University of Southern California (USC) vs Virginia Tech

Envision yourself immersed in the vibrant energy of Los Angeles or surrounded by the scenic beauty of Blacksburg, Virginia. The University of Southern California (USC) and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) offer distinct experiences, each with its own unique strengths. While USC boasts a lower acceptance rate and a higher graduation rate, Virginia Tech attracts a larger student body and offers a wider range of undergraduate programs. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the details of these two esteemed institutions, considering factors such as acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation outcomes. Discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences, setting the stage for an enriching and transformative college journey.

	University of Southern California	Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Overview
Location	Los Angeles, California	Blacksburg, Virginia
Campus setting	City: Large	City: Small
College type	4 year	4 year
Control/business model	Private (Non Profit)	Public
Calendar system	Semester	Semester
Degrees offered	Undergraduate and Graduate	Undergraduate and Graduate
Students retention rate	96.0%	92.0%
Common app member	Yes	Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission
Acceptance rate	12.5%	56.5%
Application fees	Undergraduate: $85 Graduate: $90	Undergraduate: $60 Graduate: $75
SAT range	1410 - 1540	1210 - 1410
ACT range	32 - 35	26 - 32
Students submitting SAT score	31.0%	83.0%
Students submitting ACT score	19.0%	35.0%
Total number of applicants	71,031	42,054
Total number of admissions given out	8,884	23,746
Admitted students who chose to enroll	3,668	6,758
Yield rate	41.3%	28.5%
Test scores (SAT/ACT)	N/A	N/A
High school GPA	Required	Required
Recommendation letters	Required	Not required
High school transcript	Not required	Not required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL)	Required	Required

Tuition and Fees
Sticker price	$81,659	In state: $30,104 Out of state: $49,787
Average net price	$26,021	$20,109
Tuition	$60,446	In state: $11,750 Out of state: $30,829
Room & board	Room/dormitory: $10,098 Meal plan: $6,634	Room/dormitory: $5,890 Meal plan: $4,736
Available payment plans	Prepaid tuition plan Tuition payment plan	Tuition payment plan Other alternative tuition plan

Financial Aid
Students receiving financial aid (Grants & scholarships)	72.0% Average amount $40,690	58.0% Average amount $8,018
Students receiving federal student loan	22.0% Average amount $4,215	40.0% Average amount $5,316
Students taking out private loans	2.0% Average amount $29,056	9.0% Average amount $20,728

Students and Campus
Undergraduate students	20,790 Men 48.5% Women 51.5%	29,760 Men 57.3% Women 42.7%
Graduate students	28,528 Men 44.3% Women 55.7%	7,519 Men 56.5% Women 43.5%
Racial/ethnic diversity	Moderate	Low
Out-of-state students	49.9%	39.5%
International students	23.8%	9.9%
Campus local/setting	City: Large	City: Small
Dormitory capacity	8,700	9,471
First year students are required to live on campus?	No	No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from	California Texas New York Illinois Florida	Virginia Maryland New Jersey North Carolina Pennsylvania

Academics
Popular study areas	Business Health Professions Engineering Computer and Information Science Public Administration and Social Service	Engineering Business Family and Consumer Sciences Computer and Information Science Natural Resources and Conservation
Students to faculty ratio	9:1	14:1
Institutional accreditation	Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission	Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome
Graduation rate	92.0%	86.6%
Dropout rate	7.2%	12.3%
Transferred out	N/A	N/A
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)	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	Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $105,287 Year 2: $113,246 Year 3: $125,427 Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $97,383 Year 2: $96,691 Year 3: $106,931 Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $82,448 Year 2: $88,678 Year 3: $96,747 Veterinary Medicine (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $76,172 Year 2: N/A Year 3: $93,580 Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $75,104 Year 2: $78,488 Year 3: $90,164 Public Administration (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $59,370 Year 2: $75,518 Year 3: $87,658 Educational Administration and Supervision (Doctoral Degrees) Year 1: $81,573 Year 2: $91,211 Year 3: $84,990 Mechanical Engineering (Master's Degrees) Year 1: $80,460 Year 2: $73,635 Year 3: $83,712 Chemical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $72,805 Year 2: $73,272 Year 3: $82,738 Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods (Bachelor's Degrees) Year 1: $67,610 Year 2: $70,680 Year 3: $81,822

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between USC and Virginia Tech?

USC is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California, known for its strong programs in film, communication, business, and engineering. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, is a public land-grant university in Blacksburg, Virginia, renowned for its engineering, agriculture, architecture, and science programs. USC has a more urban campus environment, while Virginia Tech offers a more traditional college town experience. USC's tuition is significantly higher than Virginia Tech's, especially for in-state Virginia residents.
Which university is better for engineering?

Both USC and Virginia Tech have excellent engineering programs, but they have different strengths. Virginia Tech is particularly strong in traditional engineering fields like civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering, often ranking among the top public engineering schools. USC also has strong engineering programs, especially in fields like computer science, electrical engineering, and biomedical engineering, and benefits from its location in a major tech hub. Consider your specific engineering interests when deciding.
How do the campus environments compare?

USC's campus is located in the heart of Los Angeles, offering a vibrant urban environment with access to numerous cultural and professional opportunities. Virginia Tech's campus is situated in Blacksburg, a classic college town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, providing a more traditional and close-knit campus community. USC offers a more diverse and fast-paced environment, while Virginia Tech provides a more relaxed and nature-oriented setting.
What is the cost of attendance at USC versus Virginia Tech?

USC is a private university, so its tuition is significantly higher than Virginia Tech's, especially for out-of-state students. Virginia Tech, as a public university, offers lower tuition rates for Virginia residents. Be sure to factor in living expenses, which can be higher in Los Angeles than in Blacksburg. Check each university's financial aid website for specific cost breakdowns and scholarship opportunities.
Which school is known for its school spirit and traditions?

Both USC and Virginia Tech have strong school spirit, but they express it differently. USC is known for its Trojan Marching Band, its rivalry with UCLA, and its strong alumni network. Virginia Tech is famous for its 'Hokie Stone' architecture, its Corps of Cadets, and its enthusiastic fan base, especially at football games. Both schools offer a vibrant and engaging campus life with numerous traditions.
How do the academic cultures differ?

USC's academic culture is often described as collaborative and interdisciplinary, with a strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. Virginia Tech's academic culture is known for its rigorous engineering and science programs, its hands-on learning opportunities, and its focus on practical applications. USC benefits from its proximity to various industries in Los Angeles, while Virginia Tech emphasizes research and development in its core areas of expertise.
What are the career opportunities like after graduation from each school?

USC's location in Los Angeles provides access to a wide range of career opportunities in entertainment, media, technology, and business. Virginia Tech's strong engineering and science programs lead to excellent career prospects in those fields, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Both universities have strong career services departments to help students find internships and jobs after graduation. USC's alumni network is particularly strong in California, while Virginia Tech's network is well-established in the eastern United States.
Which school is more diverse?

USC generally has a more diverse student body in terms of ethnicity, nationality, and socioeconomic background due to its location in a major metropolitan area and its private status, which allows it to draw students from across the globe. Virginia Tech, while becoming increasingly diverse, historically draws a larger percentage of its students from within Virginia. Both universities are committed to fostering inclusive campus environments.
What are the strengths of each school's location?

USC's location in Los Angeles offers unparalleled access to the entertainment industry, a thriving tech scene, and a diverse cultural landscape. Virginia Tech's location in Blacksburg provides a more peaceful and nature-oriented environment, with easy access to outdoor activities and a strong sense of community. Los Angeles offers a wider range of professional and cultural opportunities, while Blacksburg provides a more traditional college town experience.
How do the research opportunities compare?

Both USC and Virginia Tech are major research universities with significant funding and opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to get involved in research. USC has strengths in areas like medicine, engineering, and communication, while Virginia Tech excels in engineering, agriculture, and science. Students should explore the research labs and faculty at each university to find opportunities that align with their interests.

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