University of Southern California
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. It has a campus size of 229 acres. This academic institution uses a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 12%. The freshman retention rate at University of Southern California is 96.54% and the six-year graduation rate is 93%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is January 15. The transfer application deadline is February 15.
Learn more about what University of Southern California has to offer based on the most recent data this institution has reported.
Quick Facts
20,620
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
12%
Acceptance Rate
$60,446
Tuition
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
93%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
If you know as much as possible about the institution's criteria for admission, you can make a better judgment about your eligibility and boost your chances of getting accepted. What are the admission requirements for University of Southern California?
According to the most recent information reported, this school uses standardized test scores for admission and it admitted 8,304 in 2022. University of Southern California has an official test-optional admission policy but considers standardized test scores in cases when they are submitted by the applicant. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is one of the most difficult schools to get into. With a rich history of academic excellence, it offers an unparalleled educational experience.
Test Scores
34% of first-time, first-year degree-seeking students submitted their SAT scores for admission, and 16% submitted ACT scores, out of the overall number of those who submitted test scores. 90.88% of the freshmen submitted SAT composite scores between 1,400 and 1,600, 8.27% between 1,200 and 1,399 and 0.85% between 1,000 and 1,199. The percent of freshmen who submitted ACT Composite scores in the range between 30-36 was 95.35, 4.11 between 24-29 and 0.54 in the range between 18-23.
The average ACT score for all the accepted students in 2022 was 32 and the average GPA was 3.87. Accordingly, you'll probably need an above-average GPA in order to be granted acceptance, as well as an above-average ACT score.
The SAT Critical Reading average score was 700 for the newly enrolled students, while the average SAT Math score was 714.
Deadlines
The cutoff date for submitting applications to University of Southern California is January 15. If you are applying as a transfer student, note that the application deadline is February 15.
12%
Acceptance Rate
Retention Rate
The student retention rate is the percentage of students who re-enroll from one year to the next. That information can tell you if the majority of freshmen liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for University of Southern California was 96.54% in 2022, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions have.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. This metric measures how efficiently students complete their degrees within a specific time period. The six-year graduation rate at this institution stands at 93%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the best fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a better idea of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at University of Southern California in 2022 was 46,405.
That year, the institution had 39% of out-of-state students. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 20,620, 2672 of which were international students. 1,295 students were accepted as transfer students.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 19,747 male and 22,940 female full-time students in 2022. 9,914 full-time graduate men and 12,511 full-time graduate women attended this school.
Student Population Diversity
When it comes to improving a sense of inclusion and belonging among students, there is no denying the importance of 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 5,037 Asian students and 1,325 Afro-American students in 2022. 3,588 undergraduate students at this school declared as Hispanic/Latino and 1,284 identified with more than one race. The school also had 53 students who declared as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, as well as 29 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 381 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
One of the most crucial things to take into account when applying to any college or university is the financial component. Here are some important facts 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 price for this university.
Tuition fees per academic year for full-time domestic students were $60,446 in 2022. As 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 reached $1,057 in 2022.
Books and Supplies
Another important expense to consider is the approximate cost of books and supplies for a college or university. The cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is estimated at about $1,200.
Boarding
The cost of dorm rooms and meals in the school's cafeteria is for sure something to take into consideration. What do colleges and universities typically charge for room and board?
At University of Southern California, the 2022 annual cost of room and board (on campus) was $16,732. If you only wanted a dorm room, you had to pay $10,102 for the 2022 academic year. The estimated expense of room-only (on campus) for commuters not living at home was also $10,102.
| Tuition | $ 60,446 |
| Room and Board | $ 16,732 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 1,200 |
| Total Expense | $ 78,378 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for finishing your studies. Check out some recent data to get informed about need-based and non-need-based aid at University of Southern California.
The most recent records show that 1,825 freshmen received some sort of financial help. The average financial aid package awarded to students totaled $60,819.
Need-based
Need-based aid is financial aid that a student can receive if they are determened to have financial need and meet other eligibility criteria.
7,569 students were granted some form of need-based financial aid. The overall number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 8,423. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution came to $32,172,962, and state $25,726,894. The students of University of Southern California received the -institutional need-based aid in the amount of $365,509,206, and external in the amount of $17,204,341.
$17,585
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. The most popular forms of non-need-based financial aid for students are loans and grants, like Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
Institutional non-need-based scholarships or grants were given to 5,197 students overall (including freshmen) at University of Southern California in 2022. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 1,442 full-time freshman. The total amount of institutional scholarships and awards that were not based on financial need was $78,765,242. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. The amount the students of this school received from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) was $20,277,277 USD.
Majors
Faculty
16:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty or student-to-professor ratio is the number of students compared to the number of professors at a school.
In 2022, this ratio at University of Southern California was 16:1. That means that there were 16 times more students than teachers at this school. The total number of faculty teaching at the institution is 451. This number included 168 male and 283 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school is telling of the importance gender equality has at University of Southern California.
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 details about social life at University of Southern California.
Student Organizations
A student organization is run by students at a university or a college institution, whose membership typically consists only of current students and/or alumni.
According to recently gathered data, there are 850 open-membership organizations at University of Southern California. Sororities and fraternities are included in that number. The percentage of male students who are members of organizations is 26 and female students 27. If you are interested in music, you can join the University of Southern California band or chorus. There is a drama club you can join if acting is something that interests you. Interested in media and communication? University of Southern California publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
University of Southern California offers a number of services vital for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are emergency phone and alarm devices available around the clock. Dormitory entrances at the school are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. Theer is a nighttime transportation/escort service.
This school has a health 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. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be excellent for your future career. Individual job placement is available to all students at this school.
FAQ
-
University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA.
-
The overall full-time tuition per academic year for University of Southern California is 60,446 USD, based on the most recent data.
-
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.
-
According to the latest information, the acceptance rate for University of Southern California is 12%.
-
According to the latest information, the freshman retention rate for University of Southern California is 96.54%.
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.
Find the best schools for you.
Need help with choosing grad school? We got you.
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.