USC and UCLA are among the world’s most prestigious education institutions, situated in California, USA. Both USC and UCLA are ranked 15th and 28th in the world’s best colleges list, respectively, and getting admission into any of them is a formidable task.
If you are considering both colleges for your post-secondary education, then it becomes important to be fully aware of the culture and facilities provided by both colleges.
To help you out, we will compare the differences between California’s two best institutes in this detailed USC vs. UCLA comparison guide. We will discuss its location, weather, admission eligibility, facilities, fees, and much more. So, let’s get into it.
USC vs. UCLA: Overview
Both campuses are 13.6 miles away from each other, and USC (University of Southern California) was established in 1880, which is a private institute. The school mainly emphasizes the liberal arts, whereas UCLA is a more STEM-based institute.
UCLA was founded in 1881 as California State Normal School and later got its current name, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). UCLA is a public institute, which means it gets funding from the government and provides substantial financial aid to students.
Both schools are highly honored and ranked in the top 50 universities in the world. This makes them among the toughest institutes to get admission to, but if you are interested in or have been qualified for both universities, here are some more detailed comparisons to help you narrow down your decision.
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USC vs. UCLA: Location and Weather
USC is located near the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and the weather there in the summer is generally quite dry, and the maximum recorded temperature is 54 °C. During winter, the minimum temperature would be around 10 °C.
Speaking of neighborhood, the area near the campus isn’t that safe, especially if you are an outsider. There are cases of mugging near the campus, so don’t wear something fancy or expensive near that area. Although the walls of the USC campus are quite safe, students are advised not to leave campus at late night for their safety.
UCLA is much safer and situated near the wealthiest part of Los Angeles. In terms of weather, the temperature almost remains the same, as both institutions are only a few miles away.
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USC vs. UCLA: Admission Requirement
Being a highly regarded and top-notch institute, getting placed in any of the two colleges is not that easy. The acceptance rate of USC is almost 10%, and UCLA is close to 9%.
There are different forms you need to fill out to get placed, but there are some common requirements you should meet before applying for any of these.
- High school certificate
- Recommendation letter
- Essays
- SAT, AP, and ACT scores (mainly for USC)
- IELTS and TOEFL for international students
- Personal statement
- Achievements or excel in extracurricular activities
Apart from these basic requirements, you should have a minimum of 3.4 GPA for UCLA and 3.8 for UCLA, and a 1300+ SAT score to get into such a competitive college.
Moreover, the preference is given not just based on academics, but also achievements and participation in non-scholastic activities such as sports, speech, music, etc.
Both institutes are perfect for grooming such talents. Moving further, let’s discover the facilities provided by the schools.
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USC vs UCLA: Facilities and Co-Curriculum Activities
Regarding the facilities provided, both institutes are well-versed in sports fields, running tracks, libraries, gyms, and so on.
UCLA provides a wide range of facilities and DIY workshops such as a bike repair shop where you and your friends can build or repair your bicycle to encourage eco-friendly transportation. Additionally, there is a Drake Stadium, which hosts events like 400-meter running, javelin throwing, and relay races. Students can also utilize the facilities, such as a swimming pool, basketball court, tennis court, gymnasium, and rock wall climbing.
The facilities in USC don’t lag as it has a wide array of facilities, such as the Lyon Recreational Room, where you can work out, use the conference room, and use the racket ball court.
Additionally, USC has one of the grandest football arenas, which is the LA Memorial Coliseum. Some other fields include the Deadaux Baseball Field, Uytengsu Aquatic Center, and John McKay Center, a 110,00 square foot (ca. 1,022 m²) facility with computer rooms, offices for coaches, and lockers.
In terms of sports competition, both USC and UCLA have a rich history of sports rivalry that began in 1929, when USC crushed UCLA in the opening game of the national championship.
USC has a better participation rate and is superior in terms of national titles as well. USC has excelled in various activities such as speech, debate, and quiz competitions, due to its supportive environment.
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UCLA and USC: Academics and Fees
Being a public college, the annual fee of UCLA is around $37,000 for in-state students, and it may go up to $65,000 for out-of-state students. Whereas, the tuition fee for USC may cost you around $63,000.
However, both universities provide financial aid, where students are not required to pay the full cost. The main source of funding for UCLA is through the state government, and USC generates its income through student fees and private donors.
UCLA offers 141 majors and 90+ minor subjects, while USC is offering 150 major subjects. Both USC and UCLA have a strong research facility, encouraging everyone to broaden their knowledge. UCLA laboratories are more renowned and have some of the best medical facilities to provide. An additional benefit of USC is that you can earn an online degree with the help of the blended learning model.
Many popular celebrities have graduated from such prestigious institutes, let’s take a look at some of the most eminent alumni of USC and UCLA in the following section.
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UCLA and USC: Notable Alumni
Institutes filled with notable alumni are a testament to excellence and commitment to shaping great students.
Being a part of the most renowned institute, it becomes important for the students to fully utilize the surrounding resources. Making connections with renowned alumni will help you with your career and provide more valuable insights related to career opportunities.
Some popular alumni of the USC institute are:
Whereas the alumni of UCLA are filled with renowned American directors, actors, and athletes, some of them are:
These are the notable alumni of USC and UCLA, as both universities have a valuable professional network. However, the choice to choose a college comes down to one’s aspiration and interest in a specific field.
Which One Has Better Campus Life?
Campus lifestyle and culture are also important because they help students by providing a nurturing environment in which they can develop in many ways.
Campus Size
UCLA campus is much bigger than USC, spreading across 419 acres of land. In comparison, the USC campus size is just 226 acres, and it has a separate health science campus of 79 acres. This makes USC denser as it has around 47,000+ students and the student-to-faculty ratio is 9:1. On the other hand, UCLA has over 49,000+ students with a ratio of 18:1.
Diversity and Culture
Due to its huge campus, UCLA has more diverse students. This diversity leads to the acceptance and acknowledgment of different cultures in students, and UCLA also has a strong policy against racial discrimination.
The major difference between both institutes is that USC offers a supportive and creative environment, while UCLA has a more self-motivated and academically focused environment. However, the students of UCLA are not lagging in extracurricular activities, as they have a wide network of student clubs.
Dorm Life
Both schools offer safe and comfortable hostels for students. Those who prefer to live within the campus have better access to college facilities and tend to perform better in academics. USC charges a fee for rooms, whereas UCLA dorm rooms are free of charge.
Both campuses offer vibrant and unique experiences, and each has its distinctive characteristics. Ultimately, the experiences may differ, but if you want to explore the more vivid dimensions of college life, UCLA would be a better choice.
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Final Verdict: Choosing Between USC and UCLA
We have covered everything in this detailed comparison of USC vs UCLA. Now coming to the main gist, which college between these two would be a viable option?
If academics are the main concern, there is no doubt that UCLA is best equipped to provide the best education in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. On the other hand, for business management and liberal arts, USC would be a better option.
Moreover, if you are a non-resident student and anxious about cultural differences and discrimination, you don’t have to worry because both colleges offer a welcoming atmosphere.
Ultimately, the decision to choose between USC and UCLA comes up to your needs and requirements. You need to analyze which institute fits best in your budget and how much financial aid you’ll be getting. You should also check whether their admission benchmarks align with your results.
Additionally, you can explore other prestigious colleges in the United States, such as Boston College and Boston University.
So this concludes the comprehensive comparison of UCLA vs USC. We have provided you with crucial information to help you elucidate your doubts. We hope you found this article useful.
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FAQs
Ans:
UCLA is renowned for its STEM subjects, the institute has labs with well-equipped apparatus. Additionally, UCLA is in the top 15 medical colleges in the world.
Ans: Both UCLA and USC are elite colleges of the world, and getting into any of the institutes is a big deal. The acceptance rates are fairly similar, with USC at 9.8% and UCLA at 9%.
Ans: Yes, it would be appropriate to say that USC is one of the most expensive colleges, with tuition fees of around $55,000. Most of the students at USC belong to wealthy families.
Ans: The campus of UCLA is a lot bigger, but the USC campus is also quite big and has beautiful buildings.
Sources:
University of South California Homepage –
USCUniversity of California Los Angeles –
UCLA
