Head-to-head comparison
Georgetown University vs. University of Southern California
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs Georgetown or USC harder to get into?
USC is harder to get into than Georgetown. USC's 9.8% acceptance rate is lower than Georgetown's 12.2%.
Which is cheaper, Georgetown or USC?
USC costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, USC's average net price is $32,740 vs $40,815 at Georgetown.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
Georgetown graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $103,494 at Georgetown and $92,498 at USC.
Full Comparison
| Metric | Georgetown | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 12.2% | 9.8% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1410–1540 | 1450–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 32–35 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,762 | $90,300 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $40,815 | $32,740 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 7,958 | 20,443 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 94.8% | 91.8% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $103,494 | $92,498 |
| Setting | Washington, D.C. | 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
USC is modestly harder to get into. The 2.4-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.
USC is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $8,075 per year, $32,300 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.
Georgetown graduates earn $10,996 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. USC grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
USC is substantially larger with 20,443 undergrads vs 7,958 at Georgetown. 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. Georgetown is in Washington, D.C.; 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. Georgetown is 59.0% women, 13.3% international, and 15.4% Asian-American. USC is 52.2% women, 13.3% international, and 23.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | Georgetown | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 59.0% | 52.2% |
| International | 13.3% | 13.3% |
| White | 46.1% | 25.5% |
| Asian | 15.4% | 23.3% |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 20.0% |
| Black | 4.9% | 7.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at Georgetown vs. USC?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick Georgetown if
- Your odds are realistic at Georgetown (slightly easier admit)
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($103,494 vs $92,498)
- Higher 6-year graduation rate
- the School of Foreign Service
Pick USC if
- Net price matters: USC costs $8,075 less per year on average
- 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
Georgetown University
12.2% accept · Washington, D.C.
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.