Northwestern vs Southern California - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The data does not settle this one; the gaps on the axes that matter are too small to build anything on.
Average aid for an international student is $74,103 (Northwestern) and $25,384 (Southern California).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (7.7% and 9.8%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
The higher mid-range SAT belongs to Northwestern: 1540 against 1495, a gap of 45 points.
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
Northwestern is the more selective of the two (7.69% vs 9.81% acceptance). Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#33 vs #62). Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $89K). Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 vs $70,589 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 Northwestern for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Southern California for: higher graduate earnings, lower tuition, a larger aid package.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Northwestern is more selective (7.69% vs 9.81% acceptance); Northwestern has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1495).
Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $89K); Northwestern has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.1% vs 91.8%).
Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 vs $70,589); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $68,110).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Northwestern | Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #33 | #62 |
| Rank · THE | #31 | #72 |
| Acceptance rate | 7.69% | 9.81% |
| Yield rate | 55.3% | 43.3% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1495 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 49,474 | 82,027 |
| International students | 11.8% | 13.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $92K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $61K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $139K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 95.1% | 91.8% |
| Retention rate | 98% | 95.6% |
| Median debt | $15,000 | $18,000 |
| Tuition · year | $70,589 | $68,687 |
| Avg. aid package | $68,110 | $71,169 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.3% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,540 | $27,678 |
| Application fee | $75 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 23,431 | 46,566 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Northwestern or Southern California?
It's harder to get into Northwestern. Northwestern accepts 7.69% of applicants, while Southern California accepts 9.81%.
Do Northwestern or Southern California graduates earn more?
Southern California graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $89K.
How much is tuition at Northwestern vs Southern California?
Sticker-price tuition is $70,589 per year at Northwestern and $68,687 per year at Southern California.
What SAT score do you need for Northwestern or Southern California?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Northwestern and 1495 at Southern California; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Northwestern or Southern California?
Northwestern ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #33 for Northwestern vs #62 for Southern California.
Which university offers more financial aid - Northwestern or Southern California?
The average aid package is $68,110 at Northwestern and $71,169 at Southern California.
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