Southern California vs Emory - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
For an applicant from outside the US the difference is financial: Emory awards international students $54,457 on average, Southern California awards $25,384.
Ten years on, graduates of Southern California earn noticeably more: $92K against $80K.
These admissions operate at different scales: Southern California reads 82,027 applications a year, its rival 34,614.
The price list does not separate these two: $68,687 and $68,056.
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
Southern California is the more selective of the two (9.81% vs 10.29% acceptance). Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#62 vs #101-150). Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $80K). Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 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 Emory for: higher retention, 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 10.29% acceptance); Emory has a higher median SAT (1510 vs 1495).
Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $80K); Southern California has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.8% vs 91.1%).
Emory has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,056 vs $68,687); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $67,329).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Southern California | Emory |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #62 | #101-150 |
| Rank · THE | #72 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 9.81% | 10.29% |
| Yield rate | 43.3% | 40.4% |
| Median SAT | 1495 | 1510 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | 3.84 |
| Number of applications | 82,027 | 34,614 |
| International students | 13.2% | 16.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $80K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $58K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $120K |
| Graduation rate | 91.8% | 91.1% |
| Retention rate | 95.6% | 96% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $18,250 |
| Tuition · year | $68,687 | $68,056 |
| Avg. aid package | $71,169 | $67,329 |
| % of need met | 99.3% | 99.9% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,678 | $24,562 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 46,566 | 15,179 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Southern California or Emory?
It's harder to get into Southern California. Southern California accepts 9.81% of applicants, while Emory accepts 10.29%.
Do Southern California or Emory graduates earn more?
Southern California graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $80K.
How much is tuition at Southern California vs Emory?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,687 per year at Southern California and $68,056 per year at Emory.
What SAT score do you need for Southern California or Emory?
The median admitted SAT score is 1495 at Southern California and 1510 at Emory; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Southern California or Emory?
Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #62 for Southern California vs #101-150 for Emory.
Which university offers more financial aid - Southern California or Emory?
The average aid package is $71,169 at Southern California and $67,329 at Emory.
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