Southern California vs Texas at Austin - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
The lower acceptance rate belongs to Southern California: 9.8% against 26.6% (Texas at Austin).
The larger international cohort belongs to Southern California: 13.2% of students against 4.5% (Texas at Austin).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Southern California lists $89,087 against $60,460 (Texas at Austin), but after average aid what remains is $17,918 against $40,241.
The higher median salary ten years after enrolment belongs to Southern California: $92K against $75K.
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 26.64% acceptance). Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#62 vs #45). Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $75K). Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 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: higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings, a higher graduation rate.
Choose Texas at Austin for: a higher world ranking, higher retention, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Southern California is more selective (9.81% vs 26.64% acceptance); Southern California has a higher median SAT (1495 vs 1395).
Southern California graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $75K); Southern California has a higher 6-year graduation rate (91.8% vs 88.9%).
Texas at Austin has lower sticker-price tuition ($44,908 vs $68,687); Southern California offers a larger average aid package ($71,169 vs $20,219).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Southern California | Texas at Austin |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #62 | #45 |
| Rank · THE | #72 | - |
| Acceptance rate | 9.81% | 26.64% |
| Yield rate | 43.3% | 47.4% |
| Median SAT | 1495 | 1395 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | - |
| Number of applications | 82,027 | 72,885 |
| International students | 13.2% | 4.5% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $75K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $59K | $51K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $117K |
| Graduation rate | 91.8% | 88.9% |
| Retention rate | 95.6% | 96.7% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $20,500 |
| Tuition · year | $68,687 | $44,908 |
| Avg. aid package | $71,169 | $20,219 |
| % of need met | 99.3% | 75% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,678 | $19,919 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 46,566 | 53,864 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Southern California or Texas at Austin?
It's harder to get into Southern California. Southern California accepts 9.81% of applicants, while Texas at Austin accepts 26.64%.
Do Southern California or Texas at Austin graduates earn more?
Southern California graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $75K.
How much is tuition at Southern California vs Texas at Austin?
Sticker-price tuition is $68,687 per year at Southern California and $44,908 per year at Texas at Austin.
What SAT score do you need for Southern California or Texas at Austin?
The median admitted SAT score is 1495 at Southern California and 1395 at Texas at Austin; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Southern California or Texas at Austin?
Texas at Austin ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #62 for Southern California vs #45 for Texas at Austin.
Which university offers more financial aid - Southern California or Texas at Austin?
The average aid package is $71,169 at Southern California and $20,219 at Texas at Austin.
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