Head-to-head comparison
New York University vs. University of Southern California
Real published data on acceptance rates, cost, and outcomes. Side by side.
Calculate your odds at bothIs NYU or USC harder to get into?
NYU is harder to get into than USC. NYU's 9.2% acceptance rate is lower than USC's 9.8%.
Which is cheaper, NYU or USC?
USC costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, USC's average net price is $32,740 vs $37,050 at NYU.
Which has higher post-graduation earnings?
USC graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $82,509 at NYU and $92,498 at USC.
Full Comparison
| Metric | NYU | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 9.2% | 9.8% |
| SAT mid-50% | 1480–1560 | 1450–1550 |
| ACT mid-50% | 34–35 | 32–35 |
| Cost of attendance | $84,374 | $90,300 |
| Avg net price (after aid) | $37,050 | $32,740 |
| Undergrad enrollment | 28,663 | 20,443 |
| 6-yr graduation rate | 87.6% | 91.8% |
| Median earnings (10yr) | $82,509 | $92,498 |
| Setting | New York, New York | 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. NYU's 9.2% 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.
USC graduates earn $9,989 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. NYU grads' earnings within the same major category are typically comparable.
Geographic difference matters more than the campus tour suggests. NYU is in New York, New York; 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.
NYU has a more international student body (26.1% non-resident students vs 13.3%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.
USC's graduation rate is meaningfully higher (91.8% vs 87.6% 6-year completion). Graduation gaps at this level usually reflect support-system differences, financial aid adequacy, or degree-flexibility — worth verifying with each school's first-year retention and major-change policies.
Student Body Composition
The two schools have different student body compositions. NYU is 59.3% women, 26.1% international, and 22.2% Asian-American. USC is 52.2% women, 13.3% international, and 23.3% Asian-American.
| Demographic | NYU | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Women | 59.3% | 52.2% |
| International | 26.1% | 13.3% |
| White | 22.0% | 25.5% |
| Asian | 22.2% | 23.3% |
| Hispanic | 14.4% | 20.0% |
| Black | 6.9% | 7.1% |
Personalized estimate
What are your odds at NYU vs. USC?
Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.
Run the calculatorThe Verdict
Pick NYU if
- the Tisch School of the Arts
Pick USC if
- Your odds are realistic at USC (slightly easier admit)
- Net price matters: USC costs $4,310 less per year on average
- Higher median post-grad earnings ($92,498 vs $82,509)
- 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
New York University
9.2% accept · New York, New York
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.