loading 6,000+ schools…

Compare University of Southern California vs University of the People

Los Angeles, CA · Pasadena, CA

University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of the People
Cost
Price after aid (average)$32,740/yrNo data reported
Price after aid (family income under $30k)$13,516/yrNo data reported
Typical loan debt at graduation$18,000No data reported
Price after aid ($30k–$48k income)$14,394/yrNo data reported
Price after aid ($48k–$75k income)$19,539/yrNo data reported
Price after aid ($75k–$110k income)$24,976/yrNo data reported
Price after aid (income over $110k)$56,116/yrNo data reported
Typical loan payment after graduation$191/moNo data reported
Room & board (on campus)$19,931/yrNo data reported
Room & board (off campus)$19,931/yr$2,001/yr
Borrowers who default0%No data reported
Books & supplies$1,200/yr$0/yr
Other living costs (on campus)$2,006/yrNo data reported
Sticker price (before aid)$90,300/yrNo data reported
Tuition (in-state)$72,097/yr$1,400/yr
Tuition (out-of-state)$72,097/yr$1,400/yr
Students with Pell Grants22%0%
Students taking federal loans24%0%
Getting in
Students who get accepted9.8%12%
SAT range (middle 50%)1450–1550No data reported
SAT average1495No data reported
ACT range (middle 50%)32–35No data reported
ACT sections (middle 50%)English 33–35 · Math 29–35No data reported
Admissions data fromFall 2023No data reported
Applications received80,808No data reported
Students accepted8,094No data reported
Students who enrolled3,633No data reported
Accepted students who enroll45%No data reported
Enrolled who sent SAT scores32%No data reported
Enrolled who sent ACT scores14%No data reported
High-school GPARequiredNo data reported
High-school transcriptRequiredNo data reported
EssayRequiredNo data reported
Recommendation lettersRequiredNo data reported
Class rankOptional (considered if sent)No data reported
College-prep programRequiredNo data reported
Demonstrated competenciesRequiredNo data reported
Work experienceOptional (considered if sent)No data reported
English proficiency testRequiredNo data reported
Other admission testsNot consideredNo data reported
Legacy consideredOptional (considered if sent)No data reported
SAT/ACT policyOptional (considered if sent)Open admission (everyone qualified gets in)
Graduation & earnings
Students who graduate92%34%
Freshmen who come back96%No data reported
Typical earnings 10 years in$92,498/yrNo data reported
Earnings range 10 years in$58,692–$141,338No data reported
Finish within 8 years (anywhere)93%No data reported
White students graduating92%30%
Black students graduating85%30%
Hispanic students graduating91%39%
Asian students graduating95%63%
Typical earnings 6 years in$74,461/yrNo data reported
Earn more than a HS grad86%No data reported
Graduate on time74%17%
Pell students who graduate90%No data reported
First-gen students who finish85%No data reported
Low-income students who finish85%No data reported
Students who transfer outNo data reported1%
Typical earnings 8 years in$87,601/yrNo data reported
Majors & programs
Top 3 programsBusiness, Management & Marketing 22% · Social Sciences 11% · Visual & Performing Arts 11%Business, Management & Marketing 53% · Computer & Information Sciences 33% · Health Professions 14%
Most popular programBusiness, Management & Marketing — 22% of degreesBusiness, Management & Marketing — 53% of degrees
2nd most popular programSocial Sciences — 11% of degreesComputer & Information Sciences — 33% of degrees
3rd most popular programVisual & Performing Arts — 11% of degreesHealth Professions — 14% of degrees
4th most popular programCommunication & Journalism — 8% of degreesNo data reported
5th most popular programComputer & Information Sciences — 8% of degreesNo data reported
Highest-paying major (1 year out)Law — $183,063/yrNo data reported
Degrees in STEM25%33%
Campus & students
Undergrad enrollment20,44322,688
Students per professor9 : 128 : 1
Graduate students25,9365,060
Average professor pay$17,924/moNo data reported
Full-time professors59%No data reported
Fully onlineNoYes — fully online
Accredited byWestern Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University CommissionNo data reported
Median family income$45,149No data reported
SettingCity (large)City (midsize)
LocationLos Angeles, CAPasadena, CA
RegionFar WestFar West
Founded18802012
Public or privatePrivate (nonprofit)Private (nonprofit)
Main degree offeredBachelor's degreesBachelor's degrees
Carnegie classificationDoctoral Universities: Very High Research ActivityMaster's Colleges & Universities: Larger Programs
Main or branch campusMain campusBranch campus
International students13%0%
Men48%53%
Women52%47%
White students26%4.7%
Black students7.1%2.6%
Hispanic or Latino students20%2.7%
Asian students23%1.6%
Two or more races6.4%0.5%
Other / not reported4.4%88%
Special typeNoneNone
First-generation students25%No data reported
Part-time students1.8%34%
Students age 25+61%73%
Spent on teaching per student$49,674/yr$199/yr
Endowment$8.1B$1.6M
Campus life
Campus data from20232023
On-campus housingYes — dorms on campusNo — no campus housing
Beds in campus housing8,500No data reported
Required to live on campusNoNo data reported
Room charge (campus housing)$11,908/yrNo data reported
Meal plan charge$7,290/yrNo data reported
Meal plan offeredYesNo
Meals per weekVaries by weekNo data reported
Academic calendarSemesterOther academic year
Federal designationNoneNone
Study abroadYesNo
Undergraduate researchYesNo
ROTCYes — Army, Navy, Air ForceNo
Accepts AP creditYesYes
Accepts dual-enrollment creditYesYes
Credit for life experienceNoNo
Online classesYesYes
Whole degrees onlineNoYes
Weekend & evening classesNoYes
Teacher certificationNoNo
Academic & career counselingYesYes
Job help while you studyYesNo
Job placement for graduatesYesNo
On-campus day careYesNo
Program for students with intellectual disabilitiesNoNo
Yellow Ribbon (GI Bill) schoolYesNo
Credit for military trainingYesNo
Student veteran organizationYesNo
Tuition payment planYesNo
Guaranteed (locked) tuitionNoNo
Prepaid tuition planYesNo
Athletics
Athletics data from2024-25No data reported
College sports levelNCAA Division I-FBSNo intercollegiate athletics reported
Football teamYesNo data reported
Varsity teams20No data reported
Student athletes629No data reported
Athletic scholarships$28.6MNo data reported
Athletics budget$234.0MNo data reported
Athletics revenue$234.0MNo data reported
Recruiting spend$6.8MNo data reported

Data: U.S. Department of Education — College Scorecard 2026-06-10, EADA athletics, IPEDS admissions — each on its own survey year. Campus life: IPEDS institutional characteristics, retrieved from the Urban Institute Education Data Portal (ODC-BY 1.0). Founding year, logo, campus photo and links via Wikidata / Wikipedia. SHMACS is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any institution shown.