University of Southern California (USC) vs NU Pro

When it comes to pursuing a professional degree, University of Southern California (USC) and Northeastern University stand out as two prominent institutions offering a wide range of programs. While both universities share a commitment to academic excellence and career preparation, they differ in several key aspects. USC, located in the heart of Los Angeles, boasts a lower acceptance rate and a more diverse student body compared to Northeastern, which is situated in the vibrant city of Boston. In terms of popular majors, USC excels in fields like film and television production, while Northeastern is renowned for its programs in engineering, computer science, and business. Additionally, Northeastern's distinctive co-op program, which integrates classroom learning with professional experience, sets it apart from USC. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a comprehensive comparison table that delves into these differences and more, including graduation rates, tuition fees, and notable alumni. Explore the table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and career goals.
Northeastern University Professional Programs logo

Northeastern University Professional Programs

University of Southern California logo

University of Southern California

Overview

Location Boston, Massachusetts Los Angeles, California
Campus setting City: Large City: Large
College type 4 year 4 year
Control/business model Private (Non Profit) Private (Non Profit)
Calendar system Non Traditional Semester
Degrees offered Undergraduate and Graduate Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate 96.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate N/A 12.5%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $85

Graduate: $90
SAT range N/A 1410 - 1540
ACT range N/A 32 - 35
Students submitting SAT score 31.0%
Students submitting ACT score 19.0%
Total number of applicants 71,031
Total number of admissions given out 8,884
Admitted students who chose to enroll 3,668
Yield rate 41.3%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) Not required N/A
High school GPA N/A Required
Recommendation letters N/A Required
High school transcript N/A Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) N/A Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price $81,659
Average net price $26,021
Tuition $60,446
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $10,098

Meal plan: $6,634
Available payment plans
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

72.0%
Average amount $40,690
Students receiving federal student loan 22.0%
Average amount $4,215
Students taking out private loans 2.0%
Average amount $29,056

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 4,795
Men 43.0% Women 57.0%
20,790
Men 48.5% Women 51.5%
Graduate students 6,123
Men 42.9% Women 57.1%
28,528
Men 44.3% Women 55.7%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students N/A 49.9%
International students 33.2% 23.8%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Large
Dormitory capacity N/A 8,700
First year students are required to live on campus? N/A No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from N/A California Texas New York Illinois Florida

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Business
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Health Professions
  • Education
  • Biological and Biomedical Sciences
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
  • Computer and Information Science
  • Public Administration and Social Service
Students to faculty ratio 15:1 9:1
Institutional accreditation New England Commission on Higher Education Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission

Outcome

Graduation rate N/A 92.0%
Dropout rate N/A 7.2%
Transferred out N/A N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Taxation (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $103,863
  • Year 2: $100,518
  • Year 3: $122,957
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $113,631
  • Year 2: $110,878
  • Year 3: $121,357
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $105,065
  • Year 2: $101,072
  • Year 3: $110,392
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $95,288
  • Year 2: $89,413
  • Year 3: $108,000
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: N/A
  • Year 2: $86,867
  • Year 3: $104,196
Finance and Financial Management Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $100,801
  • Year 2: $89,415
  • Year 3: $103,529
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $98,777
  • Year 2: $86,867
  • Year 3: $102,904
Biotechnology (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $79,825
  • Year 2: $80,556
  • Year 3: $98,428
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $93,339
  • Year 2: $92,124
  • Year 3: $97,859
Medical Illustration and Informatics (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $80,886
  • Year 2: $91,744
  • Year 3: $94,172
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $104,166
  • Year 2: $187,234
  • Year 3: $221,418
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $167,228
  • Year 2: $163,225
  • Year 3: $161,094
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $106,344
  • Year 2: $126,683
  • Year 3: $148,434
Marketing (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $113,473
  • Year 2: $117,572
  • Year 3: $147,381
Computer Science (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $110,796
  • Year 2: $116,083
  • Year 3: $146,357
Legal Professions and Studies, Other (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
  • Year 1: $79,420
  • Year 2: $88,198
  • Year 3: $140,330
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $127,841
  • Year 2: $131,090
  • Year 3: $140,129
Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $135,775
  • Year 2: $135,393
  • Year 3: $136,848
Law (First Professional Degrees)
  • Year 1: $121,676
  • Year 2: $101,072
  • Year 3: $134,632
Real Estate Development (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $119,991
  • Year 2: $122,038
  • Year 3: $125,784