Acceptance Rate
10%
Avg. SAT
1550
75th percentile
“LA's ambitious private giant where film visionaries, business leaders, and engineers thrive amid urban energy and Trojan pride.”
Los Angeles, CA
Location
Large City
Campus Setting
Los Angeles wraps around USC like a bustling stage set, offering beaches, Hollywood studios, and startup hubs just minutes away by Metro or bike, yet traffic and high living costs (apartments often exceed $2,000 monthly) demand smart budgeting and planning. Students who shine here crave action and connections; introverted types or those seeking rural calm might feel overwhelmed by the constant buzz. USC's legacy blends Methodist roots with secular ambition, producing go-getters who treat college as a launchpad.
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Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Test Policy
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Average GPA
Application Fee
Academics
Student-Faculty Ratio
Programs Offered
Full-Time Faculty
Women Faculty
Research Spending
Degree Levels Offered
Research thrives here, from neuroscience labs probing Alzheimer's to sustainability centers tackling urban heat, with undergrads co-authoring papers early. The intellectual vibe stays practical over purely theoretical—you'll debate policy one day, pitch startups the next. Tradeoffs include competitive internal transfers to elite programs and occasional large-class anonymity before upper-division specialization.
Student Body
Total Enrollment
20,630 undergrad • 25,936 grad
Undergraduate
Graduate
International
White
23%
Black / African American
6%
Hispanic / Latino
16%
Asian
20%
Other / Multi-racial
35%
Campus Life
Campus Setting
Los Angeles, CA
Varsity Athletics
NCAA Athletics
LA's endless distractions—hikes in Griffith Park, tacos in Boyle Heights—pull you off-campus often, creating a vibrant but fragmented social flow compared to isolated college towns. Hot, smoggy summers and earthquake awareness add edge, while sky-high off-campus rents push many into cramped shared housing. The vibe suits outgoing networkers; quieter souls might lean on niche clubs to find their crew.
Housing
On-Campus Housing
Housing Capacity
Meal Plan Available
Average Room & Board
Athletics
Athletic Association
Big Ten Conference
ROTC & Veteran Support
Army
Yes
Navy
Yes
Air Force
Yes
Veteran’s Programs Available
Yellow Ribbon Program (Post-9/11 GI Bill)
Yes
Credit for military training
Yes
Dedicated point of contact for veteran support services
Yes
Recognized student veteran organization
Yes
Member of DoD Voluntary Educational Partnership MOU
Yes
Cost & Aid
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
Room & Board
Estimated Cost
Financial Aid
Students Receiving Aid
Receiving Pell Grants
Average Grant
Average Federal Loan
Net Annual Cost by Household Income
Household Income
Avg. Net Cost
$0 – $30K
$12,404
$30K – $48K
$12,875
$48K – $75K
$18,626
$75K – $110K
$27,959
$110K+
$45,251
Apply for Financial Aid
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Costs shown are before financial aid. Most students receive some form of aid. Complete the FAFSA to see what you qualify for.
Outcomes & Earnings
Retention Rate
96%
4 Years Graduation Rate
84%
6 Years Graduation Rate
93%
Median 10-Year Earnings
$92,498
96% of first-time, full-time students complete their freshman year at University of Southern California and return in the fall. 84% of first-time, full-time students graduate in 4 years, and 93% graduate within 6 years.
Graduation Rate
4-year grads
84%
4-5 years
9%
6-8 years
1%
Non-grad
6%
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Key Statistics
Type
Private
Tuition
$63,468
Acceptance
10%
Undergrads
20,630
4-Year Grad Rate
84%
Endowment
$6.2B
Los Angeles, CA 90089