When considering curriculum, professors, programs, clubs, and school networks, which school would be the “better” school for an undergraduate business program in terms of both acquiring real skills, and getting jobs after graduating?
If you can afford the tuition, I vote for USC.
USC is a larger school with very loyal alumni. That will help get interviews - particularly from other alum.
SLO will give you an outstanding education and has no shortage of credibility with employers. It is also a much nicer place to spend 4 years.
For those that pay full fare, it is very expensive and tough to rationalize vs in-state tuition at a school like SLO.
USC is not $100k better than SLO.