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University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA·Private·www.usc.edu/

Campus Identity

Ski TownNCAA D1Greek LifePhD Programs

University of Southern California is a large private nonprofit university in Los Angeles, CA. Approximately 20,443 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 10% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 11 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 42 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 46/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

At a Glance

University of Southern California is a large private nonprofit university in Los Angeles, CA. Approximately 20,443 students are enrolled. Admissions are highly selective with a 10% acceptance rate. The nearest beach is about 11 miles from campus. Ski resorts are within 42 miles of campus. Greek life is active on campus. CollegeCove's campus safety score is 46/100 (Less Safe), based on U.S. Department of Education Clery Act data.

10%
Acceptance Rate
82,027 applications
33
ACT Score (50th %ile)
Range: 32–35
$72,097
2024-25 Tuition
$32,740
Avg Net Price
What students actually pay
$19,931
Room & Board
20,443
Total Enrollment
Undergraduate students
43%
Yield Rate
Admitted students who enrolled
92%
Graduation Rate
Within 150% of normal time
Selectivity10% · Selective
Highly SelectiveOpen

SAT Scores (25th–75th Percentile)

SAT Evidence-Based Reading

710730760

SAT Math

740770790

Campus Lifestyle

University of Southern California is a 20,000+, urban school with NCAA D1 athletics and a moderate greek life Greek scene. The campus is 11 miles from Venice Beach, CA and 30 miles from Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC.

Athletics

NCAA D1

Big Ten

Greek Life

Moderate Greek Life

2% frats · 12% sororities

School Size & Setting

20,000+

Urban setting

Beach Access

11 miles

Venice Beach, CA

Weather

Hot Climate

64°F avg school-year

Ski Town

University of Southern California students have access to 3 ski resorts within driving distance. The closest is Mt. Waterman Ski Lift, LLC, 30 miles away. All are within 42 miles of campus.

30 mi away
42 mi away
800 skiable acres4 lifts
42 mi away
290 skiable acres14 lifts

Nearest Beach

Students at University of Southern California are 11 miles from Venice Beach, CA.

Venice Beach, CA

Ocean access within 10.9 miles

11 mi away

Average Monthly Temperature

1991–2020 Climate Normals · Los Angeles, CA

Los Angeles has a warm climate, with winters averaging 58°F in Dec and summers peaking around 75°F in Aug.

58°Jan59°Feb61°Mar64°Apr66°May69°Jun73°Jul75°Aug74°Sep69°Oct63°Nov58°Dec

Station: LOS ANGELES DOWNTOWN · Source: NOAA NCEI

On Campus Safety Score

2021–2023 U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security data normalized per 1,000 students

University of Southern California in CA earns a composite safety score of 46/100, rated Less Safe among U.S. colleges.

46/100
Less Safe
PersonalSafetyPropertySafetyParty SceneSafety443076
44/100
Personal
assault, rape, stalking, dating and domestic violence
30/100
Property
burglary, vehicle theft, arson
76/100
Party Scene
drug, alcohol & weapons enforcement

On Campus Safety data from the U.S. Dept. of Education Clery Act Database, normalized per 1,000 enrolled students. Higher scores indicate a safer environment. Review detailed data on the U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security website.

Cost Breakdown

2024-25 academic year. Tuition: College Scorecard. Fees and room & board: IPEDS/NCES.

Tuition
$72,097
Fees
$1,057
Room & Board
$19,931
Total
$93,085
App Fee: $85
$32,740avg net price / year

What students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Calculate your personalized net price

Fields of Study

363 programs offered

Most Popular Programs

Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsMaster's
1,272 grads/yr$158,632
Management Sciences and Quantitative MethodsBachelor's
1,221 grads/yr
Computer ScienceMaster's
1,185 grads/yr$188,871
Social WorkMaster's
649 grads/yr$73,829
Business Administration, Management and OperationsMaster's
525 grads/yr$181,250

Bar width proportional to graduates per year. Earnings = median 4 years after graduation.

Law
Professional181 grads$203,028
Computer Science
Bachelor's305 grads$192,897
Computer Science
Master's1,185 grads$188,871
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
Other52 grads$187,852
Real Estate Development
Master's25 grads$185,174
Business Administration, Management and Operations
Master's525 grads$181,250
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering
Master's409 grads$180,468
Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration
Doctoral15 grads$179,146
Computer Software and Media Applications
Master's110 grads$179,055
Systems Engineering
Master's43 grads$178,619

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings reflect graduates working and not enrolled full-time. Data suppressed (shown as —) for programs with fewer than 30 graduates. Most recent available year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is University of Southern California located?

University of Southern California is located in Los Angeles, CA. The main campus address is University Park, Los Angeles, CA. It is a private institution offering 4-year degree programs.

What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern California?

University of Southern California has an acceptance rate of 10%, making it highly selective. Out of 82,027 applicants, 8,050 were admitted in the most recent year. 20,443 students enrolled.

What ACT score do you need for University of Southern California?

The middle 50% of enrolled students at University of Southern California scored between 32 and 35 on the ACT, with a median of 33. About 12% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores. Scoring in this range will put you within the typical range, though admissions decisions consider many factors.

How much does it cost to attend University of Southern California?

For the 2024-25 academic year, University of Southern California charges $72,097/year in tuition. Including room and board ($19,931/year), the total estimated cost is approximately $61,503/year. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $32,740/year — what students actually pay. Use University of Southern California's net price calculator for a personalized estimate.

What is the application fee for University of Southern California?

The undergraduate application fee at University of Southern California is $85. Check the admissions website for fee waiver eligibility.

Does University of Southern California have college sports?

Yes — University of Southern California competes at the NCAA D1 level in the Big Ten. As a Division I program, they compete at the highest level of college athletics, which often includes scholarships and nationally broadcast games.

Is University of Southern California the right fit for me?

Whether University of Southern California is right for you depends on your academic goals, budget, lifestyle preferences, and career aspirations. Key factors to consider: admissions selectivity (10% admit rate), avg net price ($32,740/year after aid), campus culture in Los Angeles, and available programs. Use CollegeCove's compare tool to weigh University of Southern California against similar schools side-by-side.

Tuition: College Scorecard (2024-25). Fees, room & board, and other data: IPEDS/NCES 2024. Always verify with University of Southern California directly for the most current information.

Ready to apply?

Start your application at the official website.

Apply NowVisit Official Website

Quick Facts

Type
Private
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Size
20,000+
Degrees Offered
Bachelor's, Master's, Doctoral
NCAA
NCAA D1
Conference
Big Ten
School Year Weather
Hot · 64°F avg
App Fee
$85
On Campus Safety Score
46/100
Nearest Airport
Hawthorne, CA (HHR) · 7 mialso LAX (9 mi), SMO (10 mi)

Location

Los Angeles, CA

Data Sources: Admissions, cost, and enrollment data sourced from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) (NCES, 2024 survey year). Fields of Study data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. On Campus Safety Score computed from Clery Act data (U.S. Dept. of Education, 3-year average normalized per 1,000 students). Data may not reflect most recent changes. Always verify with the institution directly.