Head-to-Head Comparison
Barnard College vs University of Southern California
- Barnard Wins
- 15
- Tied
- 17
- Southern California Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Barnard College offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $28,800 vs University of Southern California's $32,740, Barnard College delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Barnard College benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $80,516 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Barnard
- Lower cost: Average net price of $28,800, roughly $3,940 a year less
Southern California
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $92,498 ten years after enrollment, 15% more than Barnard College
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Barnard graduates concentrate in Social Sciences (29% of degrees); Southern California in Business & Marketing (22%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of Southern California over Barnard College. Median earnings of $92,498 ten years after enrollment vs $80,516.
Pick Barnard College over University of Southern California. Net price $28,800 vs $32,740.
Pick University of Southern California over Barnard College. 3.9% mobility rate vs 3.5%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Barnard College and University of Southern California are close on paper, but Barnard College wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Barnard College is the harder admit. It takes 9% of applicants, while University of Southern California takes 10%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,520 to 1,495.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Barnard College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Barnard College comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $28,800, about $3,940 a year below University of Southern California's $32,740.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $15,760 before any change in aid. Choosing Barnard College leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Southern California graduates report median earnings of $92,498, compared with $80,516 at Barnard College. That is a 15% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Southern California has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.22x.
So what: An earnings gap of 15% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Moving people up
University of Southern California does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.9%; at Barnard College, it is 3.5%. University of Southern California also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 7.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 6.5%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Southern California offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Barnard College to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Southern California for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Barnard College saves about $3,940 a year, yet University of Southern California graduates earn $11,982 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Barnard College is harder to get into, with a 9% admit rate, but University of Southern California posts the higher mobility rate, at 3.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Barnard College concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while University of Southern California leans toward Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Barnard College has less business program depth, and University of Southern California offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $32,740 runs well above Barnard College's $28,800.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Southern California's enrollment of 20,443 far exceeds Barnard College's 3,264.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Barnard holds onto its admits more tightly: 67% of admitted students enroll, versus 40% at Southern California — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Barnard offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Southern California does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Barnard College
New York, NY · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 9%, Barnard College attracts a driven and academically ambitious group of students. It's a great fit for those who are passionate about the liberal arts and sciences, and you’ll find a vibrant selection of programs here, including Social Sciences, Biology, Psychology, Computer Science, and the Visual and Performing Arts. The close-knit community in the heart of New York City offers a unique blend of rigorous academics and cultural experiences.
After graduation, Barnard alumni see impressive earnings, with a median income of $80,516 after ten years. This level of financial success is a clear indicator of the value of a Barnard degree in today’s job market. The school’s strong graduation rate of 93% speaks volumes about student support and engagement, making it likely that graduates will find their footing in a competitive landscape.
In terms of affordability, the net price after aid stands at $28,800, which is manageable given the potential earning power of graduates. With a median debt of $18,000, students tend to graduate with a reasonable financial burden. Those who thrive here are often those who are not only academically inclined but also eager to engage with the diverse opportunities the city has to offer, making Barnard a launching pad for future success.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit
The University of Southern California has an impressive graduation rate of 92%. This reflects the institution's strong commitment to student success and academic support. Students here are likely to find a community that encourages them to complete their degrees on time.
According to data from Opportunity Insights, while specific mobility metrics are not available, the high graduation rate suggests that many students are able to improve their economic prospects through education. Graduates from USC earn a median salary of $92,498 a decade after leaving, indicating a solid return on investment for their education.
The cost of attendance at USC is $32,740, with a median debt of $18,000 for those who borrow. This financial landscape makes it essential for prospective students to consider their funding options. Students who thrive at USC often have a clear focus on their career paths, particularly in fields like business, arts, and technology.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Southern California is featured on the Best Online Colleges in California ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Barnard's top program is Sociology (29% of enrollment), while Southern California leads with Business Administration (22%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Barnard) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Southern California).
The two schools feed different job markets. Barnard College is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, Psychology, while University of Southern California concentrates in Business & Marketing, Visual & Performing Arts, Communications. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Barnard College or University of Southern California?
Barnard College is harder to get into, admitting 9% of applicants compared with 10% at University of Southern California.
Which is more affordable, Barnard College or University of Southern California?
Barnard College is more affordable, with an average net price of $28,800 after aid versus $32,740 at University of Southern California.
Do Barnard College or University of Southern California graduates earn more?
University of Southern California graduates earn more: median earnings of $92,498 ten years after enrollment, versus $80,516 at Barnard College.
Which has a better graduation rate, Barnard College or University of Southern California?
Barnard College has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 92%.
Barnard College vs University of Southern California: which is better for social mobility?
University of Southern California is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.9% versus 3.5%.
Should you choose Barnard College or University of Southern California?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Barnard College if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Southern California if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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