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Is University of Southern California worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for University of Southern California, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Affordable
University of Southern California lands in the affordable band for a typical family. Graduates earn a median of $92,498 ten years after enrolling, and that makes the median debt of $18,000 more manageable than it looks at first glance. For context, University of Southern California's net price runs about 82% above the typical 4-year, private nonprofit school. On the numbers alone, this school clears the bar comfortably.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 1237 similar 4-year, private nonprofit schools
This school
$41,496
/yrAverage school like this
$22,837
/yrThis weighs on your Worth-It Score
You'd pay about $18,659 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $75,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
Graduation and earnings data create a stronger long-run payoff picture.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$32,740
Median earnings 10 years out
$92,498
Median debt at graduation
$18,000
Graduation rate
92%
At University of Southern California, a typical graduate carries about $18,000 in student debt and earns roughly $92,498 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $205 per month, or 3% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
University of Southern California is a private nonprofit four year school in Los Angeles, CA. Private pricing can swing more dramatically based on aid, so your personalized score matters more here than the national average view alone.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Private nonprofit 4-year
The Master's University and Seminary
Santa Clarita, CA
Worth-It Score: 48/100
Median net price: $32,647
Private nonprofit 4-year
Woodbury
Burbank, CA
Worth-It Score: 51/100
Median net price: $33,692
Private nonprofit 4-year
Biola
La Mirada, CA
Worth-It Score: 50/100
Median net price: $31,495
Private nonprofit 4-year
Pitzer
Claremont, CA
Worth-It Score: 65/100
Median net price: $34,191
Private nonprofit 4-year
Menlo
Atherton, CA
Worth-It Score: 59/100
Median net price: $31,100
Common questions about University of Southern California
The median net price at University of Southern California is $32,740 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at private colleges options in California? See the most affordable private colleges in California →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →