USC v UCLA: Computer Science & Business (w/ Aid Packages Inside)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of California - Los Angeles
1

I want to major in both business / computer science

USC: ($3,900 / year)

  • Trustee Scholar
  • Can double major easily
  • Free study abroad from my scholarship
  • Slightly higher salary upon graduation
  • Bad neighborhood
  • Smaller class sizes (TO) / lots of money / more resources
  • Easier to research undergrad
  • Actual business program (& #1 ranked gaming CS department)
  • Lower overall ranking right now (but very similar)

UCLA: ($8,200 / year)

  • Blue/Gold Scholarship
  • Very hard to double major (might not even get in for major)
  • No free study abroad
  • Good neighborhood
  • Huge class sizes / broke af / less resources / more “out with the wolves”
  • Harder to research undergrad
  • No business school, just economics major (less prestigious CS department)
  • Better overall ranking right now (but very similar)

This is what has led me to think USC will be better… However for some reason when I tell people I am leaning towards USC, they think UCLA is still better (granted these are much older people)

Just looking for some opinions I guess, because I have essentially narrowed down my choices to these two schools.

2
  • some people say USC too, might I add. Not like everyone I have asked wants me to go to UCLA (probably closer to 50/50)... Even my dermatologist said USC is better and will be in the future lol
3

Oh and also USC only takes 4/5 on AP tests and UCLA takes 3/4/5, and I have like 12 APs with a couple 3’s

4

Oh and also USC only takes 4/5 on AP tests and UCLA takes 3, and I have like 12 APs with a couple 3’s

5

I vote for USC, the whole packages looks better. Half the price and better resources and opportunities (it would seem).

20 years ago, the answer would have been UCLA for sure.

6

Thank you for the input :slight_smile:

7

Less prestigious CS department? Really?

8

Go to USC if you want to do Business. USC Marshall has extremely strong networking worldwide (so is Viterbi actually) and will help you a lot. I am a UCLA student and I don’t agree that USC has a more prestigious CS department. While some people consider UCLA and USC at the same level, there are still some people who think UCLA has better name than USC. (old people basically, their images about USC is from like a decade ago.) Few people think USC has a better name, due to the quality of research is still better at UCLA, while USC is spending lots of money to catch up.

However, I do agree that USC is doing a much better job, by miles, in terms of undergraduate teaching, due to the funding available. This is why I recommend anyone to USC if money is not a concern for Engineering. Given that you also want to do Business, don’t even think about UCLA then. Networking and undergrad teaching quality is something UCLA sucks at. USC is a solid choice for you.

9

AP exams won’t matter because USC accepts 32 credits at 4 credits apiece (so 8 exams total). So if you have at least 8 scores of 4s and 5s it won’t matter

10

Thank you for all the help everyone! (@zym8686 especially thank you, I appreciate the perspective)

11

I’d definitely go with USC if I was lucky enough to be in your position! :slight_smile:
I was accepted, but with little to no financial aid so I can’t go.

Anyway, congrats on your acceptances and good luck wherever you decide to go :slight_smile: