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University of Southern California
Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in CA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.
Annual Tuition
$68,237
Average Sticker Price
Admission Rate
10.0%
Selectivity Level
Graduation Rate
92.2%
Completion Success
Median Earnings
$92,498
10y Career Outlook
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About Institution
University of Southern California is a distinguished Private nonprofit, 4-Year institution located in Los Angeles, CA. With a competitive tuition profile of $68,237, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 92.2% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.
Admissions Intel
SAT Score Range
ACT Score Range
Acceptance Rate
10.0%
What You Need to Apply
Application requirements for University of Southern California
GPA: 3.77 – 4 (unweighted mid-50%)
1 Essay Required
250-word essay about pursuing academic interests at USC + ~10 short-answer questions. Some schools require additional essays.
1 Recommendation Letter Required
One from counselor or teacher required
Required Documents
- • Common App
- • High school transcript
- • Recommendation letter
- • Essays + short answers
- • SAT/ACT (optional)
Key Deadlines
Early Decision
November 1, 2026
Early Action
November 1, 2026
Regular Decision
January 10, 2027
Merit scholarship consideration requires Nov 1 app
Financial Aid Priority Deadline
February 3, 2027
File FAFSA by this date to maximize aid eligibility.
Important
11.2% acceptance rate. Returning to requiring SAT/ACT for Fall 2026 entry with hardship exceptions.
Last verified: April 12, 2026. Source: USC Admissions. Always verify requirements directly with University of Southern California before applying.
Investment Return
Estimated College ROI Analysis
Total 4-Year Cost
$272,948
Based on sticker tuition
Estimated Payback
4.4 yrs
Time to recoup investment
Annual Earnings Boost
+$62,498
vs. $30k HS diploma baseline
10-Year Net Gain
+$352,032
Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost
20-Year Net Gain
+$977,012
Long-term projected return on your education investment
ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at University of Southern California is $18,000.
Student Community
Gender Balance
Ethnic Diversity
Security Audit
Incidents
343
Burglary
38
Theft
254
Assault
15
Robbery
11
Rape
17
Arson
8
Murder
0
Financial Outlook
Total Sticker Price
$68,237
Estimated cost before aid.
Net Price By Income
Debt & Financial Aid
Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.
Grant Aid (IPEDS 2021)
* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.
Quick Overview
Faculty Ratio
N/A
Retention
96.5%
Success
92.2%
In-State Cost
$68,237
Age 25+ Students
60.6%
Carnegie Class
R1: Doctoral — Very High Research
Working at 6yr
3,041 students
Security Benchmark
Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)
Violent Offenses
PER 100KProperty Crimes
PER 100KStats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.
Living In Los Angeles
Off-Campus Market Estimator
Studio
$1,777
Monthly Average
1 Bedroom
$2,006
Monthly Average
2 Bedrooms
$2,544
Monthly Average
3 Bedrooms
$
Monthly Average
Data provided by HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR). These estimates assist with financial planning for off-campus housing in the Los Angeles metropolitan area.