University of Southern California is a private nonprofit 4-year college in Los Angeles, California with 20,443 undergraduates. It admits 9.8% of applicants, costs an average of $33,056 a year after grants and graduates 90% of its students.
Figures from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, released October 15, 2026. What each number covers.
University of Southern California acceptance rate and admissions
University of Southern California admitted 9.8% of applicants for fall 2024, about 1 in 10. The median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%.
Test scores: Considered but not required (as reported for fall 2024 admission). That means you can apply without SAT or ACT scores. Check the admissions office for the current policy.
SAT total
1450 to 1550
4001600
ACT composite
32 to 35
136
The colored band is the middle 50% of enrolled students in fall 2024 (reading and writing 710 to 760, math 740 to 790). The tick marks the typical 4-year college. Check how your scores fit.
University of Southern California application deadlines 2026-27
Round
Deadline
Early decision
Nov 1, 2026 (passed)
Early action
Nov 1, 2026 (passed)
Regular decision
Jan 10, 2027
Next deadline: Regular decision, Jan 10, 2027. Application fee through the Common App: $85 for U.S. applicants. Confirm dates on University of Southern California’s admissions page; see every college on the deadline calendar.
Source: Common App 2026-27 first-year deadlines, fees and requirements grid, updated Sep 25, 2026.
University of Southern California tuition, cost and net price
Tuition and fees (2025-26)
$75,162
On-campus housing and food (2025-26)
$20,817
Total cost of attendance (2024-25)
$95,048
Average net price after grants (2024-25)
$33,056
Students who get federal aid pay an average of $33,056 a year after grants and scholarships, $61,992 less than the full cost of attendance.
What families pay, by income
Average yearly cost after grants for aided first-time students, by family income (2024-25):
University of Southern California graduation rate, earnings and debt
90%finished within 6 years96%came back for year two27%get a Pell Grant
90% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years (students who started in 2019).
Former students earned a median of $103,420 a year, 10 years after they started (students who received federal aid and were working).
Students who completed left with a median of $17,000 in federal student loans.
Earnings compared
University of Southern California$103,420
California median, private nonprofit 4-year$73,040
U.S. median, private nonprofit 4-year$59,582
Debt compared
University of Southern California$17,000
California median$21,554
U.S. median$23,250
Median debt is 16% of median earnings 10 years after entry. Many advisers suggest keeping total student debt below one year of expected pay. See the monthly payment.
University of Southern California majors and what graduates earn
University of Southern California awarded bachelor's degrees in 82 fields recently. The best-paid graduates four years out came from computer science ($192,897).
Computer science$192,897
Computer engineering$166,369
Electrical engineering$131,532
Aerospace engineering$125,514
Computer Software and Media Applications$115,839
Industrial engineering$112,150
Real Estate Development$107,292
Civil engineering$106,308
All 82 majors at University of Southern California
Four-year earnings: graduates of 2017-18 and 2018-19, measured in 2022 and 2023, in 2024 dollars. Fields with few graduates have no published earnings.
Graduate programs at University of Southern California
185 graduate programs awarded degrees recently. Largest first.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern California?
University of Southern California admitted 9.8% of applicants for fall 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
How much does University of Southern California cost?
Tuition and fees for 2025-26 are $75,162. After grants and scholarships, aided students paid an average net price of $33,056 a year in 2024-25.
What SAT score do you need for University of Southern California?
The middle 50% of enrolled students scored 710 to 760 in reading and writing and 740 to 790 in math, and 32 to 35 on the ACT. Scores inside these ranges are typical for admitted students.
Is University of Southern California test-optional?
For fall 2024 admission, University of Southern California reported that test scores were: considered but not required. Policies change, so confirm with the admissions office.
What is the graduation rate at University of Southern California?
90% of first-time, full-time students finished within six years.
How much do University of Southern California graduates make?
Former students who received federal aid earned a median of $103,420 a year 10 years after they started, in 2024 dollars.
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