Head-to-Head Comparison
Johns Hopkins University vs University of San Francisco
- Johns Hopkins Wins
- 28
- Tied
- 12
- San Francisco Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Johns Hopkins University offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $18,809 vs University of San Francisco's $41,431, Johns Hopkins University delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Johns Hopkins University's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
54 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Johns Hopkins
- Lower cost: Average net price of $18,809, roughly $22,622 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 94% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $10,250, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 6% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #13
San Francisco
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment, 3% more than Johns Hopkins University
- 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?
Johns Hopkins graduates concentrate in Biology & Biomedical (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 Johns Hopkins University. Median earnings of $89,812 ten years after enrollment vs $87,555.
Pick Johns Hopkins University over University of San Francisco. Net price $18,809 vs $41,431.
Pick Johns Hopkins University over University of San Francisco. THE World Rank #13 vs #401-500.
Pick University of San Francisco over Johns Hopkins University. 2.7% mobility rate vs 2.2%.
Pick Johns Hopkins University over University of San Francisco. 94% completion rate vs 71%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Johns Hopkins University and University of San Francisco are close on paper, but Johns Hopkins University wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Johns Hopkins University is the harder admit. It takes 6% of applicants, while University of San Francisco takes 62%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,553 to 1,295.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Johns Hopkins 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, Johns Hopkins University comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $18,809, about $22,622 a year below University of San Francisco's $41,431. Graduates of Johns Hopkins University also borrow less: median debt of $10,250, against $23,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $90,488 before any change in aid. Choosing Johns Hopkins 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 $87,555 at Johns Hopkins University. That is a 3% advantage. Set against borrowing, Johns Hopkins University has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.12x to 0.26x.
So what: An earnings gap of 3% 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
Johns Hopkins University graduates a larger share of its students, 94% versus 71%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 24% 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 Johns Hopkins University, it is 2.2%. University of San Francisco also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 5.9% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 3.7%.
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, Johns Hopkins University sits higher, at #13 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 Johns Hopkins 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. Johns Hopkins University saves about $22,622 a year, yet University of San Francisco graduates earn $2,257 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Johns Hopkins University is harder to get into, with a 6% 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. Johns Hopkins University concentrates enrollment in Biology & Biomedical, Engineering, 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: Johns Hopkins University has less business program depth, and University of San Francisco offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,431 runs well above Johns Hopkins University's $18,809.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $23,000, against $10,250 at Johns Hopkins University.
- Engineering-focused students: Johns Hopkins University has the stronger engineering programs.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Johns Hopkins holds onto its admits more tightly: 45% 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 10.9%). 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
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 6%, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore is tailored for driven students who are ready to engage deeply in their education. The standout programs here include Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Engineering, Computer Science and IT, Social Sciences, and Health Professions, making it a solid choice for those interested in health, technology, and scientific research. The school's tight-knit community of about 5,700 students fosters collaboration and a culture of inquiry, appealing to individuals who thrive in an intellectually stimulating environment.
After graduation, alumni see impressive earning potential, with a median income of $87,555 ten years post-degree. This figure reflects the value of a degree from Johns Hopkins in the job market, particularly in fields like engineering and health professions. While 19% of students receive Pell Grants, this indicates that the university is accessible to a range of economic backgrounds, allowing for a diverse student body to grow and succeed.
Looking at the financials, the net price after aid comes to about $18,809, which is quite manageable given the high graduation rate of 94%. With a median debt of $10,250, graduates leave with a reasonable financial burden, setting them up for success. Students who make the most of their time here are often those who are proactive, curious, and willing to seek out opportunities in research and internships, setting themselves up for fruitful careers ahead.
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
Johns Hopkins University is featured on the Best Online Colleges ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Johns Hopkins's top program is Biology (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 Johns Hopkins) and Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician Assistant (for San Francisco).
The two schools feed different job markets. Johns Hopkins University is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, Engineering, Computer Science & IT, while University of San Francisco concentrates in Business & Marketing, Health Professions, Psychology. 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.
Johns Hopkins
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Johns Hopkins University or University of San Francisco?
Johns Hopkins University is harder to get into, admitting 6% of applicants compared with 62% at University of San Francisco.
Which is more affordable, Johns Hopkins University or University of San Francisco?
Johns Hopkins University is more affordable, with an average net price of $18,809 after aid versus $41,431 at University of San Francisco.
Do Johns Hopkins 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 $87,555 at Johns Hopkins University.
Which has a better graduation rate, Johns Hopkins University or University of San Francisco?
Johns Hopkins University has the higher graduation rate, 94% versus 71%.
Johns Hopkins 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 2.2%.
Should you choose Johns Hopkins University or University of San Francisco?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Johns Hopkins 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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