University of Southern California — ROI, Cost & Payback
University of Southern California charges a net price of $32,740/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $130,960. Graduates earn a median $92,498 ten years after entry, $44,138/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3 years — a 20-year net return of $751,800, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
University of Southern California's 3-year payback ranks #186 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 86% of them, and #42 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $32,740/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $130,960 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $92,498 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $44,138/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $18,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $751,800 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on University of Southern California's own numbers. Net price $32,740 × 4 years = $130,960 total. Median earnings $92,498 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $44,138 a year of premium. $130,960 ÷ $44,138 = 3 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $751,800. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do University of Southern California students graduate with?
A median $18,000 in federal loans among completers, or 19% of the $92,498 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of University of Southern California students graduate?
92% finish their degree. Spread the $130,960 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $142,348 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is University of Southern California expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $32,740 net price runs $12,835 above the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, or $51,340 more across the full degree.