USC Rankings and Evaluation
National Universities
#25 in National Universities
World Universities
#65 in World Universities
California Colleges
#5 in California Colleges
University of Southern California is ranked 25th in National Universities, 65th in World Universities, and 5th in California Colleges.
The following statements evaluate University of Southern California by comparing key academic facts to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
- Its tuition & fees of $71,647 is very expensive compared to similar schools.
- The acceptance rate (10%) is much lower (extremely difficult to get in).
- The SAT & ACT scores (1,500 SAT, 33 ACT) is extremely competitive scores.
- It has very large number of students of 46,566.
- The financial aid amount ($48,649) is average.
- It offers very diverse area of study (470 programs).
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees of USC are $71,647 and it is very expensive compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California $71,647
All U.S. Colleges $17,692
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges $26,737
4-Years Colleges $22,926
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California $27,917
Graduate Tuition & Fees
The 2025 graduate tuition & fees of USC are $71,515 and it is very expensive compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California $71,515
All U.S. Colleges $18,842
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges $18,688
4-Years Colleges $18,848
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California $23,169
Acceptance Rate
The acceptance rate of USC is 10% and it is much lower (extremely difficult to get in) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California 10%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 66%
4-Years Colleges 68%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California 60%
Yield (Enrollment Rate)
The yield, also known as enrollment rate, of USC is 43% and the yield is average compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California 43%
All U.S. Colleges 37%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 35%
4-Years Colleges 35%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California 32%
SAT Scores
The average SAT score submitted by enrolled students at USC is 1,500 and it is extremely competitive scores compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California 1,500
All U.S. Colleges 1,123
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 1,132
4-Years Colleges 1,124
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California 1,178
ACT Scores
The average ACT score submitted by enrolled students at USC is 33 and it is lower compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California 33
All U.S. Colleges 68
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 69
4-Years Colleges 68
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California 75
Graduation Rate
The average graduation rate at USC is 92% and it is extremely higher (most students completed in-time) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California 92%
All U.S. Colleges 56%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 56%
4-Years Colleges 51%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California 63%
Retention Rate
The average retention rate at USC is 96% and it is extremely higher (most students continue to attend) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California 96%
All U.S. Colleges 69%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 74%
4-Years Colleges 73%
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California 76%
Student Population
The total student population at USC is 46,566 and its population very large compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California 46,566
All U.S. Colleges 2,931
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 2,477
4-Years Colleges 4,686
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California 2,024
Financial Aid Amount
The average amount of financial aid received at USC is $48,649 which is 67.90% of tuition & fees. The rate of the financial aid over its tuition is average compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California $48,649
All U.S. Colleges $7,676
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges $16,488
4-Years Colleges $12,161
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California $17,459
Student to Faculty Ratio
The students to faculty ratio at USC is 9 to 1 and the ratio is lower (small size classes) compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California 9 to 1
All U.S. Colleges 15 to 1
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 12 to 1
4-Years Colleges 14 to 1
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California 11 to 1
Number of Programs
USC offers 470 programs and it means very diverse area of study compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.
University of Southern California 470
All U.S. Colleges 37
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges 45
4-Years Colleges 58
Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California 32
Number of Online Programs
USC offers 15 online programs and it means online classes for many programs compared to Private (not-for-profit), 4-Years Colleges in California.