University of Minnesota Twin Cities vs University of Southern California

University of Minnesota Twin Cities vs University of Southern California

Subject Strength & Global Rankings (2025/2026)

University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a well-respected public research university. University of Minnesota Twin Cities ranks #210 in QS and 87^th in Times Higher Education worldwide with robust subject strengths in Engineering, Computer Science, Agriculture, Medicine, and Social Sciences. The University of Southern California, being a private research giant, is ranked #146 in QS and 72^nd in Times Higher Education. The university has globally acclaimed subject strengths in Business, Film and Media Studies, Engineering, Computer Science, and Social Sciences, with numerous subjects ranked among the top 50–100 in the world.

General Information

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities, established in 1851, is the state's flagship public university and is situated in Minneapolis and Saint Paul. With almost 50,000 students, it is among the largest universities in the country and provides an extensive array of programs in undergraduate, graduate, and professional fields. The University of Southern California, founded in 1880, is a distinguished private university in Los Angeles, California, with approximately 48,000 students. It is renowned for its connections to entertainment, business, and technology fields, and as a top research university with a global presence.

Acceptance Rate & Admissions

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities has an acceptance rate of about 77 percent, although Engineering, Business, and Computer Science programs are much more competitive. The University of Southern California is far more competitive, with a typical acceptance rate of around 10 percent, and draws high-achieving students from all over the world, but especially in Film, Business, and Engineering.

Research Impact & Facilities

The University of Minnesota Twin Cities is an R1: Doctoral University with extremely high research activity and among the premier public research universities in the United States. It boasts more than 300 research centers and institutes, with research of international reputation in health sciences, biotechnology, and agricultural research. The University of Southern California is also an R1 research university, with a heavy focus on interdisciplinary studies, innovation, and industry collaborations. Its areas of strength are medicine, cinematic arts, engineering, and business, and it is aided by being based in Los Angeles for its collaborations in media, technology, and health sciences. 

Cost & Financial Aid

At the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, out-of-state and foreign students usually pay between $25,000–$28,000 a year in tuition. The university offers scholarships and need-based assistance, though prospects are less extensive than at private rivals.The University of Southern California is relatively expensive, with charges for international and domestic students at around $64,000 annually. It does have a lot of financial aid and merit scholarships, though, so it can be competitive for high-achieving students despite the higher baseline price.

Career Outcomes & Alumni Success

University of Minnesota Twin Cities graduates are well placed in Fortune 500 organizations, healthcare systems, research centers, and public service, particularly in Minnesota and the Midwest but increasingly nationally.
University of Southern California graduates enjoy a worldwide network of alumni, particularly diverse and powerful in the entertainment, business, technology, and law industries, with Los Angeles offering unparalleled industry ties. The Trojan alumni network is among the most engaged and impactful in the United States, promoting career opportunities globally. Broadly speaking, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities provides an inclusive, bargain-priced public education with international research stature, while the University of Southern California offers a more exclusive, globally preeminent private education with robust career pipelines in fields such as film, business, and technology.