University of Southern California

About University of Southern California

The University of Southern California stands as a preeminent private research university whose influence extends from its Los Angeles home to the farthest reaches of the global Trojan Family network. Founded in 1880, USC has grown from a small regional institution into a comprehensive university of international stature, distinguished by excellence across an extraordinary range of fields from engineering and business to the arts, communication, and health sciences. The university's main campus in the heart of Los Angeles comprises approximately 226 acres of striking architecture and landscaped grounds that create genuine campus community within one of the world's most dynamic cities. Approximately 21,000 undergraduate students join graduate and professional students in pursuing education that combines rigorous academics with the incomparable opportunities of the Los Angeles environment. USC's highly selective 11% acceptance rate reflects its position among the most competitive private universities nationally, attracting applications from the most accomplished students worldwide. The university's distinctive culture celebrates achievement, ambition, and loyalty to the Trojan community, creating networks and traditions that graduates carry throughout their lives. USC's commitment to research that addresses society's most pressing challenges, from sustainable energy to urban health to media innovation, demonstrates how the modern research university can contribute to human flourishing while preparing students for successful careers and meaningful lives.

Admission to USC has become increasingly competitive, with the university now accepting approximately 11% of applicants for places in entering classes of roughly 3,400 students. This selectivity places USC among the most competitive private universities nationally, attracting applications from the most accomplished students worldwide who seek the distinctive combination of academic excellence, professional preparation, and Los Angeles location that USC offers. The admissions process employs holistic review that considers academic achievement, standardized test scores (where submitted), activities, essays, recommendations, and demonstrated interest in what USC uniquely provides. Successful applicants typically present exceptional academic credentials, including strong performance in the most rigorous coursework their high schools offer and high standardized test scores for those who submit them. Beyond academics, the admissions committee seeks evidence of leadership, initiative, resilience, and genuine passion for areas of interest that suggest students will contribute actively to the campus community. USC values diversity across all dimensions, seeking to compose entering classes that bring together students with varied backgrounds, perspectives, and aspirations. The university offers Early Action and Regular Decision application options, with both yielding opportunities for merit scholarships based on extraordinary achievement. Demonstrated interest matters at USC, and students can show their enthusiasm through campus visits, information sessions, and thoughtful engagement with admissions materials. The university actively recruits nationally and internationally, seeking to attract talented students who might not otherwise consider Los Angeles.

USC's academic enterprise encompasses 23 schools and units whose programs span virtually every domain of contemporary intellectual inquiry and professional preparation. The Viterbi School of Engineering ranks among the nation's most distinguished engineering programs, with particular strength in computer science, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, and astronautical engineering. The Marshall School of Business prepares students for leadership in the global economy through rigorous training in finance, marketing, entrepreneurship, and management. The Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism stands at the forefront of its fields, training the next generation of journalists, digital media producers, and communication scholars who shape public discourse. The School of Cinematic Arts, the oldest and most distinguished film school in the nation, has produced generations of Academy Award-winning filmmakers who have defined American cinema. The Thornton School of Music offers conservatory-quality training within the context of a major research university, preparing performing artists, composers, and industry professionals. The Keck School of Medicine addresses healthcare challenges through research, clinical care, and education that prepare physicians and scientists for leadership. The Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences provides the broad intellectual foundations of liberal arts education across humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Undergraduate students benefit from opportunities to engage across these distinguished schools, developing interdisciplinary perspectives that address complex challenges.

Key Highlights

• Private non-profit institution with strong academic tradition
• Located in a major metropolitan area with excellent opportunities
• Research-intensive with extensive graduate programs
• Diverse academic programs across multiple disciplines

Student Life & Environment

Student life at USC unfolds within a campus community that successfully creates intimate connections among a large and diverse student body while providing access to the unparalleled resources of Los Angeles. The campus's distinctive architecture, centered on iconic buildings like Tommy Trojan and the Doheny Memorial Library, creates spaces that foster school spirit and community identity. Greek life attracts a significant portion of students, with fraternities and sororities providing social networks, leadership opportunities, and philanthropic engagement that complement academic pursuits. Division I athletics generate extraordinary enthusiasm, with football Saturdays at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum representing quintessential expressions of Trojan pride. USC competes in the Pac-12 Conference across most sports, with nationally competitive programs in football, basketball, baseball, volleyball, and many Olympic sports. Beyond varsity athletics, students engage with more than 1,000 registered student organizations addressing academic interests, cultural identities, professional development, community service, and recreational pursuits. The university's location provides incomparable access to entertainment, cultural attractions, professional opportunities, and diverse communities throughout the Los Angeles region. Campus dining offers extensive options including dining halls, food courts, and specialty restaurants that address varied dietary preferences. Residential communities range from traditional dormitories to apartment-style living, with the Village at USC providing a residential retail district adjacent to campus. Students discover that the combination of campus community and urban access creates an experience unlike any other.

Location & Surroundings

Los Angeles provides an extraordinary setting for USC's educational mission, offering access to industries, cultures, and opportunities found nowhere else in comparable concentration. The university's position in the heart of LA places students at the center of global entertainment, technology, healthcare, and creative industries that increasingly shape contemporary culture and economy. Hollywood studios, major media companies, technology startups, and established corporations provide internship and career opportunities that translate classroom learning into professional experience. The diversity of Los Angeles, with significant populations from virtually every world region, creates a living laboratory for understanding cultural difference and global interconnection. The city's museums, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Getty Center, and the Natural History Museum, extend educational resources beyond campus. The Pacific Ocean lies just miles from campus, offering beaches, sailing, and coastal recreation that contribute to quality of life. The mild Mediterranean climate enables year-round outdoor activity, from hiking in the nearby mountains to exploring diverse neighborhoods throughout the sprawling metropolitan area. USC's neighborhood context, in an area undergoing significant revitalization, exposes students to questions of urban development, community engagement, and social responsibility that inform their education and development. The campus's accessibility via public transit, including the nearby Expo Line, connects students to destinations throughout the region. This urban setting accelerates professional development and prepares graduates for life in major cities worldwide.

Costs & Career Outcomes

USC requires a significant financial investment, with total costs of attendance exceeding $85,000 annually when tuition, fees, housing, meals, and personal expenses are considered. This investment places USC among the most expensive private universities nationally, reflecting the comprehensive resources and opportunities the institution provides. The university has substantially increased financial aid in recent years, meeting a high percentage of demonstrated need for admitted students while offering merit scholarships that recognize exceptional achievement regardless of financial circumstances. USC is increasingly accessible to students from all economic backgrounds through expanded grant aid and the USC Matching Scholarship, which supplements financial contributions from community organizations. Career outcomes for USC graduates are exceptionally strong, reflecting both educational quality and the powerful Trojan network that spans industries worldwide. The Career Center provides comprehensive services including counseling, recruiting events, internship connections, and alumni networking that facilitate successful transitions from campus to careers. The entertainment industry, technology sector, healthcare systems, and business community throughout Los Angeles and beyond actively recruit USC graduates, while the alumni network provides lifelong connections that create opportunities throughout careers. Graduate and professional school acceptance rates are excellent, with medical schools, law schools, MBA programs, and doctoral programs regularly welcoming Trojans. The combination of academic preparation, professional experience, and network connections makes USC graduates highly competitive in the job market and well-prepared for long-term career success.