Northeastern vs Southern California - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (5.2% and 9.8%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
On SAT scores this is the same calibre of applicant: 1490 and 1495.
Tuition is practically the same ($69,289 against $68,687), so financial aid, not the sticker price, will decide the cost.
The aid gap is the size of a package in itself: $71,169 (Southern California) against $46,555.
These numbers describe the cohorts already enrolled, not your chances; treat them as a starting point rather than a forecast.
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
Northeastern is the more selective of the two (5.2% vs 9.81% acceptance). Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#201-300 vs #62). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($93K vs $92K). Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 vs $69,289 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 Northeastern for: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, higher retention.
Choose Southern California for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northeastern is more selective (5.2% vs 9.81% acceptance); Southern California has a higher median SAT (1495 vs 1490).
Northeastern graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($93K vs $92K); Southern California has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.8% vs 90.5%).
Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 vs $69,289); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $46,555).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northeastern | Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #201-300 | #62 |
| Rank · THE | - | #72 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.2% | 9.81% |
| Yield rate | 53.8% | 43.3% |
| Median SAT | 1490 | 1495 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 98,425 | 82,027 |
| International students | 13.1% | 13.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $93K | $92K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $62K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $135K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 90.5% | 91.8% |
| Retention rate | 96.9% | 95.6% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $18,000 |
| Tuition · year | $69,289 | $68,687 |
| Avg. aid package | $46,555 | $71,169 |
| % of need met | 86.7% | 99.3% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,461 | $27,678 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 39,774 | 46,566 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northeastern or Southern California?
It's harder to get into Northeastern. Northeastern accepts 5.2% of applicants, while Southern California accepts 9.81%.
Do Northeastern or Southern California graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $93K at Northeastern and $92K at Southern California.
How much is tuition at Northeastern vs Southern California?
Sticker-price tuition is $69,289 per year at Northeastern and $68,687 per year at Southern California.
What SAT score do you need for Northeastern or Southern California?
The median admitted SAT score is 1490 at Northeastern and 1495 at Southern California; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northeastern or Southern California?
Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #201-300 for Northeastern vs #62 for Southern California.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northeastern or Southern California?
The average aid package is $46,555 at Northeastern and $71,169 at Southern California.
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