Yale vs Southern California - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Average aid for an international student is $84,185 (Yale) and $25,384 (Southern California).
Both universities turn away more than nine applicants in ten (4.7% and 9.8%), so the outcome rests on how well your profile fits, not on the admission rate itself.
Candidates with higher SAT scores go to Yale: a midpoint of 1540 against 1495, a difference of 45 points.
The fight for an admitted student is won more often by Yale: 68.4% of them enrol, against 43.3%.
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
Yale is the more selective of the two (4.7% vs 9.81% acceptance). Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#11 vs #62). Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $92K). Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 vs $72,500 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 Yale for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, higher graduate earnings.
Choose Southern California for: lower tuition.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Yale is more selective (4.7% vs 9.81% acceptance); Yale has a higher median SAT (1540 vs 1495).
Yale graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($101K vs $92K); Yale has a higher 6-year graduation rate (95.7% vs 91.8%).
Southern California has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,687 vs $72,500); Yale offers a larger average aid package ($74,353 vs $71,169).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Yale | Southern California |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #11 | #62 |
| Rank · THE | #10 | #72 |
| Acceptance rate | 4.7% | 9.81% |
| Yield rate | 68.4% | 43.3% |
| Median SAT | 1540 | 1495 |
| Avg. GPA | - | 3.80 |
| Number of applications | 50,264 | 82,027 |
| International students | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $101K | $92K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $66K | $59K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $194K | $141K |
| Graduation rate | 95.7% | 91.8% |
| Retention rate | 99.4% | 95.6% |
| Median debt | $12,975 | $18,000 |
| Tuition · year | $72,500 | $68,687 |
| Avg. aid package | $74,353 | $71,169 |
| % of need met | 100% | 99.3% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $22,185 | $27,678 |
| Application fee | $80 | $85 |
| Enrollment | 15,657 | 46,566 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Yale or Southern California?
It's harder to get into Yale. Yale accepts 4.7% of applicants, while Southern California accepts 9.81%.
Do Yale or Southern California graduates earn more?
Yale graduates earn more: the median 10 years after enrollment is $101K vs $92K.
How much is tuition at Yale vs Southern California?
Sticker-price tuition is $72,500 per year at Yale and $68,687 per year at Southern California.
What SAT score do you need for Yale or Southern California?
The median admitted SAT score is 1540 at Yale and 1495 at Southern California; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Yale or Southern California?
Yale ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #11 for Yale vs #62 for Southern California.
Which university offers more financial aid - Yale or Southern California?
The average aid package is $74,353 at Yale and $71,169 at Southern California.
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