UCLA v. USC

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Southern California
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Hi all. While we are waiting for decisions to be released, I was wondering if any current students, parents of students, or alumni can provide insight into the differences between USC and UCLA.

I am completely unbiased. I have no legacy or affiliation with either university.

I understand the two have a really intense rivalry, but unlike most rivalries, there is no clear winner to this one. For example, in the University of Michigan v. Michigan State rivalry, U of M is pretty much better in every way I can think of. In University of Virginia v. Virginia Tech., UVA is a much better, more renowned school. In the case of UCLA and USC, I can’t say one is obviously better than the other.

As an outsider to both schools, I’d say what myself and most people think is that UCLA is the slightly better, more renowned university, and USC is the more fun and spirited institution. UCLA is in a very affluent area while USC is on a bad side of LA. And while I’ve only toured UCLA, it looks to me as though USC is a nicer campus (as it is private and they have more money).

Anyways, any insight helps!

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What do you want to study ?

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Here’s something I should add: I am an OOS student looking to major in engineering.

A few years ago, I toured UCLA and then USC directly after on the same day for my older sister. I remember falling in LOVE with UCLA, and I don’t remember anything about USC. So, most of my life has been aiming towards UCLA and not caring much for USC. In fact, I didn’t even consider applying to USC until the beginning of 2020, and I submitted my application very last minute.

However, now, I’m beginning to do some research and I’m realizing USC Engineering is ranked higher. Also, I’m interested in double-majoring with something in business, and I understand USC gives students more opportunities to explore beyond their major. Finally, as an OOS student, I would prefer to go to private university, as paying OOS tuition for a state school means my parents are paying through the nose to compensate for a California student’s education.

Basically, I spent my entire high school career gravitating towards UCLA, but I’m beginning to have second thoughts on what is best for me. Like I said, any insight helps! And, I’ll appreciate anything that keeps me distracted while we wait.

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One major difference is UCLA is a public university while USC is private. Most of the USC class sizes are smaller that those at UCLA, and I believe I read online that the student facility ratio at UCLA is much higher (18:1 vs 9:1). Base tuition of USC is higher for in-state students, but if someone can get merit scholarship or financial aid, OOS students may find the annual out of pocket expense to be comparable between the two. What I keep on hearing is that at most of the UCs, students have hard time getting into classes (esp entry level, GEs). UCLA is also a research-oriented university, so it may fit some students and not the others.

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USC is actually very generous with financial aid and has updated its FA policies this year to be even more inclusive. Might make it a substantially cheaper option for an OOS student. Personally as a California native who’s visited both schools a few times and has family who’ve attended both, I prefer USC. You can’t really go wrong with either though, and both have their pros and cons.

For engineering, Viterbi is an excellent school. On top of that, USC has a very strong alumni network here on the West Coast that extends across the world, which is advantageous to job-seeking graduates.

I know for a fact that USC students love to party, and Greek life there is more prevalent than at UCLA. If that is your thing, then USC certainly has it in spades. From what I understand, UCLA still has a great party scene, although it is less focused around Greek life.

Personally I think that UCLA’s campus is much prettier and it is definitely in a better area. However, I got a great feeling when I walked on USC’s campus, and it made me realize that I have a clear preference.

Obviously I am biased towards USC here, but both schools have excellent reputations and I know students at both who are equally thrilled to be there. The reason the rivalry is so intense is that every USC and UCLA student genuinely believes their school is superior, and to be honest there is no clear winner.

I think people view these schools differently in Southern California than from an OOS perspective, and I don’t believe that UCLA has a better academic reputation here than USC. It may be more world renowned, but USC has an excellent reputation here and it is only improving every year. The one thing USC is known for is being a rich kid’s school, and that is partially true.

I will say that for engineering you should look into Viterbi more and maybe watch some Youtube videos from students at both schools. They really are both excellent options, and I am just as anxiously awaiting decisions from them as you are!

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@cowboysfan2001, we too toured UCLA first and then USC the next day on our first trip down to LA. D loved UCLA and was somewhat indifferent to USC, even though I as a parent could clearly see all the advantages USC has to offer as a private institution. I realized D was too overloaded with new info and emotions to process USC as well as it deserved. Next year, spring break junior year, I insisted on another visit, this time USC first. As I expected, D loved USC more than UCLA that time, but she could see herself happy and thriving at either one.

I’d love to hear people’s thoughts on comparing the two for Econ/IR as well as Russian and Arabic.

Here are my pros for each one so far:

USC:
-A single major that combines D’s interests, “International Relations and the Global Economy”
-An ability to do concurrent masters in International Econ related field focused on Eastern Europe, unlike UCLA where only somewhat math-intensive Econ is an option
-Ease of classes selections, ability to switch majors, better dorms, all the other perks that come with private colleges
-Possibly stronger alumni network

UCLA:
-Specialized “heritage track” language classes and Russian Flagship program
-Better reputation/name recognition worldwide, particularly in Russia, where D still thinks she might want to work at some point
-Regents invite - if she gets it, does it tip the scale?

In our case, a lot of things are more similar across the two:
-Thanks to in-state at UCLA and NMF half-tuition at USC (hope they keep that despite CV financial impact), the cost differential wouldn’t tip the scale
-If things work out with the AP’s this year, D would have practically all GE’s at both schools covered through combination of APs/DEs

Also, I know absolutely nothing about learning modern Arabic from scratch at either one - just the language, not a full degree in ME studies. Any insight would be extremely thankful. Thanks in advance!

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@typiCAmom : Wow ! Amazing opportunities for your daughter at both schools with substantial discounts. No wrong choice. Congratulations !

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@Publisher, thank you, after the disappointment of not getting the white box in January, the Regents invite was a welcome stress-relief. She is still open-minded about both schools, though as a mom I like USC a lot more.

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I am a parent of a current USC student. Myself and my wife are alums of USC. I am also an alum of UCB.

OP is interested in engineering. US News ranks UCLA # 15 and USC # 29. At the graduate level, USC is #10 vs. UCLA #16. Generally, UCLA has a slightly better reputation than USC because of the many high ranking graduate programs UCLA offers. If there are no scholarship or grants, USC still costs about 20K per year more than UCLA. Business major was mentioned. USC has a top 10 to 15 undergraduate business school (Marshall) while UCLA offers a business economics major at the undergraduate level (both UCLA and USC do have excellent graduate MBA programs (top 20), with UCLA higher ranked and some years USC falls outside the top 20).

A previous poster states “USC is known for is being a rich kid’s school”. That is not true and even in the earlier days when I attended. It depends on the social group and I think more true regarding rich kids in the fraternity row scene. There are quite a few students who are Pell Grant, financial aid or on scholarships and are no way part of the rich kid circle.

Keep in mind that USC is on a 2 semester system school year while UCLA is on a 3 quarter system school year. The quarter system is more intensed and fast paced (10 weeks per quarter vs. 15 weeks per semester). I believe the grading at UCLA, under the fast pace quarter system, is a little harder than at USC. Personally, I think the grading at UCLA is more harsh than at USC (maybe I am equating the UCLA grading to UCB when UCB was on a quarter system).

One thing about USC is that the school offers a lot of tools and opportunities to help the students succeed in their majors. S has taken advantage of great internship opportunities, study abroad, club memberships, volunteer work near the campus, plus others. USC also has a great network of connections to further a career or major.

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What would you recommend for premed? Which school is harder? Which school would be better if I want to go to med school?

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@biochemmajor11 According to the Niche rankings related to pre-med offerings, USC is ranked higher for Biology, but UCLA is ranked higher for Chemistry. But both schools are likely well respected as preparation for med school.

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UCLA is on the quarter system which makes the pace seems faster. If you can adapt to that pace, you might be okay in that regard. However, I personally believe the grading at UCLA is harder than at USC. Getting mostly A’s is very important for medical school applicants. Note that UCLA is #1 in producing the most medical school applicants. I recall seeing USC listed in the top 50(?) from a link in the medical school discussions in this forum. You can probably Google and get a lot of information.

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Does USC grade on a curve? Is there grade inflation? Also, how would you describe the competitiveness amongst pre-med students at UCLA and USC?

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@biochemmajor11 It can vary by professor or program. I cannot speak to the pre-med programs specifically though from personal experience. My daughter’s friends who are pre-med seem to like it very much though. And they have found it competitive and challenging.

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USC does grade on a curve. The school has a reputation and certain high standards to adhere to. I don’t believe there is grade inflation. Unless you are naturally gifted and smart, you have to work hard to get A’s. Usually the top 10% or maybe a little more up to 15% get A’s or A-'s. The professors try to make the average class GPA 2.7 to 3.3. There are a high caliber of students who were admitted to Ivies, Stanford, etc., who chose USC for the full ride rather than paying to attend those elite school not offering awards/scholarships. These students are very competitive and drive the curve up.

Regarding pre-med competitiveness at USC and UCLA, a recent UCLA student, who is now in a SUNY medical school, told me that he heard that UCLA is more competitive for STEM majors than USC. After attending UCB when it was on a quarter system, that is my perception too. For med school, the key is getting A’s (also perform well on the MCAT), and getting A’s is probably achievable at USC if you work hard.

At USC, there are more student collaboration. UCLA seems to be more cutthroat among students, especially in competitive fields.

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Thank you for the great valuable discussions here. Helps me make up my mind between USC and UCLA. One question - In terms of branding and prestige, which is better?

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@AniAni Branding and prestige can depend on the eye of the beholder and vary by major, undergraduate vs graduate, career industry, geography and a host of other subjective preferences. My point is that there is no objective / factual answer to your question about branding or prestige.

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Here is where all your insights will be valuable. DS got into both.

What we know so far

  1. Cost - due to scholarships comes to the same.
  2. Focus - Pre-med/Pre-health track focus
  3. Career aspirations - med school.

Where I am looking for guidance

  1. Prestige and Branding - how does each stack rank. Which school name opens doors ?
  2. % of grads go on to med school
  3. Grade inflation or deflation - for med school admissions, GPA is entry point. Hence does it make sense to go to an undergrad program that will give you a better GPA
  4. Quality of education - USC has smaller class size while UCLA is over packed and access to profs is limited. Where is the teaching better ?
  5. Alumni - which one has a stronger and more involved alumni. Which school name opens doors
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@AniAni I don’t know the answer to your questions but there is a pre-med section in College Confidential. It is a little difficult to find because it isn’t one of the highlighted forums on the right. You might post your question there and see if they can provide additional insight. Here is the link http://talk.qa.collegeconfidential.com/pre-med-topics/

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@AniAni
Isn’t DS waitlisted at UCLA? So you will need to make decision by May 1st without UCLA in mix, correct? Is he def going to USC if he doesn’t get off waitlist at UCLA?