Southern California vs Houston - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Houston accepts most of the applications it receives (73.9%), while Southern California turns away the overwhelming majority (9.8%).
The more international environment is at Southern California (13.2% international students) than Houston (5.7%).
Real money goes to international students at Southern California ($25,384 on average), while Houston stops at $4,456.
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Southern California lists $89,087 against $45,970 (Houston), but after average aid what remains is $17,918 against $29,520.
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 73.92% acceptance). Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#62 vs #201-300). Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $62K). Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 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 Houston 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 73.92% acceptance); Southern California has a higher median SAT (1495 vs 1240).
Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $62K); Southern California has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.8% vs 64.6%).
Houston has lower sticker-price tuition ($27,926 vs $68,687); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $16,450).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Southern California | Houston |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #62 | #201-300 |
| Rank · THE | #72 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 9.81% | 73.92% |
| Yield rate | 43.3% | 26.5% |
| Median SAT | 1495 | 1240 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | 3.49 |
| Number of applications | 82,027 | 31,716 |
| International students | 13.2% | 5.7% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $62K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $39K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $93K |
| Graduation rate | 91.8% | 64.6% |
| Retention rate | 95.6% | 87% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $18,194 |
| Tuition · year | $68,687 | $27,926 |
| Avg. aid package | $71,169 | $16,450 |
| % of need met | 99.3% | 55.1% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,678 | $21,819 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 46,566 | 47,980 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Southern California or Houston?
It's harder to get into Southern California. Southern California accepts 9.81% of applicants, while Houston accepts 73.92%.
Do Southern California or Houston graduates earn more?
Southern California graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $62K.
How much is tuition at Southern California vs Houston?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,687 per year at Southern California and $27,926 per year at Houston.
What SAT score do you need for Southern California or Houston?
The median admitted SAT score is 1495 at Southern California and 1240 at Houston; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Southern California or Houston?
Southern California ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #62 for Southern California vs #201-300 for Houston.
Which university offers more financial aid - Southern California or Houston?
The average aid package is $71,169 at Southern California and $16,450 at Houston.
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