| Economics | $47,300 | $47,300 | $14,000 |
| City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning | $45,200 | $45,200 | $18,457 |
| Philosophy | $44,900 | $44,900 | $18,750 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $43,800 | $43,800 | $19,100 |
| Political Science and Government | $42,300 | $42,300 | $14,000 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $40,700 | $40,700 | $18,125 |
| Journalism | $40,600 | $40,600 | $19,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $39,900 | $39,900 | $18,250 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,200 | $39,200 | $17,750 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $35,100 | $35,100 | $23,021 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $34,600 | $34,600 | $18,500 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | $34,600 | $34,600 | $19,500 |
| History | $34,000 | $34,000 | $15,769 |
| Sociology | $33,600 | $33,600 | $13,024 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $32,700 | $32,700 | $19,500 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $32,400 | $32,400 | $17,279 |
| Psychology, General | $31,700 | $31,700 | $17,750 |
| Social Sciences, General | $30,800 | $30,800 | $21,250 |
| Human Biology | $29,500 | $29,500 | $17,750 |
| Public Health | $27,800 | $27,800 | $21,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $27,400 | $27,400 | $20,940 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $27,300 | $27,300 | $17,375 |
| Biology, General | $25,500 | $25,500 | $13,192 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management | $24,300 | $24,300 | $21,500 |
| Music | $23,600 | $23,600 | $23,250 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,400 | $20,400 | $19,428 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Student Body
- 20,443 students
- Admission Rate
- 10%
- Graduation Rate
- 92%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $32,740
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $92,498
- Median Student Debt
- $18,000