Is USC or WashU harder to get into?

USC is harder to get into than WashU. USC's 9.8% acceptance rate is lower than WashU's 12.1%.

Which is cheaper, USC or WashU?

WashU costs less on average. After grants and scholarships, WashU's average net price is $21,786 vs $32,740 at USC.

Which has higher post-graduation earnings, USC or WashU?

USC graduates earn more on average. Median earnings 10 years after entry are $92,498 at USC and $86,182 at WashU.

USC vs. WashU: Acceptance Rate, SAT, Cost & Outcomes Compared

Metric	USC	WashU
Acceptance rate	9.8%	12.1%
SAT mid-50%	1450–1550	1500–1570
ACT mid-50%	32–35	33–35
Cost of attendance	$90,300	$91,290
Avg net price (after aid)	$32,740	$21,786
Undergrad enrollment	20,443	8,132
6-yr graduation rate	91.8%	94.3%
Median earnings (10yr)	$92,498	$86,182
Setting	Los Angeles, California	St. Louis, Missouri

The Real Differences

USC is modestly harder to get into. The 2.3-point gap matters at the margin but doesn't change the overall difficulty tier. Both schools draw similar applicant pools and admit similar profiles.

WashU is significantly cheaper after aid. The average net price gap is $10,954 per year, $43,816 over four years. For most families that difference is the deciding factor when both schools admit you.

USC is substantially larger with 20,443 undergrads vs 8,132 at WashU. 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. USC is in Los Angeles, California; WashU is in St. Louis, Missouri. 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.

USC has a more international student body (13.3% non-resident students vs 9.0%). For applicants who value global exposure or have international academic interests, that mix shows up in classroom culture and alumni network.

Student Body Composition

The two schools have different student body compositions. USC is 52.2% women, 13.3% international, and 23.3% Asian-American. WashU is 54.5% women, 9.0% international, and 20.9% Asian-American.

Demographic	USC	WashU
Women	52.2%	54.5%
International	13.3%	9.0%
White	25.5%	39.7%
Asian	23.3%	20.9%
Hispanic	20.0%	13.2%
Black	7.1%	8.7%

Personalized estimate

What are your odds at USC vs. WashU?

Get a probability for both schools calibrated to your full profile, not the headline rate.

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The Verdict

Pick USC if

Higher median post-grad earnings ($92,498 vs $86,182)
the Iovine and Young Academy

Pick WashU if

Your odds are realistic at WashU (slightly easier admit)
Net price matters: WashU costs $10,954 less per year on average
Higher 6-year graduation rate
flexibility to pursue multiple majors across schools

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

University of Southern California

9.8% accept · Los Angeles, California

Full profile

Washington University in St. Louis

12.1% accept · St. Louis, Missouri

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.

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University of Southern California vs. Washington University in St. Louis