University of Southern California
PrivateLos Angeles, CA
The University of Southern California opened on October 6, 1880, with an initial enrollment of 53 students. It is now organized into 23 schools and academic units across its University Park and Health Sciences campuses. USC's faculty have included recipients of the Nobel Prize, MacArthur Fellowships, and the National Medal.
Admissions
Cost & outcomes
From the US Dept of Education College Scorecard, most recent year reported. Not every school reports every field.
Where do you stand against University of Southern California's numbers?
Check your chances hereHow University of Southern California weighs your application
From University of Southern California's own Common Data Set, 2024-25, Section C7 -- not a generic admissions checklist. What is a Common Data Set?
See full profile -- financial aid, campus life, and what University of Southern California weighs in your application
Paying it back
"Still growing" means a borrower's payments aren't yet covering interest 3 years into repayment -- not a default rate. A high number here can mean real repayment difficulty, or just a lot of grads who deferred for graduate school, so read it alongside the school's typical outcomes above.
Majors & earnings
Median earnings 4 years after graduation, by major, from the US Dept of Education. Only shown where the school reports a real figure for that major -- most schools don't report every major they offer, especially smaller programs.
Campus life
Room and board are shown separately from the cost of attendance above -- that total already includes them alongside tuition and fees, this just breaks out the living-cost portion.
What matters in your application
From this school's own reporting to the US Dept of Education on what it formally requires, considers, or doesn't use when reviewing applications.
Frequently asked questions
What does University of Southern California look for in applicants?
Per University of Southern California's own Common Data Set (Section C7), it rates academic GPA, standardized test scores, application essay, recommendations, rigor of secondary school record as "very important" in admissions decisions -- its own stated top factors, not a generic guess.
What is University of Southern California's acceptance rate?
University of Southern California in Los Angeles, CA admits approximately 10% of applicants, based on the US Dept of Education's most recently reported figures.
What SAT score do I need for University of Southern California?
Admitted students at University of Southern California typically score between 1450–1550 on the SAT (25th–75th percentile).
What ACT score do I need for University of Southern California?
Admitted students at University of Southern California typically score between 32–35 on the ACT (25th–75th percentile).
How much does University of Southern California cost?
University of Southern California's total cost of attendance is reported at $90,300 per year, including tuition, fees, and room and board.
When is the application deadline for University of Southern California?
University of Southern California's earliest deadline is Nov 1, 2026 (ED1), per its own published admissions calendar.
Does University of Southern California require students to live on campus?
No -- University of Southern California doesn't require students to live in on-campus housing.
Related reading
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