USC has received high marks in a survey of “Great Colleges to Work For” published by the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Based on a nationwide survey of faculty and staff at American institutions, USC ranked in the top five in 10 categories among universities with 2,500 or more employees.

The 10 categories were: professional/career development programs; connection to the institution and pride; health insurance; workspace conditions; tuition reimbursement; policies, resources and efficiency; emotional engagement with the institution; retirement-savings plans; disability insurance; and life insurance.

USC is the largest private employer in the city of Los Angeles and generates more than $4 billion for the local economy every year.

Among the benefits offered is a home-ownership program that helps employees purchase and live in homes in the neighborhoods surrounding the university’s two campuses by providing a subsidy of up to $50,000 over a seven-year period.

The university also gives preference in hiring to people who live in its immediate neighborhoods.

Over the last 13 years, the university’s faculty and staff have voluntarily contributed more than $9 million to the USC Good Neighbors Campaign, which funds projects that neighborhood partners have identified as being vital to the well-being of local children, families and businesses.

A first of its kind, the Chronicle of Higher Education survey rated the responses of 15,000 employees of 89 colleges and universities across the nation. Complete survey results may be found at http://www.chronicle.com. The results that included USC as among the top five in the nation are summarized below. (The top five originally were listed alphabetically by the publication.)

Professional/Career Development Program: Employees are given the opportunity to develop skills and understand requirements to advance in their careers.

USC
Duke
Stanford
University of Louisville
Cornell

Connection to Institution and Pride: Employees have a strong sense of loyalty to the institution.

USC
George Mason
Stanford
University of Kansas
Emory

Health Insurance

USC
State University of New York at Buffalo
Temple
University of Iowa
Ohio State

Physical Workspace Conditions: Facilities adequately meet needs and the appearance of the campus is pleasing.

USC
Stanford
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Emory

Tuition Reimbursement

USC
Stanford
University of Louisville
University of Memphis
Boston University

Policies, Resources and Efficiency: Institution is well run and prepares employees to be effective.

USC
Stanford
University of Kansas
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
George Mason

Engagement Index: The emotional connection employees have to an organization.

USC
George Mason
Stanford
University of Kansas
Emory

403b or 401k

USC
University of Iowa
University of Kentucky
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
Saint Louis University

Disability Insurance

USC
Stanford
University of Iowa
University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
George Mason U.

Life Insurance

USC
Stanford
University of Iowa
University of Kentucky
Ohio State