Boston University vs Southern California - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Southern California: 9.8% against 12.8% (Boston University).
The larger international cohort belongs to Boston University: 20.1% of students against 13.2% (Southern California).
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Boston University awards international students $56,639 on average, Southern California awards $25,384.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Southern California: $92K against $83K.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Southern California is the more selective of the two (9.81% vs 12.83% acceptance). Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#101-150 vs #62). Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $83K). Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 vs $71,372 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Southern California for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Southern California is more selective (9.81% vs 12.83% acceptance); Southern California has a higher median SAT (1495 vs 1470).
Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $83K); Southern California has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.8% vs 88.7%).
Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 vs $71,372); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $69,396).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Boston University | Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #101-150 | #62 |
| Rank · THE | #75 | #72 |
| Acceptance rate | 12.83% | 9.81% |
| Yield rate | 35% | 43.3% |
| Median SAT | 1470 | 1495 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.86 | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 76,776 | 82,027 |
| International students | 20.1% | 13.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $83K | $92K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $57K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $122K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 88.7% | 91.8% |
| Retention rate | 94.2% | 95.6% |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $18,000 |
| Tuition · year | $71,372 | $68,687 |
| Avg. aid package | $69,396 | $71,169 |
| % of need met | 92% | 99.3% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $36,774 | $27,678 |
| Application fee | $80 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 36,977 | 46,566 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Boston University or Southern California?
It's harder to get into Southern California. Boston University accepts 12.83% of applicants, while Southern California accepts 9.81%.
Do Boston University or Southern California graduates earn more?
Southern California graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $83K.
How much is tuition at Boston University vs Southern California?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,372 per year at Boston University and $68,687 per year at Southern California.
What SAT score do you need for Boston University or Southern California?
The median admitted SAT score is 1470 at Boston University and 1495 at Southern California; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Boston University or Southern California?
Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #101-150 for Boston University vs #62 for Southern California.
Which university offers more financial aid - Boston University or Southern California?
The average aid package is $69,396 at Boston University and $71,169 at Southern California.
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