University of Southern California vs Boston University

University of Southern California and Boston University are both well-regarded institutions, but they differ in important ways. Here's how they compare across key dimensions.

Admissions: University of Southern California is more selective with a 10.0% acceptance rate compared to Boston University's 10.8%. Average SAT scores are 1501 and 1473 respectively.

Cost: Boston University offers a lower average net price at $26,996, which is $4,931 less than University of Southern California ($31,927). After financial aid, this can make a significant difference over 4 years.

Career Outcomes: Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median salary of $92,498 ten years after enrollment, which is $9,260 more than Boston University graduates ($83,238).

Graduation: University of Southern California leads with a 92.2% graduation rate, and freshman retention rates are 96.5% vs 94.5%.

Campus Size: University of Southern California is the larger campus with 20,817 total students, while Boston University has 17,850.

Bottom Line: Boston University wins on affordability while University of Southern California leads in career earnings. Your choice depends on whether upfront cost or long-term ROI matters more.