University of Southern California: Admission 2025-26, Rankings, Fees & Acceptance Rate at USC

About

The University of Southern California (USC) is a prestigious private research university located in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1880, it holds the distinction of being the oldest private research university in the state of California.

What is the Acceptance rate of the University of Southern California?

The acceptance rate of the University of Southern California (USC) is 10% for the Class of 2029, indicating that approximately 10 out of every 100 applicants are admitted. The early acceptance rate is even more selective at 6.1%. In other words, this indicates that the university's selection policy is highly competitive, giving only highly qualified applicants a chance of admission to the University of Southern California.

The University of Southern California offers a diverse range of academic programs, including 22 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional courses. These programs cover a wide array of fields, encompassing disciplines such as liberal arts, engineering, and technology.

What is the Annual Tuition fee at the University of Southern California?

The annual tuition fee at the University of Southern California for international students for the UG course is approximately $36,986 or INR 30.84 Lakh and for the PG course, it is approximately $23,423 or INR 19.53 Lakh.

With a commitment to excellence in education, the University of Southern California provides students with a comprehensive learning experience that fosters intellectual growth and critical thinking. Its faculty members are renowned experts in their respective fields, ensuring that students receive a top-quality education.

What is the University of Southern California GPA Requirement?

The University of Southern California does not have a minimum GPA requirement for undergraduate admission but the admitted students have a GPA of 3.87 or higher.

Top Reasons to Study in the University of Southern California

Academic Excellence: University of Southern California offers a wide range of programs taught by accomplished faculty, ensuring a high-quality education.
Financial Aid: University of Southern California provides significant financial aid opportunities, with a budget of $773.4 million, to support students in managing tuition costs.
Extensive Alumni Network: With over 450,000 living alumni, the University of Southern California offers valuable networking and mentorship opportunities for future career advancement.
Diversity: the University of Southern California fosters a diverse and inclusive community, preparing students to thrive in a globalized world.
Prime Location: Located in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California provides access to thriving industries and cultural hubs, creating unique internship and job placement opportunities.

Admissions

Avg acceptance rate (Bachelors)

10%

Application Fee

$75 - $155

How to Apply at University of Southern California

Online Application: Start by completing the online application form available on the official University of Southern California website or fill it out on Common Application.
Application Fee: Pay the non-refundable application fee of $85 for undergraduates or $90 for graduates.
Transcripts: Submit official transcripts from all secondary schools and colleges attended. These should be sent directly to the University of Southern California from the issuing institutions.
Test Scores: Arrange for official standardized test scores, such as the SAT ACT, GRE, or GAT to be sent. The University of Southern California also accepts international examination results like the TOEFL or IELTS for non-native English speakers.
Letters of Recommendation: Request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, or other individuals who can speak to your academic abilities and personal qualities.
Personal Statement/Essays: Craft compelling personal statements that showcase your achievements, experiences, goals, and reasons for choosing the University of Southern California.
Optional Materials: Some programs may require additional materials, such as portfolios, audition tapes, or writing samples.
Financial Aid: If you are seeking financial aid, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the CSS Profile by the specified deadline.
Submit Application: Review your application thoroughly before submitting it online. Ensure all required documents, including transcripts, test scores, and recommendation letters, have been sent to the University of Southern California.

Documents Required to Apply to University of Southern California

For undergraduates students:

Overall Application
Official Transcripts
Letter of Recommendation
Portfolio/Resume/Interviews (if requires by program)
Standardized Test Scores
English Proficiency Scores
Financial Documents
Passport Copies

For graduates students:

Overall Application
Official Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation
Resume or CV
Portfolio/Writing Samples (if requires by the program)
Standardized Test Scores
English Proficiency Scores
Financial Documents
Passport Copies

Exams Accepted By University of Southern California

Below are the minimum requirements for exams accepted by the University of Southern California (USC):

TOEFL (iBT): 100
IELTS: 7
PTE: 68
DET: 130
SAT: 650
ACT: 27
GRE: 303
GMAT: 708
LSAT: 168
MCAT: 517

Campus Life

Number of campuses the university has
2

Campus locations
California

View on Google Earth

Transportation in the city

USC Lyft Rides: the University of Southern California offers Lyft rides for convenient and personalized commuting, including carpooling and vanpooling options, reducing costs and promoting a flexible transportation experience.
Carpool & Vanpool: Commuters at the University of Southern California can opt for carpooling and vanpooling, sharing rides with others traveling in the same direction, reducing individual transportation costs, traffic congestion, and carbon emissions.
Public transportation: The city's well-developed network of buses and trains provides reliable and affordable travel options, facilitating efficient mobility and reducing reliance on private vehicles.
Walking: University of Southern California’s pedestrian-friendly streets and sidewalks encourage residents to embrace walking as a mode of transportation, promoting exercise, community engagement, and a healthier lifestyle.

Services offered by the university

Career Services: the University of Southern California offers career counseling, resume building, job search assistance, interview preparation, and networking opportunities.

Counseling & Mental Health Services: University of Southern California provides confidential support and counseling for stress, anxiety, depression, and academic challenges.
Financial Aid: University of Southern California assists students with scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities.
Student Health: University of Southern California offers general medical care, preventative services, immunizations, reproductive health care, and access to specialists.
Transportation & Parking Services: the University of Southern California provides parking permits, carpooling programs, bike-sharing initiatives, and shuttle services.
SCampus: A centralized resource for student-related university policies, ensuring transparency and clarity.

Student life at University of Southern California

University Park Campus: The University Park Campus, located three miles south of Downtown Los Angeles, offers a vibrant cultural community and an engaging academic environment on a 226-acre campus.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: the University of Southern California provides advanced facilities to support student's academic success and well-being. This includes 23 technology-enhanced campus libraries designed for studying, research, and multimedia production.
Athletic Facilities: The campus boasts a main gym covering 21,800 sq. ft., equipped for basketball, badminton, and volleyball. There's also a modern weight room, racquetball and squash courts, and opportunities for participation in Intramural Sports, Club Sports Teams, and Recreational Interest Clubs.
Organizations and Clubs: With a wide range of options, the University of Southern California offers over 960 student organizations catering to academic, professional, social, recreational, artistic, cultural, and community service interests.

On campus accomodation at University of Southern California

Approximately 35% of the student population chooses to stay in on-campus accommodation at The University of Southern California

For first-year undergraduate students, residence halls, suites, and apartments are available. Some of the famous residence halls are Marks Tower and Pardee Tower. Apartments include Annenberg House, Parkside Apartments, Troy Hall, La Sorbonne, and Webb Tower.

For graduate students, accommodations are available in Annenberg House, Centennial, Fairmount, Hillview, Severance Street Apartments, Troy East, University Regent, Twin Palm, etc.

Gender-inclusive accommodation facilities in the Cardinal Gardens and Century area are available for LGBTQ+ students.

Undergraduate freshmen residing in residence halls must opt for the mandatory complete meal (cardinal) plan. On the other hand, undergraduate sophomores and seniors must take the partial meal plan (apartment plan).

Faculty

University Faculty Stats

At the University of Southern California (USC), there are 4,600 faculty members. The student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1, indicating a favorable environment for individualized attention and support.

On average, classes at USC have approximately 26 students, ensuring a conducive learning environment and fostering close interactions between students and faculty.

Career Opportunities

University Endowments Value

7320000000

Placement of University of Southern California

Graduates from the University of Southern California have secured employment in diverse industries and sectors, ranging from technology and finance to healthcare and entertainment.

Hiring companies that frequently recruit University of Southern California graduates include:

Google
Apple
Amazon
Deloitte
Disney, among others.

In terms of salaries, University of Southern California graduates often receive competitive offers. According to salary data from Payscale, the University of Southern California, graduates receive a salary range of $51,454 to $1,50,118 per year.