Cornell University vs. University of Southern California (USC) Overview
You’re wrestling with a tough question: “Should I go to Cornell University or USC?“
Cornell University
University of Southern California (USC)
Can you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesCan you get in?
Calculate Your ChancesThis complete guide analyzes both the quantitative and qualitative differences between Cornell University and University of Southern California (USC). This comparison is particularly valuable at understanding the cultural nuances between the colleges since it uses student videos to capture the “vibes” of campus - these videos are exclusively available on CampusReel :)
Differences between Cornell University and University of Southern California (USC)
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between Cornell University and University of Southern California (USC). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.
| Cornell University | University of Southern California (USC) | |
|---|---|---|
| In-state Tuition | $49,116 | $50,277 |
| Net Price | $29,711 | $29,174 |
| Average Financial Aid | $36,611 | $33,822 |
| Total Undergraduates | 14226 | 18519 |
| Average SAT Scores | 1330 - 1530 | 1270 - 1500 |
| Acceptance Rate | 15 | 18 |
| Location | 300 Day Hall | University Park |
| City Name | Ithaca | Los Angeles |
WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, University of Southern California (USC) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between Ithaca and Los Angeles. Cornell University is in a Mid-Atlantic and USC is in a Mountain - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools
Is Cornell University or University of Southern California (USC) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then Cornell University is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that Cornell University is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, University of Southern California (USC) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.
You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.
How Do Cornell University Dorms Compare to housing Options at USC?
Both colleges provide on-campus living options. Cornell University charges for on-campus living, while USC charges N/A for on-campus living. Most importantly, though, check out the video below for a sample of dorm tours at each school.
Cornell University and USC student body differences
The table below helps demonstrate the student body differences as well.
| Cornell University , % | USC,% | |
|---|---|---|
| White | 40.93 | 40.129999999999995 |
| Hispanic | 12.13 | 13.8 |
| Black | 6.0600000000000005 | 4.21 |
| Foreign | 9.67 | 13.4 |
| Others | 31.2 | 28.5 |
How different is the Cornell University campus compared to University of Southern California (USC) campus?
The Cornell University campus is located in Ithaca, NY and is characterized as City: Small (population less than 100,000). The USC campus is located in Los Angeles, CA and is characterized as City: Large (population of 250,000 or more).
Which school gives more financial aid?
Cornell University provides $36,611 whereas USC provides an average of $33,822.
How does Cornell University academics compare to USC?
When analyzing academics between Cornell University and University of Southern California (USC) we’ll look at both what current students are studying and also where they end up after graduation. After all, college should prepare you for a career! Analyzing each school’s outcomes is super valuable to understand the value of the degree.
| Majors | Cornell University | USC |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture agriculture operations and related sciences | 452 | N/A |
| Natural resources and conservation | 59 | 49 |
| Architecture and related services | 134 | 238 |
| Area ethnic cultural gender and group studies | 31 | 17 |
| Communication journalism and related programs | 85 | 423 |
| Computer and information sciences and support services | 347 | 217 |
| Communications technologies technicians and support services | N/A | N/A |
| Personal and culinary services | N/A | N/A |
| Engineering | 614 | 473 |
| Education | 1 | N/A |
| Engineering technologies and engineering related fields | N/A | N/A |
Which is better: Cornell University or University of Southern California (USC)?
We’ve compared dorm life, costs, outcomes and more to provide the most complete comparison between Cornell University and USC. But, you’re smart enough to know that numbers paint a terrible picture for truly understanding what each college and community is like. And, the real answer to which school is better is: the school that’s right for you. No matter who you ask, if they know what they’re talking about, the answer is the same: the “better” school is whatever is the best fit for you personally. That’s why it’s extremely important to check out all the videos on CampusReel for each school.
How does Cornell University social life compare to USC?
It’s tough to understand the nuances of social life with data alone. That’s why we’ve brought in real student videos to show how Cornell University social life differs from USC.
Check here.
Check here.