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University of Chicago vs. University of Southern California (USC) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to University of Chicago or USC?“
University of Chicago
University of Southern California (USC)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between University of Chicago and University of Southern California (USC). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between University of Chicago and University of Southern California (USC)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between University of Chicago and University of Southern California (USC). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| University of Chicago | University of Southern California (USC) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $51,351 | $50,277 |
| Net Price | $25,883 | $29,174 |
| Average Financial Aid | $36,398 | $33,822 |
| Total Undergraduates | 5869 | 18519 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1440 - 1600 | 1270 - 1500 |
| Acceptance Rate | 8 | 18 |
| Location | 5801 S Ellis Ave | University Park |
| City Name | Chicago | Los Angeles |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, University of Chicago is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Chicago and Los Angeles. University of Chicago is in a East North Central and USC is in a Mountain - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is University of Chicago or University of Southern California (USC) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of Chicago is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that University of Chicago is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, University of Southern California (USC) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do University of Chicago Dorms Compare to housing Options at USC?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. University of Chicago charges for on-campus living, while USC charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
University of Chicago and USC student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| University of Chicago, % | USC,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 44.51 | 40.129999999999995 |
| Hispanic | 8.49 | 13.8 |
| Black | 5.04 | 4.21 |
| Foreign | 10.84 | 13.4 |
| Others | 31.1 | 28.5 |
How different is the University of Chicago campus compared to University of Southern California (USC) campus?
The University of Chicago campus is located in Chicago, IL and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more). The USC campus is located in Los Angeles, CA and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more).
Which school gives more financial aid?
University of Chicago provides $36,398 whereas USC provides an average of $33,822.
How does University of Chicago academics compare to USC?
When analyzing academics between University of Chicago and University of Southern California (USC) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | University of Chicago | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | N/A | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | 15 | 49 |
| Architecture and related services | N/A | 238 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 9 | 17 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | N/A | 423 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 64 | 217 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | N/A | 473 |
| Education | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: University of Chicago or University of Southern California (USC)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between University of Chicago and USC. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does University of Chicago social life compare to USC?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how University of Chicago social life differs from USC.
Check here.
Check here.