Is Arizona State or USC considered more prestigious?

The biggest practical tradeoff is that USC carries a much stronger national prestige signal, while Arizona State is better known for scale, accessibility, and certain standout programs rather than overall elite reputation. In broad terms, employers and other colleges are much more likely to view USC as the more prestigious institution overall. USC has a long-established private-school brand, strong name recognition beyond its region, and especially strong visibility in fields like business, cinema, engineering, and communications.

Arizona State is respected, but in a different way. It is often seen as a large public university with a broad mission, major research activity, and a reputation for innovation and opportunity. That can be a real advantage in some contexts, especially if you take initiative there, but it does not usually carry the same across-the-board status boost that USC does when someone is making a quick judgment based only on the school name.

For employers, the gap matters most in prestige-sensitive industries and early screening situations. USC’s alumni network, especially in California and certain national industries, is a meaningful part of its reputation. ASU can still place students well, particularly in strong majors and in the Southwest, but people usually do not put the two schools in the same prestige tier.

For graduate schools or transfers, the school name matters some, but your grades, coursework, research, and recommendations matter more. Even so, USC is more likely to be read as the more selective and more prestigious institution. If your question is purely about overall reputation, USC is the clearer answer.