About University of Southern California

Founded in 1880, University of Southern California. is a Private college. Located in California, which is a city setting in California, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 18,794 full time undergraduate students, and 25,077 full time graduate students.

The University of Southern California Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 9:1. There are 2062 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at University of Southern California include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate16%
Application Deadline
Application Fee80
SAT Range1280-1500
ACT Range30-33

Admissions at USC are considered Most Selective, with ,166% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 6 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at University of Southern California.

University of Southern California REVIEWS

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    270 Students rated on-campus housing 3.4 stars. 19 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    233 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    289 Students rated campus food 3.6 stars. 20 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    292 Students rated campus facilities 4.4 stars. 52 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    289 Students rated class size 4.1 stars. 43 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    286 Students rated school activities 4.4 stars. 58 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    286 Students rated local services 4 stars. 45 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    292 Students rated academics 4 stars. 43 % gave the school a 5.0.

What's your overall opinion of University of Southern California?

121 Students rated University of Southern California

Joshua - 12/28/2023

USC is a great school, a dream school for students who want to have an intimate relationship with professors and colleagues. Class size is small enough to get full attention. Academics are challenging enough to learn beyond what is given. Great school!

Samantha - 11/17/2023

USC is an amazing place to learn since it has an insane amount of cool professors that have tons of passion for their work and are very empathic for their students. The campus is also beautiful and the safety is top notch considering that LA can sometimes be dangerous. Overall, USC is the best.

Abisola - 11/07/2023

University of Southern California has both a positive reputation and a dynamic academic environment that aligns with my ambitions. During a field trip to the USC campus, I was fascinated by its uniqueness which sets it apart from other university campuses I’ve visited. The cupcake machine is one of the examples of the university’s student-focused approach. It showed me that USC is committed to providing a learning environment that caters to academic and personal needs. In addition, USC’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion resonates deeply with me, especially coming from a non-diverse school. I see USC as a place where I can collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds, exchange unique experiences and ideas, and gain different perspectives that will aid in my academic and personal development. In conclusion, USC represents not only a prestigious academic institution but also a place where I can achieve my educational goals, personal growth, and contribute to a diverse and inclusive community.

Olivia - 03/28/2023

Personally, the University of Southern California has a diverse student body with plenty of resources available for students to thrive. No matter what you plan to pursue, the University of Southern California has a place for you. There interdisciplinary learning allows for students to dive deeper into other areas of study that interest them, creating well-rounded students both academically and socially.

University of Southern California FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at University of Southern California?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for University of Southern California is 16%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    I have received a sense of unity, and envolvement that I have never felt before. Often my focus remains on only academics and learning, however, I have learned to broaden my mind to other experiences and allow myself to open my mind and soul to opportunities that were left closed. It is most valuable to look beyond one's own surrounding and take in what people and one's environment has to offer, mentally and physically. Life and living is not about a closed door, but an open door to explore and lives to ones full potential. By attending this school, I have allowed myself to be open and strive for the best being that there are so many people in the world with great capabilities and astounding abilities that inspire an individual like myself to value my life, my education, and my potention future.

    Read all  279 answers
  3. Describe the students at your school.

    They are definitely diverse, passionate, and really talented.

    Read all  113 answers
  4. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    I feel that USC embodies a large research university quite well, but it also has a strong sense of partying and social life seems to revolve more than I would wish around alcohol and parties instead of academics or a focus on innovation and academic change. However, recently I've seen a group fo students here who really focus on technology and innovation that I've been able to work with well and has been very encouraging. Overall, faculty is interesting and helpful towards helping with material and classes, overall tend to be on your side.

    Read all  79 answers
  5. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Read all  79 answers
  6. What are the academics like at your school?

    Read all  71 answers
  7. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    That we are the University of Spoiled children. Everyone just drinks and parties.

    Read all  68 answers
  8. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Yes and no. In regards to being wealthy - out of the many many people I met while attending the Masters program film school, I only stumbled upon three rich people and they were all nice and down to earth. In regards to being Republican - a friend of mine is a student assistant for the undergraduate classes and he says about 90{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of his students are in fact, republican.

    Read all  65 answers
  9. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    I wish I had known the level of stress and pressure placed upon students who are following Pre-Health career pathways. Competition is fierce amongst the brightest Pre-Health students in all of my science classes.

    Read all  60 answers
  10. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    Greek life is pretty big. 'Thirsty Thursdays' on the Row are big, every week. Going to football games (and the preceding tailgates) is very common. There are also several acapella and dance groups. Visions and Voices, a program that brings performing groups, artists, authors, actors, speakers, and previews/retrospectives of Film & TV to campus is very commonly attended as well.

    Read all  59 answers
  11. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    My school is an academically challenging, demographically diverse university; in spite of the fact hat every individual strives for his/her maximum achievement, there is no forceful competition within the student body, but rather reciprocally supportive spirit between students as well as in interaction with teaching assistants and professors. The overall support provided by USC covers physical as well as psychological health issues, academic struggles, and problems evoked by the new setting every student is placed into; even though the university is huge (geographically and population wise), you never feel lonely, but rather surrounded by caring fellow Trojans.

    Read all  58 answers
  12. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    Football

    Read all  54 answers
  13. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    If I had to choose the worst thing that USC has to offer to its students would be its athletic center called the Lyon Center. The facility is in dire need of renovation including new machines and locker rooms.

    Read all  50 answers
  14. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    Well, there are two types of people who come here, very hard workers, and the extremely sociable people. Sometimes they mix, often times they're separated. So if you dont fit either categories, it would be difficult here. Also, anyone who cares about the success of their future should consider attending as well.

    Read all  49 answers
  15. What's unique about your campus?

    The best thing about the USC is the alumni and prospect for your future career after you graduate from college. There's a general sense that you're basically covered to find a job in whatever field you are studying in by the time you leave college, so there isn't much a of a worry about finding a job out there.

    Read all  42 answers
  16. What kind of person should attend this school?

    outgoing, spirited, hardworking, athletic

    Read all  42 answers
  17. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    The many activities, and envolvement of the student body

    Read all  38 answers
  18. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The amount of coursework

    Read all  32 answers
  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    I think the stereotype for USC is greek life/athletes. On the surface, it appears to be true. Walking around campus, it seems like most students are repping their letters on their clothes, bags, or hats. Freshman year, the majority of students party on greek row, and there is definitely some pressure to join a sorority or fraternity. Greek life seems to dominate the social setting. In actuality, less than 30{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of students are involved in greek life, I think that they are just the loudest, and are obnoxious about it. There are plenty of other groups on campus, not the mention the amazing Thornton School of Music which attracts lots of students whose interests delve deeper than partying and looking good. USC is somewhat defined by its stereotype of being a big greek life/party school, but it's big enough to find lots of other social settings and organizations. if you make an effort, you will find whatever it is that you want at USC. USC is what you make of it.

    Read all  27 answers
  20. Why did you decide to go to this school?

    After going to boarding school for high school for 4 years, I needed increased freedom and that required a complete change of coasts. I visited the school during the Summer before my senior year, when I was finalizing my list of choices. I absolutely adored the weather, the people I met, the campus, the school's competitive academic nature, and #1 Film school in the United States. All this, combined with the school's eventual acceptance of my application in April the following year, led to my almost immediate decision to accept admission.

    Read all  12 answers
  21. Describe the dorms.

    At USC, dorms are typically reserved for freshmen. Each dorm has a distinct vibe based on its set-up and the students that tend to pick it. Here's the lowdown on some of USC's most popular residential colleges: Birnkrant: With the motto, "Eight floors of open doors," Birnkrant is known for its tight-knit community. As of 2011-2012, students must be on an academic scholarship or enrolled in the Thematic Option Honors Program to reside here. Rooms are "cozy" and predominantly doubles, with a few singles and triples thrown in. (These triples are a well-kept secret -- they have a living room of sorts, a luxury very few freshmen have.) Gender-specific bathrooms are communal and floors are coed. Located on McCarthy Quad. A 24-hour convenience store, Trojan Grounds (TroGro) is located on the first floor. New-North: Widely regarded as the most social (read: party dorm) residential college at USC, New-North is a popular choice with students who are looking to go greek. It's often loud, so many residents make use of Leavey library when they need to hit the books, just a couple hundred feet away. Features a cinema floor, and some rooms have sinks. Also located on McCarthy Quad. Parkside Arts & Humanities/International Res. Colleges: These recently constructed suite-style dorms are fresh and air-conditioned. They feature the best dining hall on campus, but are isolated from any other freshman housing. There are study rooms, TV lounges, billiards, and a gym. Popular with GDIs, as anti-greeks often call themselves. Fluor Tower: Fluor rooms are a cross between a suite and an apartment - a small kitchenette in each unit lessens the blow that dining halls are a trek away. Features many special interest floors and is quite popular with athletes because of its proximity to the Lyon Center Gym. Pardee: Pardee is kind of like Birnkrant Light. Rooms are similar, but are located on single sex floors. Also on McCarthy Quad, Pardee is close to the beautiful Doheny Library and student-run coffeehouse Ground Zero, a great locale for studying, board games, open mic nights, and the best milkshakes in LA.

    Read all  11 answers

Student Body

Students

52%

female

48%

male

18,794

Total Undergrad Enrollment

25,077

Total Grad Students

42%

Out-Of-State

42%

In-State

16%

International

Organizations

764

Student Organizations

36

Fraternities

25

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

17%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
21%
% Black or African-American
4%
% Hispanic/Latino
14%
% White or Caucasian
39%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

64% of students attending University of Southern California receive some sort of financial aid. 17% were awarded federal grants. While 27% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$52,283

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,200

Books and Supplies

$14,348

Room and Board

67,831

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$16,002
$30 - $48K
$16,941
$48 - $75K
$21,751
$75 - $110K
$31,583
$110K & UP
$51,147

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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