Academic Comparison between UC Berkeley and USC

University of California-Berkeley and University of Southern California are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. UC Berkeley is a four-year, public school located in Berkeley, CA and USC is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Los Angeles, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • UC Berkeley is a public and USC is a private (not-for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • USC has more expensive tuition & fees ($71,647) than UC Berkeley ($47,265).
  • It is harder to admit to USC than UC Berkeley.
  • USC has more students with 46,566 students while UC Berkeley has 45,882 students.
  • USC has a lower number of students per faculty with 9 to 1 while UC Berkeley's ratio is 18 to 1.
  • USC has more full-time faculties with 2,442 faculties while UC Berkeley has 1,971 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Berkeleyvs.University of Southern California
Berkeley, CaliforniaLocationLos Angeles, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (not-for-profit)
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$15,377
Out-Of-State$47,265
2025 Tuition & Fees$71,647
60%% Receiving Financial Aid69%
$25,091Average Amount of Financial Aid$48,649
10.98 %Acceptance Rates9.81 %
45.99 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)43.34 %
-SAT Score1,500
-ACT Score33
93 %Graduation Rate92 %
-Transfer-out Rate-
97 %Retention Rate96 %
45,882Student Population46,566
1,971Number of Faculties2,442
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio9 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare
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