Rhode Island vs Southern California - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Rhode Island accepts most of the applications it receives (72.2%), while Southern California turns away the overwhelming majority (9.8%).
The more international environment is at Southern California (13.2% international students) than Rhode Island (1.2%).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Southern California lists $89,087 against $54,758 (Rhode Island), but after average aid what remains is $17,918 against $37,163.
Ten years on, graduates of Southern California earn noticeably more: $92K against $70K.
None of these figures decides on its own; what decides is which course you want to be on, and on what budget.
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 72.2% acceptance). Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#801-900 vs #62). Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $70K). Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 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 Rhode Island for: lower tuition.
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 72.2% acceptance); Southern California has a higher median SAT (1495 vs 1160).
Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $70K); Southern California has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.8% vs 73.3%).
Rhode Island has lower sticker-price tuition ($38,398 vs $68,687); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $17,595).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Rhode Island | Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #801-900 | #62 |
| Rank · THE | - | #72 |
| Acceptance rate | 72.2% | 9.81% |
| Yield rate | 16.4% | 43.3% |
| Median SAT | 1160 | 1495 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.65 | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 28,021 | 82,027 |
| International students | 1.2% | 13.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $92K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $44K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $102K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 73.3% | 91.8% |
| Retention rate | 85% | 95.6% |
| Median debt | $22,250 | $18,000 |
| Tuition · year | $38,398 | $68,687 |
| Avg. aid package | $17,595 | $71,169 |
| % of need met | 57% | 99.3% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $42,945 | $27,678 |
| Application fee | $65 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 14,466 | 46,566 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Rhode Island or Southern California?
It's harder to get into Southern California. Rhode Island accepts 72.2% of applicants, while Southern California accepts 9.81%.
Do Rhode Island or Southern California graduates earn more?
Southern California graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $70K.
How much is tuition at Rhode Island vs Southern California?
Sticker-price tuition is $38,398 per year at Rhode Island and $68,687 per year at Southern California.
What SAT score do you need for Rhode Island or Southern California?
The median admitted SAT score is 1160 at Rhode Island and 1495 at Southern California; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Rhode Island or Southern California?
Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #801-900 for Rhode Island vs #62 for Southern California.
Which university offers more financial aid - Rhode Island or Southern California?
The average aid package is $17,595 at Rhode Island and $71,169 at Southern California.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns Hopkins
Washington University
Northwestern