Southern california vs Washington university — US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
EXPERT TAKE
Southern california is the more selective of the two (9.8% vs 12.1% acceptance). Washington university ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#62 vs #23). Southern california graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $86K). Washington university has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,790 vs $72,097 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, higher retention.
Choose Washington university for: a higher world ranking, a higher graduation rate, lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Southern california is more selective (9.8% vs 12.1% acceptance); Washington university has a higher median SAT (1530 vs 1495).
Southern california graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($92K vs $86K); Washington university has a higher 6-year graduation rate (94.3% vs 91.8%).
Washington university has lower sticker-price tuition ($65,790 vs $72,097); Washington university offers a larger average aid package ($75,604 vs $71,169).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Southern california | Washington university |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #62 | #23 |
| Rank · THE | #72 | #69 |
| Acceptance rate | 9.8% | 12.1% |
| Yield rate | 43.3% | 46.7% |
| Median SAT | 1495 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.80 | 4.20 |
| Number of applications | 82,027 | 32,754 |
| International students | 27% | 27% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $92K | $86K |
| Avg. earnings · 10 yrs | $89K | $88K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $141K | $137K |
| Graduation rate | 91.8% | 94.3% |
| Retention rate | 95.6% | 95% |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $17,500 |
| Tuition · year | $72,097 | $65,790 |
| Avg. aid package | $71,169 | $75,604 |
| % of need met | 99.3% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $27,678 | $26,666 |
| Application fee | $85 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 46,566 | 16,357 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Southern california or Washington university?
It's harder to get into Southern california. Southern california accepts 9.8% of applicants, while Washington university accepts 12.1%.
Do Southern california or Washington university graduates earn more?
Southern california graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $92K vs $86K.
How much is tuition at Southern california vs Washington university?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,097 per year at Southern california and $65,790 per year at Washington university.
What SAT score do you need for Southern california or Washington university?
The median admitted SAT score is 1495 at Southern california and 1530 at Washington university; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher — Southern california or Washington university?
Washington university ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #62 for Southern california vs #23 for Washington university.
Which university offers more financial aid — Southern california or Washington university?
The average aid package is $71,169 at Southern california and $75,604 at Washington university.
Harvard
Stanford
Massachusetts institute of technology
Princeton
Yale
Cornell
Penn
Johns hopkins
Northwestern
North carolina