University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California · Private Nonprofit · 9.8% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 91/100 · Exceptional Value
University of Southern California
Exceptional ValueQuick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $72,097/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $72,097/yr |
| Average net price | $32,740/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $130,960 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $92,498 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $61,400 |
| Median debt at graduation | $18,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $191 |
| Estimated payback period | 4.7 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 91.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 20,443 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $13,516 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $14,394 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,539 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $24,976 |
| $110,001+ | $56,116 |
Earnings by Major
Top 10 most popular majors at University of Southern California with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | $192,897 | A |
| Communication and Media Studies | $75,864 | B |
| Human Biology | $69,751 | C |
| Psychology | $70,461 | B |
| Economics | $94,435 | A |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $58,623 | C |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $40,415 | C |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $84,866 | B+ |
| International Relations | $75,090 | B+ |
| Applied Mathematics | $101,094 | A |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at University of Southern California is $72,097/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $32,740/year, or roughly $130,960 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $13,516/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $56,116/year.
The median graduate leaves with $18,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $191 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $92,498 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.29 - well within manageable territory.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 80.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 83.9% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 84.9% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 87.3% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 9.8% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 740-790 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 710-760 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 32-35 |
| Enrollment | 20,443 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 22.2% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $17,924 |
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California (this school) | 91 | $32,740 | $92,498 |
| Cornell University | 96 | $28,690 | $104,043 |
| Northeastern University | 91 | $30,915 | $92,538 |
| Boston University | 90 | $24,402 | $83,238 |
| Azusa Pacific University | 71 | $22,212 | $66,677 |
| Art Center College of Design | 56 | $48,661 | $71,958 |
The Verdict: The Investment Pays Off
University of Southern California is one of the strongest financial investments in higher education. With a total 4-year net cost of $130,960 and median graduate earnings of $92,498 ten years out, the math works decisively in graduates' favor. The estimated payback period of 4.7 years is well below average.
The data highlights several strengths: strong earnings premium over high school graduates, a 91.8% graduation rate, manageable debt relative to earnings, high loan repayment success.
Median debt of $18,000 is very manageable against $92,498 in annual earnings - well within the financial advisor rule of thumb that total debt should not exceed first-year salary.
Rankings & Links
Guides & Tools
Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.