UCLA: Which College Is Better? Each student should decide which school is better in terms of meeting their academic interests and personal needs. Both schools match up in many ways. They are both highly ranked — USC is 25th and UCLA is 20th in the U.S. News & World Report national rankings, respectively.

A Leading Private Research University USC is also ranked in the top five among all California public and private institutions. The rankings consider student experience, salary impact and social mobility.

University of Southern California's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #28. Its tuition and fees are $68,237.

Cons: Cost: Like many private universities, USC is quite expensive, with high tuition and living expenses. Students may need to take on significant debt in order to attend. Competitive Environment: USC is a highly competitive environment, with rigorous academic standards and a large student body.