<p>You are splitting hairs to the extreme. Cornell will have great opportunities. uSC will have great opportunities. They will be different opportunities, that’s all. In the real world, people don’t do these head to head comparisons of US News rankings like you imagine.</p>
<p>"and USC is not an ivy league, although it is highly reputable in the LA area and has a very good alumni network. "</p>
<p>You keep repeating Ivy League throughout your post as though you think there is magic dust to the name. If you wish to remain in LA, USC will likely have more magic dust to its name. The Ivy League magic dust is still concentrated in the east coast and in certain industries.</p>
<p>USC has a good rep.</p>
<p>In certain parts of the country, if you say “Cornell”, they think you mean a very fine college in Iowa. (And no one will believe you if you claim it is part of the Ivy League when everyone knows it is part of the Corn and Pig Circuit.)</p>
<p>It sounds like you made a decent decision. At this point, “stay in your lane”. There is no financial advantage to transfer do-over at Cornell University. Often once the path is set in life you just have to “make it the right decision”. GOOD LUCK!</p>