Skip to content
Photo: Wikipedia

University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA·Private·~10% acceptance

Located in Los Angeles, CA, University of Southern California is a private university. With an acceptance rate of about 10%, it is among the most selective schools in the United States. Students pay an average net price of about $32,740 per year after financial aid. About 92% of students graduate, and alumni earn a median of about $92,498 ten years after enrolling.

Average cost
$32,740/yr avg net price after aid
Full cost $90,300
Aid cuts ~$57,560/yr on average

Average across all aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take the free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.

Deadlines
ED
Nov 1
EA
Nov 1
RD
Jan 10

ED, EA and RD not confirmed with the college yet. Check their site before you rely on it.

Add this school to your list to track these deadlines on your dashboard.

Deadline look wrong? Tell us

Your fit

Blueprint scores how well University of Southern California matches your grades, budget, and preferences. New to Blueprint? Start with the Discovery quiz to find your best-fit majors first.

Admissions
GPA range3.54–4
SAT (middle 50%)1450–1550
ACT (middle 50%)32–35
Test policyTest optional
Programs
Computer Science
Data Science / Statistics
Information Systems / IT
Mathematics
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
Environmental Science
Outcomes
92%
graduation rate
96%
freshman retention
$74,461
median earnings, 6yr
$92,498
median earnings, 10yr
How Southern California reads an application

What Southern California values

Very important
Course rigorGrades (GPA)Test scoresApplication essaysRecommendations
Important
ExtracurricularsTalent / abilityCharacter / personal qualities
Also considered
First-generation statusAlumni relation (legacy)Volunteer workWork experience

From Southern California’s Common Data Set. Put your effort where it counts most.

What Southern California requires

Required
Grades (GPA)Course rigorCollege-prep programRecommendationsApplication essaysDemonstration of competenciesTOEFL / English proficiency
Considered
Class rankTest scoresWork experienceAlumni relation (legacy)

From federal IPEDS data — what Southern California requires vs considers (not how heavily each is weighed).

Frequently asked questions
What is University of Southern California's acceptance rate?
University of Southern California admits about 10% of applicants.
How much does University of Southern California cost?
At University of Southern California, the average net price after aid is about $32,740 per year, and the full cost of attendance is about $90,300 per year before aid. Your actual price depends on your family's income. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker for an estimate based on your numbers.
What SAT or ACT scores do you need for University of Southern California?
The middle 50% of admitted students score 1450–1550 on the SAT and 32–35 on the ACT.
What are University of Southern California's application deadlines?
University of Southern California's deadlines are Early Decision around Nov 1, Early Action around Nov 1, Regular Decision around Jan 10. Always confirm exact dates on the school's official site.
What does University of Southern California value most in applicants?
In its most recent Common Data Set, University of Southern California rates Course rigor, Grades (GPA), Test scores, Application essays, and Recommendations as "very important" in admissions decisions, and also weighs Extracurriculars, Talent / ability, and Character / personal qualities. Take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see how your profile lines up.

See if University of Southern California is a fit for you

Two free steps: find your best-fit majors with the Discovery quiz, then run the College Matchmaker for your real admission odds and net price at University of Southern California, side by side with your other schools.