The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university, and it's particularly well-known for its School of Cinematic Art. Students can study animation, screenwriting and film on a campus that’s less than 10 miles from Hollywood. Famous alumni include Marvel producer Kevin Feige, directors Ryan Coogler and Barbara Stepansky, and Star Wars creator George Lucas.
USC is highly selected: It attracts applicants from all over the world, and about 10% get in. The university has a reputation as an expensive school — and it has one of the highest estimated degree prices in Money's rankings — but it produces impressive outcomes. The six-year graduation rate is 93%, and the median salary for alumni after a few years in the job market is above $95,000, significantly higher than the average for all four-year schools.
On campus, students can participate in over 1,000 student clubs, and the school hosts a weekly farmers' market. Sports are a big part of campus life, too. Trojan football is practically a religion. On game days, undergraduates, grad students and alumni come together to tailgate, schmooze and cheer on the Cardinal and Gold.
