University of Southern California Admission
Application Fee
$85
Graduate Application Fee
$90
Acceptance Rate
12.02%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
41.18%
Freshmen Enrollment
3,420
SAT Scores
1,520
For the 2022-2023 admission, a total of 69,062 students have applied and 8,304 students have allowed to admit to University of Southern California (Acceptance rate: 12.02%). USC's yield, also known as enrollment rate, is 41.18 % where 3,420 students have finally enrolled out of 8,304 admitted students.
USC acceptance rate is lower (tighter to admit) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California. Compared to similar schools in rankings such as Washington University in St Louis and Johns Hopkins University, its acceptance rate is slightly higher than the average (relatively easy to get in) (the average acceptance rate of the schools is 10.66%).
USC enrollment rate (yield) is higher (more admitted-students enrolled) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California. Compared to similar schools in rankings, its yield is average (average yield is 47.92%).
How to Apply to University of Southern California
The following table summarizes the contact and directory information to apply USC. USC offers benefits for veterans, service member, or qualified family members. You may need to prepare certificate of eligibility (COE ) from the Veterans Affairs .
| Admission | www.usc.edu/admission/ |
|---|---|
| Online Application | https://www.commonapp.org/ |
| Financial Aid | financialaid.usc.edu/ |
| Net Price Calculator | https://financialaid.usc.edu/npc |
| Veterans Tuition | https://arr.usc.edu/services/veteran-affairs/generalinfo.html |
| Disability Service | dsp.usc.edu/ |
Admission Statistics Charts
The following chart visualizes the admission statistics at USC and compares to similar schools by type, level and location.
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Test Scores Comparison
In 2023, the average SAT score at University of Southern California is 1,520 and the average ACT score is 34. Compared to similar schools in college rankings, the admission score of University of Southern California is comparable to the schools (average score is 1,512). You can check and compare the SAT and ACT scores by subject with tables and charts.
| SAT Average | ACT Average | |
|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | 1,520 | 34 |
| Similarly Colleges in Rankings | 1,512 | 34 |
| All U.S. Colleges | 1,123 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges | 1,132 | 69 |
| 4-Years Colleges | 1,124 | 68 |
| Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California | 1,178 | 75 |
SAT/ACT Scores by Subject
At University of Southern California, 1,173 students submitted SAT scores (34% of enrolled students).
The average SAT score is about 1,520 and it is extremely competitive scores than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California. The following table shows the SAT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 710 | 740 | 760 |
| Mathematics | 740 | 780 | 790 |
| Total | 1,450 | 1,520 | 1,550 |
*Data Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)(Last update: December 11, 2023)
At University of Southern California, 559 students submitted ACT scores (16% of enrolled students).
The average ACT score is about 34 and it is lower than average for Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California. The next table shows the ACT average scores by subject and 25th/75th percentile.
| 25th percentile | 50th percentile (Median) | 75th percentile | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Composite | 32 | 34 | 35 |
| English | 34 | 35 | 35 |
| Mathematics | 30 | 33 | 35 |
USC Admission Requirements
The following table summarizes the admission requirement to apply to University of Southern California. The school requires 7 items to submit - Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, Recommendations, Formal demonstration of competencies, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and Legacy status.
3 items are Considered if submitted - Secondary school rank, Admission test scores, and Personal statement or essay.
| Secondary school GPA | Required |
| Secondary school rank | Considered, if submitted |
| Secondary school record | Required |
| Completion of college-preparatory program | Required |
| Recommendations | Required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Required |
| Admission test scores | Considered, if submitted |
| TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) | Required |
| Work experience | Not Considered |
| Personal statement or essay | Considered, if submitted |
| Legacy status | Required |