UCLA vs USC Academics?

College Search & Selection
1

I’m a California resident trying to choose between UCLA and USC! I’m undecided about my academic career path but will most likely be pursuing a major in the humanities or social sciences.

For me, UCLA is the cheaper option, and it’s also the more high-ranking college, which I think is probably important career-wise after graduation for a humanities major. However, I’m concerned that UCLA will have many classes with hundreds of students and little personal attention or connection with professors. Plus as a public university, I think there might be fewer resources and more difficulty getting all the classes you need to graduate.

I was also admitted to USC’s Thematic Option honors program, which I think would provide a better classroom experience - more discussion-based and more personal attention. However, USC is a lot more expensive for my family and it’s not as good of a college as UCLA. It’s also located in a not-so-good neighborhood. Can anyone confirm my impressions or give me some advice?

2

I hear that with UCLA, attention from professors outside of class is there as long as you seek it. I think the Thematic Option honors program would provide you with a better classroom experience, but I feel like you can still get that at UCLA, especially in your later years there. I also think it’s in a much better location, and is overall better socially. Not to mention that USC has that (not necessarily wrong) handle of “University of Spoiled Children.” Once you factor in the money, I would definitely say pick UCLA.

3

Go UCLA!!

4

I would argue that in the case of USC vs. UCLA, there is not one that is better than the other. However, due to financial reasons, I think it makes sense to go to UCLA.

5

Thanks!! I did make a financial appeal to USC because there was a special circumstance they didn’t factor in, but I don’t know what my chances of success are, and if they would be able to get back to me before May 1

6

Both have on line schedules that show class sizes.

7

Email again to make sure you can get an answer before may 1. The only way I would go USC over UCLA, would be if you are interested solely in business. IMO the prospects from Marshall vs. business/econ at UCLA are much, much better. That’s just what I have heard tho. Also, I can almost say with certainty that USC will be less stressful. UCLA has quarters, not midterms, and I have heard is a bit more intense in comparison to USC.

8

Does anyone know how UCLA class sizes are, for students in the humanities and social sciences?

9

I think we must first define “academics” or “academic strength”.

I think the following list of factors could work to that end:

  • Average class size
  • Number of majors/classes
  • Availability of majors/classes
  • Ease of declaring and changing majors
  • Availability of professors
  • Research opportunities
  • % of lectures taught by faculty with PhD/terminal degree
  • % of discussions/labs taught by faculty with PhD/terminal degree
  • % of faculty overall with PhD/terminal degree
  • Faculty publishing
  • Faculty awards
  • Student survey ratings (positive learning environment, professors’ effectiveness, etc.)

These are things directly related to the quality of education provided by the school.

For what it’s worth, I think USC and UCLA are academic peers with different strengths.

10

Re #7

Go look at each school’s online class schedule to find class sizes of classes you are interested in.