<p>Perhaps look on this as a business decision, as so much money is involved. Are you getting any FA from Northwestern?</p>
<p>My S faced a similar decision (he had a tuition remission to USC, since H is on faculty there.) After careful examination of the different program offerings, and being given a green light from H who vetted the NU program, my S is now a freshman in the honors Integrated Science Program at Northwestern. Know that while USC is striving towards an educational approach that emphasizes interdisciplinary study (which can be easier to accomplish under a quarter system, as you take more classes) Northwestern is already a known leader in interdisciplinary study, if that holds any interest to you.</p>
<p>Good luck with your decision making. These are both fine schools.</p>