Houston vs Southern California - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Southern California turns away the overwhelming majority (9.8%).
The more international environment is at Southern California (13.2% international students) than Houston (5.7%).
Real money goes to international students at Southern California ($25,384 on average), while Houston stops at $4,456.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Southern California lists $89,087 against $45,970 (Houston), but after average aid what remains is $17,918 against $29,520.
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 73.92% acceptance). Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #62). Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $68,687 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 Houston for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
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 73.92% acceptance); Southern California has a higher median SAT (1495 vs 1240).
Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $62K); Southern California has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.8% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $68,687); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Houston | Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #62 |
| Rank · THE | - | #72 |
| Acceptance rate | 73.92% | 9.81% |
| Yield rate | 26.5% | 43.3% |
| Median SAT | 1240 | 1495 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.49 | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 31,716 | 82,027 |
| International students | 5.7% | 13.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $92K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $39K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 64.6% | 91.8% |
| Retention rate | 87% | 95.6% |
| Median debt | $18,194 | $18,000 |
| Tuition · year | $27,926 | $68,687 |
| Avg. aid package | $16,450 | $71,169 |
| % of need met | 55.1% | 99.3% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $21,819 | $27,678 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 47,980 | 46,566 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Houston or Southern California?
It's harder to get into Southern California. Houston accepts 73.92% of applicants, while Southern California accepts 9.81%.
Do Houston or Southern California graduates earn more?
Southern California graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Houston vs Southern California?
Sticker-price tuition is $27,926 per year at Houston and $68,687 per year at Southern California.
What SAT score do you need for Houston or Southern California?
The median admitted SAT score is 1240 at Houston and 1495 at Southern California; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Houston or Southern California?
Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Houston vs #62 for Southern California.
Which university offers more financial aid - Houston or Southern California?
The average aid package is $16,450 at Houston and $71,169 at Southern California.
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