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Los Angeles , CA
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California. Established in 1880, USC is one of the oldest private research universities in California and has consistently been ranked among the top universities in the United States. It offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, including business, engineering, cinema, law, and the arts.
USC has gained fame for its strong academic programs, distinguished faculty, and vibrant campus life. The university is home to more than 50,000 students, including an international student population from over 115 countries. USC provides a supportive and collaborative learning environment, encouraging students to explore their interests, engage in deep intellectual discussions, and develop critical thinking and leadership skills. With state-of-the-art facilities, research centers, and libraries, USC offers students an opportunity to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in their chosen fields.
Apart from its academic excellence, USC is known for its diverse and inclusive community. The university offers a wide range of extracurricular activities, student organizations, and cultural and athletic events to foster student engagement and personal growth. USC's location in the heart of Los Angeles also provides students with numerous opportunities for internships, career connections, and exposure to a vibrant city and its diverse industries. Overall, the University of Southern California offers an enriching and transformative educational experience, preparing students to become leaders in their respective fields and make a positive impact on their communities and the world.
Located in Los Angeles, CA and set in an urban environment, University of Southern California is a private university. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 9%. The freshman retention rate at University of Southern California is 95.56% and the six-year graduation rate is 92%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is February 15.
Here are some recent information on important things to consider about University of Southern California.
Quick Facts
20,630
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
$73,260
Tuition
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
92%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
In order to improve your chances of getting admitted, you need to know as much as possible about the university's criteria for admission. Here are the most essential information you have to know about admission at University of Southern California.
According to the most recent data, this institution uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 16,100 in 2024. University of Southern California has an official test-optional admission policy but takes into consideration standardized test scores if the applicant decides to submit them. Looking at entrance difficulty level for all or most incoming freshmen, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. Having a long tradition of academic success and a dedication to encouraging intellectual curiosity, University of Southern California provides a unique educational experience.
Test Scores
30% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 12% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 91.1% of the new students submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 7.9% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 1.1% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of new students who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 95.1, 4.7 between 24-29 and 0.2 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2024 was 32 and the average GPA was 3.8. This implies that you'll probably need a GPA above the average to secure admission, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The new students had an average SAT Critical Reading score of 700 and an average SAT Math score of 714.
Deadlines
The last day for submitting applications to University of Southern California is January 15. When submitting your application as a transfer student, the application deadline is February 15.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is the percentage of college or university first-year students who return for their sophomore year. Why is that information important? Because it tells you if the majority of freshmen enjoyed their first year at a school enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of Southern California was 95.56% in 2024, which is an amazing retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
Another important metric to consider is the graduation rate. This rate indicates how many students finish their degrees within a certain timeframe. At this school, the rate of students graduating within six years is 92%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Making the choice of which school is the optimal fit for you is not easy. You can have a better understanding of the school's culture and way of life by finding out more about the student body.
Main Student Body
The total number of students enrolled at University of Southern California in 2024 was 46,645.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 38% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 20,630, 2714 of which were foreign students. The school reported to have a total of 1,339 transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 19,172 male and 21,824 female full-time students in 2024. 9,914 full-time graduate men and 12,511 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. Diversity promotes critical thinking, challenges preconceived notions, and encourages intellectual growth, so it helps students develop empathy and a broader understanding of the world. Find out more about different ethnic groups you can meet at University of Southern California.
This school had 4,769 Asian students and 1,447 Afro-American students in 2024. 4,805 students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,301 identified with more than one race. The school also had 44 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 37 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 824 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into consideration when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important data on University of Southern California costs that most students encounter at this school.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
Tuition in 2024 was $73,260 for full-time domestic students. Since University of Southern California is a private institution, there is no difference in tuition for out-of-state or international students. Fees per academic year required of full-time students amounted to $1,902 in 2024.
Books and Supplies
When you try to estimate the cost of attendance for a college or university, you need to take into account the cost of books and supplies you're going to need. The approximate price of books and supplies for a full-time student of this school is $650.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What is the typical amount colleges and universities charge for lodging and meals?
In 2024, room and board cost at University of Southern California amounted to $20,907 a year. Room-only (on campus) cost per academic year at this school reached $12,879, according to the data from 2024. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $12,879.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 73,260 |
| Room and Board | $ 20,907 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 650 |
| Total Expense | $ 94,817 |
Financial Aid
Obtaining some financial aid in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get the info about need-based and non-need-based monetary aid students could get at University of Southern California.
According to the most recent data, 3,538 freshmen were awarded financial aid. Students of this school received an average of $17,023 in financial help.
Need-based
If you need help with paying for your studies and you meet certain eligibility requirements, you may be eligible for need-based aid.
10,362 students received some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need came to be 12,359. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution reached $40,518,031, and state $45,850,119.
$4,821
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based aid is any type of financial aid given to a student who does not meet the requirements for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
3,255 students, including freshmen, were awarded institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2024. Institutional help in the form of non-need-based scholarships or grants was given to 1,062 full-time freshmen. Federal non-need-based scholarships and grants totaled $40,518,031 for students at this institution, while state aid came to $2,562,074. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $23,014,880. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers.
Open Applications
Find open programs by choosing your preferred academic interest from the list below, and select your desired term start. Get started with your application process and find more information using the Apply button.
Majors
Faculty
8:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio can tell you a lot about the teaching resources a school provides for its students.
In 2024, this ratio at University of Southern California was 8:1. That means that there were 8 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 3,727 faculty members. Out of that number, there were 2,129 male and 1,598 female faculty members.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Knowing what to expect out of campus life at a college or university can set you up for success. Find out some information about students' life at University of Southern California.
Its campus is 229 acres in size.
Student Organizations
Student organizations are run by students of an institution, and its membership usually consists exclusively of current students and/or alumni.
This school has 850 open-membership student organizations you can participate in. That includes sororities and fraternities. At this school, 26% of male students are members of social organizations, while that percentage is 27 for female students. If you are interested in music, you can join the University of Southern California band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a talent for media and communication? University of Southern California publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
At University of Southern California, there are many amenities required for a pleasant and safe life on campus.
24/7 emergency phone and alarm devices are available. There are electronically operated dormitory entrances. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. The after-hours transportation/escort service is available.
There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services and Women's Center are available to the students of University of Southern California.
All in all, campus life at University of Southern California is rich and vibrant and provides all you need for a comfortable stay.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at University of Southern California.
Career Counselling
At University of Southern California, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a library, a job bank, and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The career center offers resume preparation and resume referral to employers. There is campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be a great asset for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
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University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA.
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According to the latest information, you would need to pay about 73,260 USD per academic year for University of Southern California.
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This school has an official test-optional admission policy but makes use of SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, or other standardized test scores in admission decisions for the candidates who choose to submit them.
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The most recent reported acceptance rate for University of Southern California is 9%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for University of Southern California is 95.56%.
Contact Information
University of Southern California
University Park Campus
Los Angeles , CA
90089
213 740-2311
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.