Head-to-Head Comparison
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs University of Southern California
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
- Massachusetts Technology Wins
- 30
- Tied
- 11
- Southern California Wins
- 11
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, Massachusetts Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $20,111 vs University of Southern California's $32,740, Massachusetts Institute of Technology delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, Massachusetts Institute of Technology's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
Massachusetts Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, 55% more than University of Southern California
- Lower cost: Average net price of $20,111, roughly $12,629 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,768, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 5% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #3
Southern California
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 3.9%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
Massachusetts Technology graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (35% of degrees); Southern California in Business & Marketing (22%). 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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of Southern California. Median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment vs $92,498.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of Southern California. Net price $20,111 vs $32,740.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of Southern California. THE World Rank #3 vs #73.
Pick University of Southern California over Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 3.9% mobility rate vs 3.4%.
Pick Massachusetts Institute of Technology over University of Southern California. 96% completion rate vs 92%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Southern California are close on paper, but Massachusetts Institute of Technology wins the head-to-head, leading on 5 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is the harder admit. It takes 5% of applicants, while University of Southern California takes 10%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,560 to 1,495.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Massachusetts Institute of Technology 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, Massachusetts Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $20,111, about $12,629 a year below University of Southern California's $32,740. Graduates of Massachusetts Institute of Technology also borrow less: median debt of $14,768, against $18,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $50,516 before any change in aid. Choosing Massachusetts Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $143,372, compared with $92,498 at University of Southern California. That is a 55% advantage. Set against borrowing, Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.1x to 0.19x.
So what: An earnings gap of 55% 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 92%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 4% 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 Southern California does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 3.9%; at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, it is 3.4%. University of Southern California also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 7.2% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 5.1%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, University of Southern California 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, Massachusetts Institute of Technology sits higher, at #3 versus #73.
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 Massachusetts Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Southern California if upward mobility and access matter most.
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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, with a 5% admit rate, but University of Southern California posts the higher mobility rate, at 3.9%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. Massachusetts Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, while University of Southern California leans toward Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Business and consulting-track students: Massachusetts Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and University of Southern California offers the stronger options.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $32,740 runs well above Massachusetts Institute of Technology's $20,111.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,000, against $14,768 at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Southern California's enrollment, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Southern California's enrollment of 20,443 far exceeds Massachusetts Institute of Technology's 4,535.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Southern California offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; Massachusetts Technology does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at Southern California, 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) 4 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
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA · Private nonprofit
With an acceptance rate of just 5%, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology attracts a highly motivated and academically driven student body. This is a place for those who excel in challenging fields, particularly in engineering, computer science, mathematics, physical sciences, and biology. Students here are often hands-on learners, engaging in rigorous projects and research that push the boundaries of what’s possible.
Once students graduate, they typically see significant financial returns on their investment. With an average salary of $143,372 after ten years, graduates are well-positioned in the job market. This level of earning power speaks volumes about the value of the education they receive here. The affordability of attending is also noteworthy; with a net price of $20,111 after aid, many students leave with a manageable median debt of $14,768, making the financial landscape more navigable.
The practical aspects of attending MIT align well with the ambitions of its students. Those who thrive here are often those who embrace intense academic rigor and collaborative environments. With a graduation rate of 96%, it’s clear that the supportive community helps students succeed. The combination of a strong educational foundation and a network of driven peers prepares graduates for a range of career paths and success in their chosen fields.
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA · Private nonprofit
The University of Southern California has an impressive graduation rate of 92%. This reflects the institution's strong commitment to student success and academic support. Students here are likely to find a community that encourages them to complete their degrees on time.
According to data from Opportunity Insights, while specific mobility metrics are not available, the high graduation rate suggests that many students are able to improve their economic prospects through education. Graduates from USC earn a median salary of $92,498 a decade after leaving, indicating a solid return on investment for their education.
The cost of attendance at USC is $32,740, with a median debt of $18,000 for those who borrow. This financial landscape makes it essential for prospective students to consider their funding options. Students who thrive at USC often have a clear focus on their career paths, particularly in fields like business, arts, and technology.
Rankings They Appear On
Massachusetts Institute of Technology and University of Southern California are featured on the Colleges With the Highest-Earning Graduates ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Massachusetts Technology's top program is Computer Science (35% of enrollment), while Southern California leads with Business Administration (22%).
Massachusetts Technology
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Massachusetts Technology) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Southern California).
The two schools feed different job markets. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Mathematics & Statistics, Physical Sciences, while University of Southern California concentrates in Business & Marketing, Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts, Communications. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Southern California?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is harder to get into, admitting 5% of applicants compared with 10% at University of Southern California.
Which is more affordable, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Southern California?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $20,111 after aid versus $32,740 at University of Southern California.
Do Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Southern California graduates earn more?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $143,372 ten years after enrollment, versus $92,498 at University of Southern California.
Which has a better graduation rate, Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Southern California?
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 92%.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology vs University of Southern California: which is better for social mobility?
University of Southern California is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 3.9% versus 3.4%.
Should you choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology or University of Southern California?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose Massachusetts Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Southern California if upward mobility and access to low-income students matter most. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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