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Compare colleges

Up to 4 at once. Figures are from the 2022-23 reporting year and are averages, so they will differ from what any one student pays or experiences.

  • National University
  • University of Southern California

What stands out

National University has the lower average net price, University of Southern California reports the higher graduation rate, University of Southern California reports higher median earnings ten years on, while University of Southern California leaves graduates with less median federal debt. Which of those matters more depends on what you need, and none of it predicts your own cost or your own chance of admission.

National University compared with University of Southern California
MetricNational UniversitySan Diego, CAPrivate nonprofit · 4-yearLowest net priceUniversity of Southern CaliforniaLos Angeles, CAPrivate nonprofit · 4-yearHighest graduation rateHighest retentionLowest median debtHighest median earnings
Cost
Average net priceWhat students on federal aid actually paid per year, after grants.$22,878lowest$32,740
Published costSticker price before aid. Few students pay it.$33,978$90,300
In-state tuition$13,284$72,097
Out-of-state tuition$13,284$72,097
Admissions
Acceptance rateNot reported10%
SAT midpointNot reported1,475
ACT midpointNot reported34
Outcomes
Graduation rateWithin 150% of normal time. Excludes transfer students.42%92%highest
Retention rateFirst-year students who come back for a second year.53%96%highest
Median debt at graduationFederal loans only. Private and parent loans are not included.$25,000$18,000lowest
Median earnings, 10 yrsReflects the subjects a college teaches and where it sits, not only its teaching.$67,548$92,498highest
Campus
Undergraduates10,79420,443

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2022-23. Blank figures mean the college did not report that measure, not that the value is zero. Acceptance rate and enrollment carry no highlight because neither a lower acceptance rate nor a larger campus is better in itself. How this works.