University of Southern California

Private · Elite · CA

Photo: FASTILY (CC BY-SA 4.0)

School data & stats

TypePrivate

LocationCA · West

SettingUrban

Undergrads20,443

Student:faculty9:1

Outcomes

4-yr grad rate74.5%

6-yr grad rate91.8%

Drop-out rate4.1%

Study abroad—

Cost

In-state tuition$72k

Out-of-state tuition$72k

Application fee—

Community

Racial diversity74.5%

Gender diversity52.2%

International13.3%

Identity—

Overview

USC is a private research university built around a strong sense of Trojan identity and pride that shows up everywhere from tailgates to the alumni network's own nickname, the Trojan Family. Its main University Park campus sits just south of downtown Los Angeles, close to museums, the Coliseum, and the broader entertainment industry that shapes much of the university's character, with a separate Health Sciences Campus supporting its medical programs.

Academics

The School of Cinematic Arts is widely regarded as the top film program anywhere, drawing students who want direct access to the entertainment industry while still in school. The Marshall School of Business and Viterbi School of Engineering are also major strengths, and the Annenberg School gives communication and journalism students real industry connections; cross-school collaboration between business, film, and engineering is common. USC's Thematic Option honors program offers an alternative, seminar-based path through general education for strong incoming students.

Campus & student life

The campus has a classic college feel — palm-lined quads, prominent Greek life, and football Saturdays at the Coliseum are a major cultural event, with the Trojan Marching Band, the Spirit of Troy, famous well beyond campus for also performing at NFL games. USC Village, a large mixed-use residential and retail complex adjacent to campus, anchors much of undergraduate housing and social life. Its Los Angeles location means internships in entertainment, media, and tech are woven into student life far more than at a typical suburban campus.

Getting in

USC's applications benefit from strong essays and demonstrated fit with a specific school — cinematic arts applicants often submit supplemental materials, while other programs weigh academic record and extracurricular leadership heavily. The university has grown considerably more selective over the past two decades, shedding an older reputation as a comparatively easy admit for a school of its caliber.

After graduation

The Trojan alumni network is exceptionally active and known for helping graduates break into entertainment, media, and business, particularly in Southern California; it is often cited as one of the more loyal and reciprocal alumni communities in the country, with the Trojan Family identity functioning as a genuine professional network rather than just a slogan.

Worth knowing

USC's identity and Los Angeles location are deeply intertwined — a huge share of the practical opportunity here, from internships to industry connections to alumni access, comes from being embedded in that city and its industries, more so than at comparable research universities elsewhere. Applicants comparing USC to peers from a decade or two ago should know its selectivity has changed substantially.

usc.edu ↗

Admissions

Acceptance rate9.8%

Enrolled mid-50%SAT 1450–1550 · ACT 32–35

Test policyoptional

Rec letters1

Deadlines (2026–27 cycle)

Early actionNov 1

Early decisionNov 1

Regular decisionJan 10

Verified from the school’s admissions page ↗

Applying (2026-27 cycle)

Apply through Common App.

Financial aid formsFeb 3

Early Decision is binding while Early Action shares the same November 1 deadline; performing-arts majors have a separate December 1 Regular Decision deadline instead of January 10.

Interviews: USC does not conduct admission interviews, nor does it track any form of demonstrated interest in the admissions process.

Verified from the school’s admissions pages ↗