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University of Southern California

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA · City · 20,443 students
WebsiteCommon AppForbes rankingScorecard
Nov 1 · Early Decision (binding) · in 30 days
Checked Sep 2026 · admission.usc.edu
$32,740
Average net priceYour net price
2023-24
<30
30–48
48–75
75–110
110+
By household income — tap a bar
92%
Graduation rate
Entered fall 2017 & 2018
70% typical
$92,498
Earnings 10 years on
Measured 2020 & 2021
$63,395 typical
10%
Acceptance rate
Applied for fall 2024
73% typical · not scored
Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission
About

The University of Southern California (USC) is a premier private research university renowned for world-class programs in its School of Cinematic Arts, Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Situated near the heart of Los Angeles, the university provides students with exceptional access to media, tech, and global enterprise, heavily bolstered by the famously loyal and influential "Trojan Family" alumni network. Campus life is vibrant and high-energy, defined by storied Division I athletic traditions, extensive extracurricular opportunities, and an ambitious, diverse student body that balances strong pre-professional drive with spirited camaraderie.

Wikipedia:The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in California and has an enrollment of more than 47,000 students.

Location
Los Angeles, CA, 90089 · City campus
✈
Nearest airport from college
LAX · Los Angeles
9 mi away
Open in Google Maps
Cost & aid
Cost of attendance
YoursEveryone
Tuition & fees$72,097
Housing & food (on campus)$19,931
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$103,162
Average net price$32,740
Same price for all students
Tuition & fees$72,097
Housing & food (on campus)$19,931
Books & supplies$1,200
Cost of attendance$103,162
Average net price$32,740
Source: U.S. College Scorecard · published total: financialaid.usc.edu
How it’s made up · 2026-27
University of Southern California’s own figures for 2026-2027, newer than the 2024-25 federal figures above, so the amounts differ.
Tuition$75,384
Fees$1,952
Housing$13,510
Food$8,442
Books & supplies$670
Personal expenses$2,016
Transportation$1,188
Total published by the school$103,162
Net price by family income · 2023-24
$0–30k
$13,516
$30–48k
$14,394
$48–75k
$19,539
$75–110k
$24,976
$110k+
$56,116
Merit aid · 2025-26
Awarded without financial need. Students with financial need can get merit awards too; they're counted as need-based aid.
Average award$21,399
Share of first-years who get one16%
Source: University of Southern California's Common Data Set — the school's own yearly report of its admissions and aid figures (PDF).
Outcomes
Completion
Within 6 yrs
92%
Entered 2017–18
Within 4 yrs
74%
Back for yr 2
96%
Transferred
0%
8 yrs after starting · first-time, full-time students
93% graduated · 3% transferred · 4% left or unknown · none still enrolled
Earnings · measured 2020 & 2021
6 yrs after entry$74,461
10 yrs after entry$92,498
Debt
Median at graduation$18,000
Monthly payment$191
Middle 50% owe$13k–$27k
90th percentile$34,462
Green marks a figure above the typical Doctoral University: 70% graduate within 6 yrs, $63,395 earned 10 yrs after entry.
Admissions
Getting in · applied for fall 2024
Admit rate
10%
Test policy
Test optional
Per College Scorecard
SAT average
1495
R 710–760 · M 740–790
ACT midpoint
34
Comp 32–35 · E 33–35 · M 29–35
SAT middle 50%: 1450–1550
40080012001600
Application deadlines · first-year, fall 2027 entry
Early Decision
Nov 1 2026
binding in 30 days
If admitted, you must enroll and withdraw other applications.
Early Action
Nov 1 2026
in 30 days
Not binding: apply early, hear early, and you can still apply elsewhere.
Regular Decision
Dec 1 2026
in 60 days · Students applying to these…
Not binding: the standard deadline.
Checked Sep 2026 · admission.usc.edu · Confirm on the school's site before you apply.

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Essay prompts

If University of Southern California asks for supplemental essays, the prompts are in the Common App.

The personal essay is separate: see the Common App essay prompts.

Student Body
Gender
Men 48%Women 52%
Who enrolls
Faculty ratio
9 : 1
Pell grant
22%
First-gen
25%
Family income
$45,149
Independent
9%
Age at entry
20.0
Part-time
2%
Race & ethnicity
White
26%
Hispanic
20%
Black
7%
Asian
23%
Two or more
6%
Non-resident
13%
Unknown
4%
Varsity sports
NCAA Division I-FBS · EADA 2024-25
  • Baseball
    Men's
  • Basketball
    Men's · Women's
  • Beach Volleyball
    Women's
  • Football
    Men's
  • Golf
    Men's · Women's
  • Lacrosse
    Women's
  • Rowing
    Women's
  • Soccer
    Women's
  • Swimming and Diving (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Tennis
    Men's · Women's
  • Track and Field and Cross Country (combined)
    Men's · Women's
  • Volleyball
    Men's · Women's
  • Water Polo
    Men's · Women's
Programs & Earnings
Bachelor's degrees by annual completions · 4yr national median earnings
Median earnings, all programs · measured 2020 & 2021
After 6 yrs
$74,461
After 10 yrs
$92,498
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods1221
Computer Science305
Communication and Media Studies269
Human Biology241
Psychology, General189
Economics178
Film/Video and Photographic Arts178
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft150
International Relations and National Security Studies145
Political Science and Government132
Applied Mathematics126
Public Health109
Mechanical Engineering101
Journalism97
Real Estate Development95
Neurobiology and Neurosciences83
Type your major above to highlight and detail relevant programs.
Institutional
Resources
Endowment
$8.1B
Full-time faculty
59%
Faculty salary
$17,924/mo
Teaching spend
$49,674
per student
Federal loans
24%
Classification
Carnegie type
Doctoral University
Research activity
R1 — very high research
$1.3B research spending · 882 research doctorates a year
Undergraduate profile
Four-year, more selective admissions

Wondering if University of Southern California is the right fit for you?

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Financial aid & net cost estimates
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Scholarship search