New York University vs University of Southern California

New York University is the more selective of the two at 9%, versus 10% at University of Southern California. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

New York University
Most selective
9%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1530
Private · New York
University of Southern California
Most selective
10%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1530
Private · California

New York University vs University of Southern California: the differences that matter

How New York University and University of Southern California stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

New York University and University of Southern California are almost equally selective (9% vs 10%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. New York University leans more on class rank, interview, while University of Southern California puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, New York University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1530 and University of Southern California's is around 1530. Their admitted ranges are nearly identical. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorNew York UniversityUniversity of Southern California
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Class rankimportantconsidered
Standardized test scoresvery importantvery important
Application essayimportantvery important
Recommendationsimportantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesconsideredvery important
Talent / abilityconsideredvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is New York University or University of Southern California harder to get into?

New York University is harder to get into, with a 9% acceptance rate versus 10% at University of Southern California.

What's the difference in SAT scores between New York University and University of Southern California?

New York University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1530, and University of Southern California's is around 1530.

What are my chances at New York University and University of Southern California?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.