Home › Compare › BU vs USC

Boston University vs USC

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of academics, cost, admissions, campus life and career outcomes to help you choose.

11.3% BU acceptance
9.2% USC acceptance
$6,736 BU cheaper over 4 years
Updated 2026 · Data: NCES, College Scorecard, IPEDS All figures in USD unless noted

School Overview

BU
Boston, Massachusetts
Private
Founded
1839
Enrollment
37,110
Setting
Urban
USC
Los Angeles, California
Private
Founded
1880
Enrollment
49,500
Setting
Urban

At a Glance

Tuition BU saves $1,472
BU
$65,168
USC
$66,640
Acceptance Rate USC more selective
BU
11.3%
USC
9.2%
Graduation Rate USC higher
BU
89%
USC
92%
Avg SAT Score USC higher
BU
1450
USC
1480
Starting Salary USC higher
BU
$72,300
USC
$78,900

Detailed Comparison

Metric BU USC Edge
Tuition (Out-of-State)$65,168$66,640BU
Tuition (In-State)$65,168$66,640BU
Room & Board$19,270$19,482BU
Acceptance Rate11.3%9.2%USC
Graduation Rate89%92%USC
Average SAT14501480USC
Student-Faculty Ratio10:19:1USC
Enrollment37,11049,500-
Avg Financial Aid$38,100$42,360USC
Starting Salary$72,300$78,900USC
Endowment$3.7B$8.1BUSC
Campus Size136 acres229 acres-

Total Cost Comparison (4 Years)

Estimated sticker price before financial aid.

BU
$337,752
4-year total (private)
VS
USC
$344,488
4-year total (private)
After average financial aid, estimated net cost: BU = $185,352 | USC = $175,048. Your actual cost may differ. Use each school's Net Price Calculator for a personalized estimate.

Popular Majors

BU Top Majors

BusinessCommunicationEngineeringBiologyComputer Science

USC Top Majors

BusinessFilmComputer ScienceEngineeringCommunication

Campus & Student Life

Setting
BUUrban
USCUrban
Campus Size
BU136 ac
USC229 ac
Athletics
BUNCAA D1
USCNCAA D1
Region
BUNortheast
USCWest
Founded
BU1839
USC1880
Enrollment
BU37,110
USC49,500

Need Help Choosing Between BU & USC?

Get free personalized guidance from college admissions experts. Application strategy, essay reviews, and financial aid help.

Get Free College Guidance →
✓ 100% free consultation ✓ Expert admissions advisors ✓ No obligation

Helpful Resources

Tools and services to help with your college journey.

🎓 College BoardSAT prep & college search › 📚 Khan AcademyFree SAT prep courses › 💰 FAFSAApply for financial aid › 📝 Common AppApply to 1,000+ colleges › 🏠 Niche.comCollege reviews & rankings › 💼 Scholarships.comFind scholarships ›

Compare Other Colleges

BU vs Yale › MIT vs USC › BU vs Harvard › BU vs Stanford › BU vs MIT › Harvard vs USC › USC vs Yale › Stanford vs USC ›

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BU or USC harder to get into?+
USC is more selective with an acceptance rate of 9.2% compared to 11.3%. Both schools look at GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, essays, and recommendations in their admissions process.
Which is cheaper, BU or USC?+
At sticker price, BU costs less over 4 years ($337,752 vs $344,488). However, financial aid can dramatically change the actual cost. BU offers an average of $38,100/year in aid while USC offers $42,360/year. Always compare your actual net price after aid.
What are the average SAT scores for BU and USC?+
The average SAT score at BU is 1450 and at USC it is 1480. Keep in mind that admitted students often score across a range, and many schools practice holistic admissions where test scores are just one factor.
Do BU or USC graduates earn more?+
Graduates of USC have a higher average starting salary ($78,900 vs $72,300). Salary outcomes vary significantly by major, industry, and location — so this is a general average across all graduates.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at each school?+
BU has a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio while USC has 9:1. A lower ratio generally means smaller class sizes and more individual attention from professors.
How do BU and USC compare for campus life?+
BU is located in Boston, Massachusetts (urban setting) with a 136-acre campus. USC is in Los Angeles, California (urban setting) with 229 acres. BU competes in NCAA D1 athletics and USC in NCAA D1.