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Arizona State University is a large public institution in Tempe, Arizona, within the Phoenix metropolitan area. With its open admissions policy, ASU boasts an acceptance rate of about 90%, which makes it one of the most open major research universities in the U.S. It's a huge school with about 65,174 undergraduate students. Some of the most sought-after disciplines at ASU are Business, Psychology, Biology, Engineering, and Communication & Media Studies. ASU's graduation rate in six years is 68%, and median salaries ten years post-graduation are about INR 43,00,000 (about $52,843).
University of Southern California (USC) is a top-tier private university in Los Angeles, California, in the center of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. It is extremely competitive in admissions with an acceptance rate of around 9.3%. USC is a mid-sized university with approximately 21,023 undergraduate students. Some of the most popular courses are Business, Film & Media Studies, Engineering, Computer Science, and International Relations. USC has a high 92% six-year graduation rate, and its graduates have a median salary of around INR 74,00,000 (or $88,800) when they are ten years out of school.
| Arizona State University | University of Southern California | |
|---|---|---|
| Collegedunia Score | 5.5 sfHSI/ | 5.9 sfHSI/ |
| CtVgo0 | # 172 QS World University 2027 # 200 Times Higher Education 2027 # 127 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 | # 71 Times Higher Education 2027 # 153 QS World University 2027 # 64 Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 |
| Subject Strength | # 95 sQv06Y Engineering Vi2Pqx Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 # 51 sQv06Y Data Science and Analytics Vi2Pqx QS World University 2025 # 166 sQv06Y Medicine Vi2Pqx Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 | # 79 sQv06Y Engineering Vi2Pqx Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 # 56 sQv06Y Medicine Vi2Pqx Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 # 75 sQv06Y Law Vi2Pqx Collegedunia Study Abroad 2026 |
| Programs | K6FNSL -66 +BcTMq -114 uAFC26 -21 | K6FNSL -119 +BcTMq -99 uAFC26 -5 |
| Acceptance Rate | 90.0 % | 10.0 % |
| Cost to Study | 78XRnV 65760 [NgDAAz] 78XRnV 65541 [xcXOsd] 4fro2k + zNMGDV - 22446 j5deyA | 78XRnV 63468 [NgDAAz] 78XRnV 25795 [xcXOsd] 4fro2k + zNMGDV - 22428 j5deyA |
| 9BUHru | Top Recruiters are WP Carey & Co., Goldman Sachs Group, Citigroup, JP Morgan Chase, Intel Corp, Daimler Benz, Rubbermaid, AMERCO, HSBC, Shell oil company, Bank of America, Honeywell International.
| Graduate Employability Ranking 2023: 59 QS World University Ranking :#134 Average salaries are given below:
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| RGCJZe | LOR- 3 letters of recommendation, SOP- Yes, GPA- 3.53 (C+ grade) | 3 to 4 years of work experience for some graduate programs; at least 2 letters of recommendation; 2 to 3-page statement of purpose |
| Campuses and B-Schools | W. P. Carey School of Business | Marshall Business School |
| CollegeDunia Reviews | 7.7/10 FlUcco | 7.8/10 FlUcco |
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| ranking | # 98 sQv06Y Computer Science by Collegedunia.com 2026 # 108 sQv06Y Computer Science by QS World University 2026 # 39 sQv06Y Computer Science by US News 2025 | # 41 sQv06Y Computer Science by Collegedunia.com 2026 # 73 sQv06Y Computer Science by QS World University 2026 # 21 sQv06Y Computer Science by US News 2025 |
| sjq1dk | Duolingo - 115/160IELTS - 7/9TOEFL - 4.5/6 | IELTS - 6.5/9PTE - 61/90TOEFL - 4.5/6 |
| cost to study | Mr9Uej65541 | Mr9Uej |
| documents required | F4a/y1 | F4a/y1 |
| application dates | Dec 1, 2026 (Fall 2027 graduate priority application deadline) | Oct 1, 2026 (Application Deadline for Spring 2027 Intake) Dec 15, 2026 (Scholarship Consideration Application Deadline for Fall 2027 Intake) Jan 15, 2027 (Application Deadline for Fall 2027 Intake) |
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| H1Mbuo | Arizona State University | University of Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| Type of University | University | University |
| Established | 1885 | 1880 |
| eNUc0E | 18:1:1 | 9:1:1 |
| Te91jv | 504+HGqC, 0MEcsHM | 484+HGqC, 52MEcsHM |
| Location Facts | If you get overburdened with study, then you should relax in arranging a party bike with your friends and colleagues. It is one of the funniest experiences around the campus premise. If you are a connoisseur of art, then you must pay a visit to the ceramic art museum. Those pieces of art display the expressionism form at its best. | Has two campuses located in Los Angeles: University Park having Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and many professional schools; Health Science campus having Keck School of Medicine, School of Pharmacy and three teaching hospitals. |
| Library | More than 4.5 million volumes of books along with articles. It is considered to be the 34th largest library located in USA and Canada | Over 22 campus libraries having – Total Volume: 5,919,656; Title Held: 5,007,597; Serials: 77,299; Physical Media: 172,964, Electronic Media: 122,269; Electronic Books: 1,682,067; Electronic Journals: 172,964; |
| Campus Life | Homecoming Lantern Walk, Academic Bowl, Inferno are the major mentioning events that happened on the campus for new students. More than 1000 clubs are there for the students on basis of preferences | Cultural Communities: Asian Pacific American Student Services, LGBT Resource Center, International Services, etc; Graduate, Undergraduate and Residential Student Governance; Volunteer Center; Trojan Marching Band; Relationship & Sexual Violence Prevention Services |
| Hostel | #Housing and meals - $18993 #Transportation - $3453 | #Housing - $14400 |
| Famous Alumni | Reggie Jackson (baseball player), Barry Bonds (baseball player), Dough Dacey (Governor of Arizona), Phil Mickelson (professional golfer), David Spade (actor), Kate Spade (fashion designer), Jimmy Kimmel (TV host), Patt Tillman (American footballer), James Harden (basketball player), etc | Neil Armstrong (astronaut); George Lucas (creator of Star Wars); Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (former Prime Minister of Pakistan); John Wayne (Academy Award winner); Andrew Viterbi (co-founder of Qualcomm Inc.); Will Ferrell (actor) |
| Weather |
Arizona State University and University of Southern California
Subject Strength & World Rankings (2025/2026)
Both ASU and USC are top American universities, although USC is more highly regarded globally in terms of academic prestige. In the QS World University Rankings 2026, ASU is approximately 173rd, whereas USC is significantly higher at 125th. In Times Higher Education 2025, USC is ranked 72nd, whereas ASU is ranked lower.
In subject rankings, ASU is ranked for Engineering, Data Science, and Business, with high placements in U.S. News and QS rankings. USC stands out in Law, Film & Media Studies, Business, and Medicine, with multiple programs ranked in the world's top 20–30. USC's urban setting and professional schools provide it with a competitive advantage in applied and interdisciplinary areas, while ASU's advantage is in innovation, accessibility, and large-scale research programs.
General Information
Arizona State University spans multiple campuses, with its main campus in Tempe, Arizona, covering over 600 acres. It has a massive student population of over 65,000 undergraduates, making it one of the largest public universities in the U.S. Founded in 1885, ASU is known for its inclusive approach and rapid growth in research output.
University of Southern California, established in 1880, is situated in Los Angeles, California, on a 226-acre urban campus. It supports a total enrollment of approximately 48,000 students, including 21,000 undergraduates and a prominent graduate base. USC provides a smaller academic environment than ASU, with a smaller student-faculty ratio and more selective admissions process.
ASU provides a dynamic campus experience with an emphasis on entrepreneurship and innovation, whereas USC provides access for students to the center of entertainment, international business centers, and cultural institutions.
Acceptance Rate & Admission
USC is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of less than 9.3%, whereas ASU is significantly more open, accepting about 90% of applicants. The SAT scores of USC admitted students range from 1440–1550 and ACT scores from 32–35, indicating top academic quality. ASU's average admitted scores are between 1130–1360 SAT and 22–29 ACT, with stronger programs such as Engineering and Business demanding scores more towards the higher side.
USC focuses on holistic admissions and has early decision options available, whereas ASU has a rolling admissions process and is test-optional for most programs.
Research Impact & Facilities
ASU is a preeminent public research university with areas of excellence in sustainability, engineering, and space exploration, bolstered by facilities such as the Biodesign Institute, Fulton Schools of Engineering, and collaborations with NASA. It's renowned for interdisciplinary research and the speed of its funded projects growth.
USC is home to 23 libraries, cutting-edge medical research facilities, and internationally networked institutes such as USC Annenberg School for Communication, Keck School of Medicine, and Viterbi School of Engineering. Situated in the heart of Los Angeles, it offers greater access to real-world data, industry collaborations, and international networks.
Where ASU excels at scale and innovation, USC excels at depth and distinction in specialized graduate and professional research.
Cost & Financial Aid
ASU is a public institution, with in-state tuition of approximately $12,223 and out-of-state tuition at $33,139. USC is private and much more expensive, with a tuition rate of $71,647 per year. USC is generous with financial aid, with an average need-based package of $67,015, and also merit scholarships for high-performing students.
ASU offers merit scholarships such as the New American University Scholarship, and its lower living and tuition costs make it cheaper overall. USC's city environment raises the cost of living, but its financial aid packages tend to break even on the price for qualified students.
Graduate Studies & Research
Both universities provide strong graduate programs. ASU boasts more than 114 master's programs and 21 doctoral programs, with an emphasis on innovation and accessibility. USC provides 124 master's programs and 7 doctoral programs, with top schools in Business, Law, Cinema, and International Affairs.
USC graduate programs are highly embedded with industry, with solid internship streams and international research possibilities. ASU's graduate college is committed to supporting students from application to thesis, with increasing focus on interdisciplinary and applied studies.
Alumni & Career Outcomes
USC has a strong and international alumni network, particularly in media, business, law, and public policy. Some of its notable alumni are George Lucas, Neil Armstrong, and Shonda Rhimes. Ten years after graduation, the median incomes are approximately $85,500, or about INR 71,00,000.
ASU alumni are dispersed over various industries, with the best representation in technology, finance, and government. Intel, Honeywell, JP Morgan Chase, and Goldman Sachs are among the top recruiters. ASU graduates receive a median salary of $52,600, or approximately INR 43,00,000, ten years after graduation.
