Head-to-Head Comparison
New Jersey Institute of Technology vs University of Southern California
- New Jersey Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 8
- Southern California Wins
- 27
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, New Jersey Institute of Technology offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Southern California achieves a higher graduation rate (92% vs 73%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $32,740 compared to New Jersey Institute of Technology's $16,504. Students who choose New Jersey Institute of Technology benefit from a cost structure that keeps debt manageable while maintaining competitive graduate earnings of $84,276 at ten years.
52 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
New Jersey
- Lower cost: Average net price of $16,504, roughly $16,236 a year less
- Social mobility: Chetty mobility rate of 6.5%, the stronger record of moving students up the income ladder
Southern California
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $92,498 ten years after enrollment, 10% more than New Jersey Institute of Technology
- Higher grad rate: 92% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 10% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
- Research prestige: THE World Rank #73
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
New Jersey graduates concentrate in Computer Science & IT (33% 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 University of Southern California over New Jersey Institute of Technology. Median earnings of $92,498 ten years after enrollment vs $84,276.
Pick New Jersey Institute of Technology over University of Southern California. Net price $16,504 vs $32,740.
Pick University of Southern California over New Jersey Institute of Technology. THE World Rank #73 vs #350-400.
Pick New Jersey Institute of Technology over University of Southern California. 6.5% mobility rate vs 3.9%.
Pick University of Southern California over New Jersey Institute of Technology. 92% completion rate vs 73%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
New Jersey Institute of Technology and University of Southern California are close on paper, but University of Southern California 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
University of Southern California is the harder admit. It takes 10% of applicants, while New Jersey Institute of Technology takes 65%. Its entering class also posts the higher average SAT, 1,337 to 1,495.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, University of Southern California 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, New Jersey Institute of Technology comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $16,504, about $16,236 a year below University of Southern California's $32,740. Graduates of University of Southern California also borrow less: median debt of $18,000, against $21,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $64,944 before any change in aid. Choosing New Jersey Institute of Technology leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, University of Southern California graduates report median earnings of $92,498, compared with $84,276 at New Jersey Institute of Technology. That is a 10% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Southern California has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 10% 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
University of Southern California graduates a larger share of its students, 92% versus 73%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 19% 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
New Jersey Institute of Technology does more to move students up the income ladder. Its Chetty mobility rate is 6.5%; at University of Southern California, it is 3.9%. New Jersey Institute of Technology also enrolls the larger share of low-income students: 10.1% come from the bottom income quintile, versus 7.2%.
So what: For first-generation and low-income students, New Jersey Institute of Technology 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, University of Southern California sits higher, at #73 versus #350.
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 New Jersey Institute of Technology to keep costs and debt down; pick University of Southern California 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. New Jersey Institute of Technology saves about $16,236 a year, yet University of Southern California graduates earn $8,222 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
University of Southern California is harder to get into, with a 10% admit rate, but New Jersey Institute of Technology posts the higher mobility rate, at 6.5%. Selectivity and income mobility measure different things; here, the easier admit does more for the low-income students it enrolls.
Their academic identities diverge. New Jersey Institute of Technology concentrates enrollment in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, while University of Southern California leans toward Social Sciences, Visual & Performing Arts. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $21,000, against $18,000 at University of Southern California.
- Business and consulting-track students: New Jersey 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 New Jersey Institute of Technology's $16,504.
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of University of Southern California's enrollment, and New Jersey Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of Southern California's enrollment of 20,443 far exceeds New Jersey Institute of Technology's 9,019.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Southern California holds onto its admits more tightly: 40% of admitted students enroll, versus 17% at New Jersey — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
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
New Jersey Institute of Technology
Newark, NJ · Public
With nearly 9,020 students, New Jersey Institute of Technology is a great fit for those pursuing careers in fields like engineering, computer science, business, and the arts. The 65% acceptance rate means there's a decent chance of getting in, especially for students who are dedicated to their studies and have a solid application. What stands out here is the strong emphasis on practical skills and real-world applications, making it a solid option for anyone looking to dive straight into a career after graduation.
When it comes to life after graduation, the numbers tell a promising story. Graduates can expect to earn around $84,276 within ten years of completing their degree. This level of earning potential is significant, especially when you consider how affordable this school is compared to others. With a median debt of $21,000, students graduate with a manageable financial load, allowing many to move up in their careers without being bogged down by excessive loans.
In terms of the practical bottom line, the net price after aid is about $16,504, which is reasonable for a public institution. This affordability, combined with the strong earning potential, means that students who tend to thrive here are typically those committed to their fields and eager to apply their learning in practical settings. With a diverse range of programs and a supportive environment, NJIT is well-suited for students ready to take the next step in their educational journey.
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
New Jersey Institute of Technology is featured on the Best Online Colleges in New Jersey ranking.
Top Degree Programs
New Jersey's top program is Computer Science (33% of enrollment), while Southern California leads with Business Administration (22%).
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for New Jersey) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Southern California).
The two schools feed different job markets. New Jersey Institute of Technology is strongest in Computer Science & IT, Engineering, Biology & Biomedical, while University of Southern California concentrates in 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 New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of Southern California?
University of Southern California is harder to get into, admitting 10% of applicants compared with 65% at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of Southern California?
New Jersey Institute of Technology is more affordable, with an average net price of $16,504 after aid versus $32,740 at University of Southern California.
Do New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of Southern California graduates earn more?
University of Southern California graduates earn more: median earnings of $92,498 ten years after enrollment, versus $84,276 at New Jersey Institute of Technology.
Which has a better graduation rate, New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of Southern California?
University of Southern California has the higher graduation rate, 92% versus 73%.
New Jersey Institute of Technology vs University of Southern California: which is better for social mobility?
New Jersey Institute of Technology is the stronger driver of upward mobility, with a Chetty mobility rate of 6.5% versus 3.9%.
Should you choose New Jersey Institute of Technology or University of Southern California?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose New Jersey Institute of Technology if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Southern California 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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