Location
- University of Southern California
- Los Angeles, CA
- Harvard University
- Cambridge, MA
University of Southern California vs Harvard University
Los Angeles, CA · Cambridge, MA · largest Scorecard gap: acceptance rate
Scorecard match plate
Pair CA:MA
PRIVATE-NP-PAIR · CROSS-STATE · ACCEPT-TIGHT · NET-SPLIT · EARN-SPLIT · DEBT-SPLIT · COMPLETE-HIGH · GAP-ACCEPT
- PRIVATE-NP-PAIR Private nonprofit pair
- CROSS-STATE CA × MA
- ACCEPT-TIGHT Tight admission
- NET-SPLIT Net-price split
- EARN-SPLIT Earnings split
- DEBT-SPLIT Debt split
- COMPLETE-HIGH High completion
- GAP-ACCEPT Largest gap · Acceptance Rate
Instrument codes from this pair's College Scorecard ownership, geography, acceptance, net price, earnings, debt, and completion, plus the ENROLL-1SIDE · modest · 2013–2023 decade-path stamp below, not a ranking or recommendation.
Decade path · College Scorecard
Only one enrollment path is a trend
ENROLL-1SIDE · modest · 2013–2023
Size changed directionally at one school over 2013–2023; the peer's series stays a range. Both acceptance rates still tightened, so the shared frame is selectivity, not enrollment.
- University of Southern California: enrollment grew +15.1% over 2013–2023; fitted +285 students/yr fitted, r² 0.94.
- Harvard University: enrollment ranged 6,099–7,973 (2013–2023, 11 points) without a stable fitted direction.
- University of Southern California: acceptance rate tightened -49.5% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.80).
- Harvard University: acceptance rate tightened -40.9% across 2013–2023 (r² 0.89).
College Scorecard institution series; dollars are nominal. Direction claims require r² ≥ 0.40 on the fitted annual slope, otherwise the page reports the observed range. Descriptive history, not a recommendation.
Scorecard metrics
Undergraduate Enrollment
- Harvard University
- 7,601
Acceptance Rate
- Harvard University
- 3.6%
Avg Net Price
- Harvard University
- $19,066
Median Earnings (6 yr)
- Harvard University
- $99,572
Median Debt at Graduation
- Harvard University
- $14,000
In-State Tuition
- Harvard University
- $61,676
Out-of-State Tuition
- Harvard University
- $61,676
Median Earnings (10 yr)
- Harvard University
- $101,817
150%-Time Completion
- Harvard University
- 97.5%
Cards ordered by relative gap on this pair. Teal = better side.
| Metric | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CA | Harvard University Cambridge, MA |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles, CA | Cambridge, MA |
| Undergraduate Enrollment | 20,443 | 7,601 |
| Acceptance Rate | 9.8% | 3.6% |
| Avg Net Price | $32,740 | $19,066 |
| Median Earnings (6 yr) | $74,461 | $99,572 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,000 | $14,000 |
| In-State Tuition | $72,097 | $61,676 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $72,097 | $61,676 |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $92,498 | $101,817 |
| 150%-Time Completion | 91.9% | 97.5% |
Largest gaps: University of Southern California vs Harvard University
- ACCEPTANCE-RATE Harvard University leads on acceptance rate (3.6% vs 9.8% at University of Southern California)
- AVG-NET-PRICE Harvard University leads on avg net price ($19,066 vs $32,740 at University of Southern California)
- MEDIAN-EARNINGS-(6 Harvard University leads on median earnings (6 yr) ($99,572 vs $74,461 at University of Southern California)
University of Southern California profile · Harvard University profile · Compare other colleges
Also on the Scorecard board
Acceptance Rate and other Scorecard questions
On acceptance rate, who leads between University of Southern California and Harvard University?▼
Harvard University leads on acceptance rate at 3.6% versus 9.8% at University of Southern California. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On avg net price, who leads between University of Southern California and Harvard University?▼
Harvard University leads on avg net price at $19,066 versus $32,740 at University of Southern California. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
On median earnings (6 yr), who leads between University of Southern California and Harvard University?▼
Harvard University leads on median earnings (6 yr) at $99,572 versus $74,461 at University of Southern California. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard College Scorecard institution outcomes (earnings, completion, debt); acceptance rate focus for this pair · 2025