Southern California vs Binghamton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Southern California admits 9.8% of applicants, while Binghamton admits 38.6%.
The more international environment is at Southern California (13.2% international students) than Binghamton (4%).
Average aid for an international student is $25,384 (Southern California) and $8,377 (Binghamton).
On paper the cheaper option is Binghamton: $30,447 against $68,687, which is $38,240 less a year.
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 38.61% acceptance). Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#62 vs #501-600). Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $81K). Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 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 Southern California for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Binghamton for: lower tuition, lower graduate debt.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Southern California is more selective (9.81% vs 38.61% acceptance); Southern California has a higher median SAT (1495 vs 1420).
Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $81K); Southern California has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.8% vs 81.6%).
Binghamton has lower sticker-price tuition ($30,447 vs $68,687); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $19,288).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Southern California | Binghamton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #62 | #501-600 |
| Rank · THE | #72 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 9.81% | 38.61% |
| Yield rate | 43.3% | 15.9% |
| Median SAT | 1495 | 1420 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | 3.88 |
| Number of applications | 82,027 | 53,007 |
| International students | 13.2% | 4% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $81K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $53K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $114K |
| Graduation rate | 91.8% | 81.6% |
| Retention rate | 95.6% | 89.5% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $18,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,687 | $30,447 |
| Avg. aid package | $71,169 | $19,288 |
| % of need met | 99.3% | 74% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,678 | $27,208 |
| Application fee | $85 | $50 |
| Enrollment | 46,566 | 18,815 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Southern California or Binghamton?
It's harder to get into Southern California. Southern California accepts 9.81% of applicants, while Binghamton accepts 38.61%.
Do Southern California or Binghamton graduates earn more?
Southern California graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $81K.
How much is tuition at Southern California vs Binghamton?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,687 per year at Southern California and $30,447 per year at Binghamton.
What SAT score do you need for Southern California or Binghamton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1495 at Southern California and 1420 at Binghamton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Southern California or Binghamton?
Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #62 for Southern California vs #501-600 for Binghamton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Southern California or Binghamton?
The average aid package is $71,169 at Southern California and $19,288 at Binghamton.
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