Brown University vs University of Southern California (USC)
Nestled on the East Coast, Brown University, and its West Coast counterpart, the University of Southern California (USC), stand as two prominent institutions of higher learning, each offering a distinct academic experience. While Brown, an Ivy League university, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a smaller student body, USC's larger size and diverse student population create a vibrant and dynamic campus. Both universities excel in various academic disciplines, with Brown known for its strengths in the social sciences and humanities, and USC renowned for its programs in film, music, and engineering. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into further details about these two esteemed universities, including acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, to help you make an informed decision about your academic journey.
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![]() Brown University |
![]() University of Southern California |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | Los Angeles, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
Yes | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.5% | 12.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
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Undergraduate:
$85
Graduate:
$90
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SAT range | 1460 - 1570 | 1410 - 1540 |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | 32 - 35 |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | 31.0% |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | 19.0% |
Total number of applicants | 46,568 | 71,031 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,568 | 8,884 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,705 | 3,668 |
Yield rate | 66.4% | 41.3% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,570 | $81,659 |
Average net price | $25,028 | $26,021 |
Tuition | $60,944 | $60,446 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,054
Meal plan:
$6,292
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Room/dormitory:
$10,098
Meal plan:
$6,634
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $55,420 |
72.0%
Average amount $40,690 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
9.0%
Average amount $5,159 |
22.0%
Average amount $4,215 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $27,008 |
2.0%
Average amount $29,056 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,349
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
20,790
Men 48.5% Women 51.5% |
Graduate students |
3,347
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
28,528
Men 44.3% Women 55.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 96.5% | 49.9% |
International students | 18.6% | 23.8% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 5,013 | 8,700 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas | California Texas New York Illinois Florida |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 9:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.8% | 92.0% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 7.2% |
Transferred out | N/A | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
Marketing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
Legal Professions and Studies, Other (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Master's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Real Estate Development (Master's Degrees)
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