Head-to-Head Comparison
Case Western Reserve University vs University of San Francisco
- Case Western Wins
- 21
- Tied
- 11
- San Francisco Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Case Western Reserve University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $41,190 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, Case Western Reserve University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. Students who choose Case Western Reserve University benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $87,989 at ten years.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Case Western
- Lower cost: Average net price of $41,190, roughly $241 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 87% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 37% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #65
San Francisco
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, 2% more than Case Western Reserve University
- Less debt: Median debt of $23,000, the lower of the two
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 2.7%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Case Western graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% of degrees); San Francisco in Business & Marketing (18%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick University of San Francisco over Case Western Reserve University. Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment vs $87,989.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over University of San Francisco. Net price $41,190 vs $41,431.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over University of San Francisco. THE World Rank #65 vs #401-500.
Pick University of San Francisco over Case Western Reserve University. 2.7% mobility rate vs 1.8%.
Pick Case Western Reserve University over University of San Francisco. 87% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Case Western Reserve University and University of San Francisco split the core measures almost evenly. Neither comes out a clean winner, so the choice rests on which of these dimensions you care about most.
Getting in
Case Western Reserve University is the harder admit. It takes 37% of applicants, while University of San Francisco takes 62%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,513 to 1,295.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Case Western Reserve University sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, Case Western Reserve University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $41,190, about $241 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of University of San Francisco also borrow less: median debt of $23,000, against $24,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $964 before any change in aid. Choosing Case Western Reserve University leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of San Francisco graduates report median earnings of $89,812, compared with $87,989 at Case Western Reserve University. That is a 2% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of San Francisco has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.26x to 0.27x.
So what: An earnings gap of 2% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Case Western Reserve University graduates a larger share of its students, 87% versus 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 16% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Moving people up
University of San Francisco does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 2.7%; at Case Western Reserve University, it is 1.8%. University of San Francisco also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.3%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of San Francisco offers the stronger statistical shot at reaching the top of the income distribution. The gap is wide enough to weigh in any access-minded decision.
Research standing
In the Times Higher Education world table, Case Western Reserve University sits higher, at #65 versus #401.
So what: Research rank matters most for students headed to graduate school or hoping to work in faculty labs. For undergraduates going straight into the job market, it is a weak predictor of earnings.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick Case Western Reserve University to keep costs and debt down; pick University of San Francisco for the higher earnings ceiling.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 6 of 6 core signals used here, so every comparison above matches reported data against reported data.
Counterintuitive Insights
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. Case Western Reserve University saves about $241 a year, yet University of San Francisco graduates earn $1,823 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Case Western Reserve University is harder to get into, with a 37% admit rate, but University of San Francisco posts the higher mobility rate, at 2.7%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Case Western Reserve University concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while University of San Francisco leans toward Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Case Western Reserve University has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
- Engineering-focused students: Case Western Reserve University has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Case Western holds onto its admits more tightly: 12% of admitted students enroll, versus 6% at San Francisco — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Both reward applying early, but the binding round pays off more at San Francisco (49.4% Early Decision admit rate vs 25.0%). Early Decision is binding, so it only makes sense if the school is a clear first choice. Test scores matter less at San Francisco, where only about 42% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Research (Times HE) 4 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH · Private nonprofit
With an enrollment of nearly 6,500 students and a 37% acceptance rate, Case Western Reserve University attracts those who are serious about their education and future. Here, students dive into strong programs in Engineering, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Computer Science, and Business. The 87% graduation rate speaks volumes about the supportive environment that enables students to succeed academically and professionally.
Looking ahead, the earning potential for graduates is promising, with a ten-year median income of about $87,989. That’s a significant number, especially when we think about what it means for students entering the workforce. It’s not just about the degree but also how well it translates into financial stability and career advancement. While the school has an 18% Pell Grant rate, indicating that some students come from lower-income backgrounds, the return on investment seems solid based on those earnings.
When considering the financial aspects, the net price after aid hovers around $41,190, which can feel daunting. However, the median debt for graduates is $24,000, suggesting that many students manage to graduate with a reasonable debt load. Those who thrive at Case Western tend to be motivated, goal-oriented individuals who are ready to engage deeply with their studies and take advantage of the university's resources. This school seems like a good fit for students who are prepared to dive into a challenging academic environment while keeping an eye on their future careers.
University of San Francisco
San Francisco, CA · Private nonprofit
Students at the University of San Francisco can expect to earn an average of $89,812 within ten years of graduation. This strong earning potential reflects the university's focus on practical skills and career readiness. With an acceptance rate of 62%, the university maintains a balance of accessibility and selectivity.
The Chetty/Opportunity Insights data is not available for this institution, but the outcomes for graduates suggest a solid return on investment. The graduation rate stands at 71%, indicating that a significant majority of students complete their degrees. This completion rate, combined with the potential earnings, points to a pathway for upward mobility.
Tuition at the University of San Francisco has a net price of $41,431, which is a notable consideration for prospective students. Graduates carry a median debt of $23,000, which is relatively manageable compared to national averages. Students who thrive here often pursue programs in Business, Health Professions, and Social Sciences, aligning their education with market demand and job opportunities.
Rankings They Appear On
Case Western Reserve University is featured on the Best Online Colleges in Ohio ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Case Western's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while San Francisco leads with Business Administration (18%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Case Western) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. Case Western Reserve University is strongest in Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, Computer Science & IT, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Business & Marketing, Psychology, Social Sciences. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Case Western
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Case Western Reserve University or University of San Francisco?
Case Western Reserve University is harder to get into, admitting 37% of applicants compared with 62% at University of San Francisco.
Which is more affordable, Case Western Reserve University or University of San Francisco?
Case Western Reserve University is more affordable, with an average net price of $41,190 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do Case Western Reserve University or University of San Francisco graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates earn more: median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, versus $87,989 at Case Western Reserve University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Case Western Reserve University or University of San Francisco?
Case Western Reserve University has the higher graduation rate, 87% versus 71%.
Case Western Reserve University vs University of San Francisco: which is better for social mobility?
University of San Francisco is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 2.7% versus 1.8%.
Should you choose Case Western Reserve University or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Case Western Reserve University if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of San Francisco if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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