University of Southern California (USC) vs Iowa State University (ISU) Introduction
In this article, we will be comparing two well-known universities in the United States: the University of Southern California (USC) and Iowa State University (ISU). We will provide an overview of each institution, discussing costs and tuition, admissions, degrees offered, academics, diversity, student life, campus features, alumni, rankings, and outcomes. By comparing these factors, we hope to provide prospective students with a better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of attending either institution.
USC Overview
The University of Southern California is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1880, it is the oldest private research university in the state. USC offers undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in a wide range of fields, including arts and humanities, social sciences, business, engineering, and health sciences.
USC Costs & Tuition
Tuition at USC is significantly higher than at ISU, with undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year totaling $59,260. This does not include the cost of housing, meal plans, books, and other expenses. However, USC offers financial aid packages to help offset these costs, with nearly 70% of undergraduate students receiving some form of financial assistance.
USC Admissions
Admission to USC is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 11%. Applicants are expected to have strong academic records, with most admitted students ranking in the top 10% of their high school class. In addition, USC emphasizes extracurricular activities and leadership experience as part of their holistic admissions process.
USC Degrees Offered
USC offers over 150 undergraduate majors and minors, as well as numerous graduate and professional degree programs. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors at USC include Business Administration, Communication, Cinematic Arts, Computer Science, and Psychology.
USC Academics
USC is known for its strong academic programs and commitment to research. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1, providing students with personalized attention and opportunities for research and collaboration. In addition, USC is home to numerous research centers and institutes, as well as a robust study abroad program.
USC Diversity
USC is highly diverse, with a student body representing all 50 states and over 100 countries. Approximately 26% of undergraduate students are international, and 44% of undergraduates identify as an ethnic minority.
USC Students
USC has an undergraduate enrollment of around 20,000 students and a total enrollment of approximately 48,000 students. The university offers more than 1,000 clubs and organizations, allowing students to explore their passions and connect with like-minded peers. USC also has a strong Greek life presence, with over 60 fraternities and sororities on campus.
USC Campus
USC’s campus is located in the heart of Los Angeles, offering students a vibrant and diverse urban environment. The university’s campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including research centers, libraries, and recreational spaces. USC also has a robust arts scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and performance spaces on campus.
USC Alumni
USC has a strong alumni network, with over 400,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable USC alumni include director George Lucas, actor Will Ferrell, and astronaut Neil Armstrong.
USC Rankings
USC is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States and the world. According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, USC is ranked 24th among national universities and 10th among best colleges for veterans.
USC Outcomes
USC graduates have a strong track record of success in their chosen fields, with a 92% graduation rate and a median starting salary of $62,000 for recent graduates.
ISU Overview
Iowa State University is a public research university located in Ames, Iowa. Established in 1858, ISU is the largest university in the state, with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
ISU Costs & Tuition
Tuition at ISU is significantly lower than at USC, with undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year totaling $9,320 for Iowa residents and $24,508 for non-residents. Like USC, ISU offers financial aid packages to help offset these costs, with over 80% of undergraduate students receiving some form of financial assistance.
ISU Admissions
Admission to ISU is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 91%. Applicants are expected to have strong academic records, with most admitted students ranking in the top 50% of their high school class. In addition, ISU emphasizes extracurricular activities and leadership experience as part of their holistic admissions process.
ISU Degrees Offered
ISU offers over 100 undergraduate majors and minors, as well as numerous graduate and professional degree programs. Some of the most popular undergraduate majors at ISU include Engineering, Agriculture, Business, and Biological Sciences.
ISU Academics
ISU is known for its strong academic programs in STEM fields, with a commitment to research and innovation. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1, providing students with opportunities for research and collaboration. In addition, ISU is home to numerous research centers and institutes, as well as a robust study abroad program.
ISU Diversity
ISU has a diverse student body, with students representing all 50 states and over 110 countries. Approximately 9% of undergraduate students are international, and 22% of undergraduates identify as an ethnic minority.
ISU Students
ISU has an undergraduate enrollment of around 28,000 students and a total enrollment of approximately 33,000 students. The university offers more than 900 clubs and organizations, allowing students to explore their passions and connect with like-minded peers. ISU also has a strong Greek life presence, with over 50 fraternities and sororities on campus.
ISU Campus
ISU’s campus is located in Ames, Iowa, offering students a vibrant college town experience. The university’s campus features state-of-the-art facilities, including research centers, libraries, and recreational spaces. ISU also has a robust arts scene, with numerous galleries, theaters, and performance spaces on campus.
ISU Alumni
ISU has a strong alumni network, with over 250,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable ISU alumni include astronaut Clayton Anderson, inventor George Washington Carver, and actress Carrie Chapman Catt.
ISU Rankings
ISU is consistently ranked among the top universities in the United States, particularly in STEM fields. According to the 2021 U.S. News & World Report rankings, ISU is ranked 118th among national universities and 55th among best colleges for veterans.
ISU Outcomes
ISU graduates have a strong track record of success in their chosen fields, with an 86% graduation rate and a median starting salary of $50,000 for recent graduates.
USC vs ISU Cost Comparison
As mentioned earlier, tuition and fees at USC are significantly higher than at ISU, with undergraduate tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year totaling $59,260 for USC and $9,320 for Iowa residents ($24,508 for non-residents) at ISU. This difference in cost may be a deciding factor for many students, particularly those who may not qualify for significant financial aid packages.
USC vs ISU Admissions Difficulty
Admission to USC is much more competitive than admission to ISU, with acceptance rates of 11% and 91% respectively. This difference in selectivity may be appealing to students who are looking for a more prestigious institution or a more challenging academic environment.
USC vs ISU Academic Difficulty
Both USC and ISU offer rigorous academic programs, with USC being particularly well-known for its programs in business, communication, and cinematic arts, and ISU being noted for its programs in engineering, agriculture, and biological sciences. While both universities have a commitment to research and academic excellence, USC’s lower student-to-faculty ratio of 9:1 may provide a more personalized learning experience than ISU’s ratio of 19:1.
USC vs ISU Outcome Comparison
Graduates of both USC and ISU have strong outcomes in terms of graduation rates and starting salaries, with USC having a slightly higher graduation rate (92% vs 86%) and median starting salary ($62,000 vs $50,000). This may be due in part to the more prestigious reputation of USC and the greater resources available to students at a private institution, but it’s important to consider factors such as cost of living and individual career goals when evaluating these outcomes.
