Southern California vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Real money goes to international students at Princeton ($86,736 on average), while Southern California stops at $25,384.
The gap in median earnings after a decade favours Princeton: $110K against $92K.
At 4.4% and 9.8%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Princeton: a midpoint of 1530 against 1495, a difference of 35 points.
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
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 9.81% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#62 vs #7). Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $92K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 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 Princeton 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
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 9.81% acceptance); Princeton has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1495).
Princeton graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($110K vs $92K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 91.8%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $68,687); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $71,169).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Southern California | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #62 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | #72 | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 9.81% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 43.3% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1495 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 82,027 | 42,303 |
| International students | 13.2% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 91.8% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 95.6% | 99% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $68,687 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $71,169 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 99.3% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,678 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 46,566 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Southern California or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Southern California accepts 9.81% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Southern California or Princeton graduates earn more?
Princeton graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $110K vs $92K.
How much is tuition at Southern California vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,687 per year at Southern California and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Southern California or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1495 at Southern California and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Southern California or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #62 for Southern California vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Southern California or Princeton?
The average aid package is $71,169 at Southern California and $79,320 at Princeton.
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