Southern California vs Stanford - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $85,424 (Stanford) and $25,384 (Southern California).
Ten years on, graduates of Stanford earn noticeably more: $124K against $92K.
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (3.8% and 9.8%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
55 points separate the SAT profiles: 1550 (Stanford) against 1495.
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
Stanford is the more selective of the two (3.8% vs 9.81% acceptance). Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#62 vs #2). Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $92K). Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 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: lower graduate debt.
Choose Stanford 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
Stanford is more selective (3.8% vs 9.81% acceptance); Stanford has a higher median SAT (1550 vs 1495).
Stanford graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($124K vs $92K); Stanford has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.9% vs 91.8%).
Stanford has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,574 vs $68,687); Stanford offers a larger average aid package ($77,279 vs $71,169).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Southern California | Stanford |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #62 | #2 |
| Rank · THE | #72 | #6 |
| Acceptance rate | 9.81% | 3.8% |
| Yield rate | 43.3% | 79.9% |
| Median SAT | 1495 | 1550 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | 3.94 |
| Number of applications | 82,027 | 60,646 |
| International students | 13.2% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $124K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $73K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $220K |
| Graduation rate | 91.8% | 91.9% |
| Retention rate | 95.6% | 97.5% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $12,000 |
| Tuition · year | $68,687 | $68,574 |
| Avg. aid package | $71,169 | $77,279 |
| % of need met | 99.3% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,678 | $28,507 |
| Application fee | $85 | $100 |
| Enrollment | 46,566 | 18,121 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Southern California or Stanford?
It's harder to get into Stanford. Southern California accepts 9.81% of applicants, while Stanford accepts 3.8%.
Do Southern California or Stanford graduates earn more?
Stanford graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $124K vs $92K.
How much is tuition at Southern California vs Stanford?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,687 per year at Southern California and $68,574 per year at Stanford.
What SAT score do you need for Southern California or Stanford?
The median admitted SAT score is 1495 at Southern California and 1550 at Stanford; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Southern California or Stanford?
Stanford ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #62 for Southern California vs #2 for Stanford.
Which university offers more financial aid - Southern California or Stanford?
The average aid package is $71,169 at Southern California and $77,279 at Stanford.
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