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Private University

University of Southern California

The University of Southern California, located in Los Angeles, is a vibrant, private nonprofit institution known for its academic excellence and diverse student community.

10%ACCEPTANCE
$41,496AVG NET PRICE
92%GRAD RATE
47.1KSTUDENTS
University data profileIPEDS 2023

THE SIGNATURE

University of Southern California Report Card

Explore university facts, programs, and campus life at a glance.

The University of Southern California (USC) is a prestigious private nonprofit four-year institution founded in 1880 and situated in the heart of Los Angeles, California. It boasts a diverse population of over 47,000 students, offering a stimulating environment that encourages academic and personal growth through pioneering research opportunities and a commitment to inclusiveness.

USC is celebrated for its strong academic programs and a rich tradition in athletics. Students at USC benefit from access to numerous resources and support systems designed to enhance their educational journey. The location in Los Angeles provides vibrant student life, with endless opportunities for cultural experiences, internships, and engagement within various industries, making it an exciting place to live and study.

AT A GLANCE
TypePrivateFour or more years
Founded1880
Settingcity226 acres
Calendarsemester

GETTING IN

Admissions

The admissions process at USC is highly selective, featuring an acceptance rate of 10%. The university receives a substantial number of applications, with over 80,000 prospective students vying for admission each year, reflecting its esteemed status in higher education.

Source: IPEDS 2023

ACCEPTANCE RATE

10%

More selective than 7% of listed universities.

SelectiveAccessible

SAT RANGE (MID 50%)

1,440–1,550

4001600

APPLICATION DEADLINE

Jan 10regular

Early Action Nov 1

Undergraduate application fee $85.

WHAT IT COSTS

Cost & Financial Aid

Sticker price tells you little — net price after aid is what most families actually pay.

Source: IPEDS 2023

IN-STATE TUITION & FEES

$68,237/yr

Out-of-state: $68,237/yr.

Net price by income band

$0–$30,000
$30,001–$48,000
$48,001–$75,000
$75,001–$110,000
$110,001+

AVERAGE NET PRICE AFTER AID

$41,496/yr

▲ 59% since 2020-2169% receive aid

Average aid package $44,920.

IN THE CLASSROOM

Academics

USC is recognized for its strong academic programs and research opportunities, emphasizing innovative education across various disciplines. With 117 undergraduate majors available, the university prepares students to excel in their chosen fields and contribute to meaningful advancements in society.

Source: IPEDS 2023

Student–faculty ratio

9:1

60.4% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

6-year graduation rate

92%

▲ 0 pts since 2016

First-year retention

97%

Compared with the 89% public-university median.

Undergrad majors

117

Undergraduate majors and programs

MOST POPULAR FIELDS OF STUDY

Management Science.23.3%
Computer Science.5.8%
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.5%
Human Biology.4.5%
Psychology, General.3.3%
Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.3%

CAMPUS LIFE

Campus & Housing

Campus housing shows how many students live on-campus — which means nearby housing can be essential to the college experience.

University of Southern California campus and student housing

On-campus beds

8,500

Housing for approximately 40% of students.

Students needing off-campus housing

28.3K

Estimated from enrollment and reported on-campus housing capacity.

Setting

city

226 campus acres.

IN CONTEXT

USC vs. peer institutions

How USC compares with officially identified or editorially reviewed peer institutions.

University of Southern California
$41,496
University of California, Los Angeles
$15,166
UC San Diego
$13,293
Santa Clara University
$49,651
Loyola Marymount University
$54,471

AFTER GRADUATION

Student outcomes

What graduates earn and how reliably they land work — the bottom-line return on the degree.

Source: College Scorecard 2023

Median earnings · 10 yrs after entry

$92,498

Working after 10 yrs

87.8%

Share of former students working and not enrolled, ten years after entry.

Earning more than a high-school graduate

87.8%

87.8% of students out-earn the typical high-school graduate — a core measure of mobility.

Neighborhoods near USC

Where students live around University of Southern California — vibe, walkability, and commute at a glance.

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Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics. University Apartments is not affiliated with University of Southern California.