CAMPUS · LOS ANGELES, CA · PRIVATE

USC Acceptance Rate

University of Southern California

10.0%

Why this page exists. I'm a parent who went through college admissions with my own kids, and I got tired of glossy brochures and sticker prices that mean nothing. For USC, the gap is real: a $90,300 published sticker, but families actually pay about $25,708/yr after aid. Every number on this page comes straight from federal data (IPEDS & College Scorecard) — the real net price, what graduates actually earn, and your honest odds. No rankings theater, no marketing spin.

FIT

REACH

USC is a reach for most applicants.

Score reflects acceptance odds × cost × outcome quality.

ACCEPTANCE

10.0%

of 80,808 applicants

SALARY · 10-YR

$92,498

across all majors

USC at a Glance

52,694

Total Enrollment

$18,000

Median Debt

22.0%

Pell Grant Rate

Average SAT & ACT Scores for USC

Test	25th Percentile	75th Percentile	Midpoint
SAT Reading	700	760	730
SAT Math	740	790	765
SAT Total	1440	1550	1495
ACT Composite	32	35	33

Admissions Funnel

Applications Received	80,808
Students Admitted	8,094
Students Enrolled	3,633
Yield Rate	44.9%

USC Rankings

Ranking	2025	Year
US News National Universities	#27	2025
QS World University Rankings	#89	2025
THE World University Rankings	#62	2025
ARWU (Shanghai)	#58	2024

Show 10-Year US News Ranking History

US News National Universities
2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025
#23	#23	#21	#22	#22	#24	#27	#25	#28	#27

US News National Universities: #23 (2016) → #27 (2025) ↓ 4 spots

USC Admissions Overview

University of Southern California is a private university in Los Angeles, CA with 52,694 students. Its 10.0% acceptance rate places it among America's most selective universities. The most popular majors are Business/Marketing, Visual/Performing Arts, and Social Sciences.

Full Name	University of Southern California
Location	Los Angeles, CA 90089
Type	Private
Website	usc.edu/
Total Enrollment	52,694
Undergrad Enrollment	22,628
Female Students	51.7%

Is USC a Reach, Match, or Safety?

With an acceptance rate of 10.0%, USC is a Reach for most applicants. You'll need a standout application — strong GPA, meaningful extracurriculars, and compelling essays — to have realistic odds here.

Your Profile	USC Is...	What to Do
Above-average GPA + strong application	Match	Apply — worth the effort
Average GPA, some strengths	Reach	Apply, but have 2-3 backup schools
Below-average GPA	Hard Reach	Consider similar schools with higher acceptance rates

USC True Cost by Family Income

22% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating USC enrolls a meaningful share of lower-income students.

Family Income	Annual Net Price	4-Year Total
$0-30k	$13,516	$54,064
$30-48k	$14,394	$57,576
$48-75k	$19,539	$78,156
$75-110k	$24,976	$99,904
$110k+	$56,116	$224,464

Cost Breakdown

Room & Board	$19,198
Total Cost of Attendance	$90,300

Want to see how USC stacks up? Compare college costs side by side and check the college rankings by net price and salary outcomes.

Popular Majors at USC

The most popular fields of study, ranked by the number of degrees awarded.

Business/Marketing

22.4%

Visual/Performing Arts

12.1%

Social Sciences

10.8%

Engineering

8.3%

Communication

8.2%

Best Majors at USC →

{sn} Student Demographics

White

28.2%

Black/African American

6.1%

Hispanic/Latino

16.5%

Asian

23.3%

International

14.2%

How to Get Into USC

USC is a Reach school for nearly all applicants. Competitive applicants typically score 1495+ on the SAT. Beyond grades and scores, USC wants to see intellectual curiosity, leadership, and a clear sense of purpose in your application. Have 2-3 realistic backup schools — even perfect-on-paper students get denied here.

1495

Target SAT Score

Target ACT Score

10.0%

Acceptance Rate

80,808

Total Applicants

What USC Values Most in Applicants

Admission factor importance from the Common Data Set — what the school officially says matters.

Factor	Importance
Academic Gpa	Very Important
Rigor Of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Class Rank	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered
Application Essay	Very Important
Recommendation	Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent Ability	Very Important
Character Personal Qualities	Important
First Generation	Considered
Alumni Relation	Considered
Interview	Not Considered
Work Experience	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Want to know your odds? Use the college admissions calculator to see your chances at USC by GPA and SAT/ACT — or calculate your college GPA first to check where you stand.

USC Application Deadlines & Requirements

Key dates for the USC ED+EA admission cycle. Mark these on your calendar — missing a deadline means waiting another year.

Deadline	Date
Early Action	Nov 1
Early Decision	Nov 1
Regular Decision	Jan 10
Financial Aid (FAFSA/CSS)	Mar 4

Early Decision: USC offers binding Early Decision. If accepted, you must enroll and withdraw all other applications. Only apply ED if USC is your clear first choice.

See USC alongside every school in our full college application deadlines calendar for 2026–2027.

{sn} Financial Aid & Student Debt

22.0%

Pell Grant Recipients

Students from low-income families

$18,000

Median Debt at Graduation

Federal loans only

$74,461

Median Earnings (6yr)

6 years after enrollment

Frequently Asked Questions About USC

What is USC's acceptance rate?

USC has an acceptance rate of 10.0%, making it extremely selective. This rate reflects freshman applicants for the most recent admissions cycle.

What SAT score do I need for USC?

The middle 50% SAT range at USC is 1440-1550. For the ACT, the middle 50% range is 32-35. Scoring above the 75th percentile puts you in a strong position, but scores alone don't determine admission.

What are the most popular majors at USC?

The most popular majors at USC by degrees awarded are: Business/Marketing (22.4%), Visual/Performing Arts (12.1%), Social Sciences (10.8%), Engineering (8.3%), Communication (8.2%). These percentages reflect undergraduate degrees conferred in the most recent reporting year.

Can I transfer to USC?

USC accepts transfer students, though the process is highly selective. Transfer applicants typically need a strong college GPA (3.5+), relevant coursework, and compelling reasons for transferring. The transfer acceptance rate is generally lower than freshman admission at selective schools.