Head-to-head comparison
Emory University vs. University of Southern California
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Emory or USC harder to get into?
USC is harder to get into than Emory. USC's 9.8% acceptance rate is lower than Emory's 10.7%.
Which is cheaper, Emory or USC?
Emory costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, Emory's average net price is $22,585 vs $32,740 at USC.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
USC graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $80,137 at Emory and $92,498 at USC.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Emory | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 10.7% | 9.8% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1470–1550 | 1450–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–35 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $83,622 | $90,300 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $22,585 | $32,740 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,298 | 20,443 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 91.1% | 91.8% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $80,137 | $92,498 |
| Setting | Atlanta, Georgia | Los Angeles, California |
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (IPEDS) and school-published admit cycle data. Last verified May 2026.
The Real Differences
Selectivity is essentially the same. Emory's 10.7% acceptance rate and USC's 9.8% are within a percentage point of each other. For an unhooked applicant, the difference is statistical noise. Apply to whichever you genuinely prefer.
Emory is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $10,155 per year, $40,620 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
USC graduates earn $12,361 more on average at the 10-year mark. This usually reflects major distribution more than school quality — schools that concentrate in CS, engineering, and finance pull higher medians than schools with more humanities and social science graduates. Emory grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
USC is substantially larger with 20,443 undergrads vs 7,298 at Emory. Bigger universities have more major options and broader research opportunities; smaller ones offer more access to faculty and tighter-knit communities.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. Emory is in Atlanta, Georgia; USC is in Los Angeles, California. Climate, cost-of-living, and proximity to job markets in your target field shape the four-year experience and post-grad pipeline more than most prospective students realize.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. Emory is 56.8% women, 15.8% international, and 25.1% Asian-American. USC is 52.2% women, 13.3% international, and 23.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Emory | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 56.8% | 52.2% |
| International | 15.8% | 13.3% |
| White | 29.9% | 25.5% |
| Asian | 25.1% | 23.3% |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 20.0% |
| Black | 10.4% | 7.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Emory vs. USC?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Emory if
- Your odds are realistic at Emory (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: Emory costs $10,155 less per year on average
- the Emory and Oxford College campuses
Pick USC if
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($92,498 vs $80,137)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the Iovine and Young Academy
Headline numbers favor one school or the other on each axis, but neither is unambiguously “better.” The right answer depends on your major fit, geographic preference, financial need, and personal odds at each. Most applicants who get into one of these schools also get into the other.
Full School Pages
For complete admissions data, supplemental essay strategy, and class profile breakdowns:
Full profile
Emory University
10.7% accept · Atlanta, Georgia
Full profile
University of Southern California
9.8% accept · Los Angeles, California
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard for acceptance rates, test ranges, financial aid, demographics, completion, and earnings.
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) for the underlying federal data.
- Each school's most recent published Common Data Set for cycle-specific admissions stats.
Last verified May 2026. Stats reflect each school's most recent publicly published admit cycle.