UC Berkeley vs USC: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-Berkeley and University of Southern California, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UC Berkeley vs USC at a glance
UC Berkeley admits 11% of applicants and USC 9.8% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,538 at UC Berkeley and $33,056 at USC. Six-year graduation rates are 93.7% and 90.2%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UC Berkeley admits 11% of applicants and USC 9.8%, so USC is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,538 a year at UC Berkeley and $33,056 at USC; UC Berkeley costs $18,518 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $5,110 at UC Berkeley and $17,171 at USC.
- 93.7% of students graduate within six years at UC Berkeley, against 90.2% at USC.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $100,212 for UC Berkeley and $103,420 for USC; USC is $3,208 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $12,416 at UC Berkeley and $17,000 at USC.
- UC Berkeley enrolls 33,068 students (midsize city) and USC 20,443 (large city).
- UC Berkeley is a public college and USC is a private nonprofit college.
Side by side
UC Berkeley and USC in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | UC Berkeley | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 11% | 9.8% |
| Applicants | 112,843 | 71,031 |
| SAT middle 50% (composite) | Not reported | 1450–1550 |
| ACT middle 50% | Not reported | 32–35 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,538 | $33,056 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,198 | $75,162 |
| Tuition, out of state | $54,800 | $75,162 |
| Cost of attendance | $47,842 | $95,048 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $5,110 | $17,171 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $5,391 | $13,736 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $9,606 | $18,282 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $16,064 | $28,033 |
| Over $110,000 | $37,451 | $59,062 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 93.7% | 90.2% |
| First-year retention | 96.8% | 95.9% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $100,212 | $103,420 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $12,416 | $17,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $141 | $193 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 33,068 | 20,443 |
| Type | Public | Private nonprofit |
| Setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
| Location | Berkeley, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
UC Berkeley reports 80 bachelor's programs and USC 90; 51 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UC Berkeley vs USC
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UC Berkeley or USC?
USC is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UC Berkeley admits 11% of applicants and USC admits 9.8%.
Which is cheaper, UC Berkeley or USC?
UC Berkeley has the lower average net price after grants: $14,538 a year at UC Berkeley against $33,056 at USC. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $5,110 and $17,171. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UC Berkeley or USC graduates earn more?
USC graduates earn more at the median: $100,212 ten years after entry for UC Berkeley and $103,420 for USC. Median federal debt at graduation is $12,416 and $17,000.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UC Berkeley or USC?
UC Berkeley does: 93.7% of UC Berkeley students graduate within six years, against 90.2% at USC.
How big are UC Berkeley and USC?
UC Berkeley has 33,068 students in Berkeley, CA and USC has 20,443 students in Los Angeles, CA.