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Columbia University vs USC

Columbia University and University of Southern California are close in cost for Indian students. Here's how they compare on fees, living costs, programs and funding.

  • Columbia University: ₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore
  • USC: ₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore
  • Columbia University cheaper by ≈ ₹0
  • 5 shared programs

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Quick answer

Columbia University or USC: which is better for Indian students?

Columbia University costs less: about ₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore in total versus ₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore for USC — a difference of roughly ₹0. Columbia University is known for Ivy League university in Manhattan: engineering, data science and finance; USC for Viterbi School of Engineering, home to many Indian MS students. Both offer Computer Science, Data Science and Electrical & Electronics Engineering, so compare those program pages side by side.

Ask on WhatsAppUpdated · Reviewed by the Visa Edu Loans admissions & finance desk

Official sources: Columbia University — official website · University of Southern California — official website

Columbia University vs USC

Total cost
Columbia University: ₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore · USC: ₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore
Location
Columbia University: New York, NY · USC: Los Angeles, CA
Type
Columbia University: Private · USC: Private

Side by side

Columbia University vs USC: the numbers

Columbia University vs USC: the numbers
ItemColumbia UniversityUSC
CityNew York, NYLos Angeles, CA
TypePrivatePrivate
Known forIvy League university in Manhattan: engineering, data science and financeViterbi School of Engineering, home to many Indian MS students
Tuition$60,000 – $70,000 a year$60,000 – $70,000 a year
Living costs used$24,000 a year$24,000 a year
Total in ₹₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore
Programs we coverComputer Science, Data Science, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, FinanceComputer Science, Data Science, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Business Analytics
Official websitecolumbia.eduusc.edu

How to decide

Choosing between them

Pick Columbia University if…

You want Ivy League university in Manhattan: engineering, data science and finance and life in New York City.

Pick USC if…

You want Viterbi School of Engineering, home to many Indian MS students and life in Los Angeles.

Cost

Columbia University saves about ₹0 over the program on our figures.

Your program

Compare the Computer Science curricula, electives and outcomes.

Living costs

Living costs in each city

Living costs in each city
CityRoom a monthYearly budget
New York City$1,200 – $1,900$25,400 – $33,800
Los Angeles$1,000 – $1,600$23,000 – $30,200

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

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Ask a counsellor directly — we reply on WhatsApp during working hours (Mon–Sat, 9 AM–6 PM IST).

Columbia University, by about ₹0 in total on our figures (₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore vs ₹1.6 crore – ₹1.81 crore).

Neither is better for everyone. Columbia University is known for Ivy League university in Manhattan: engineering, data science and finance; USC for Viterbi School of Engineering, home to many Indian MS students. Compare the specific program, location and cost.

Yes — lenders fund both. Most families borrow 70–90% of the total cost.

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