University of Southern California
Los Angeles' big private research university, home of the School of Cinematic Arts, now offering binding Early Decision.
- Acceptance rate
- 11%
- First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)
- Students
- 45,815
- 20,768 undergraduates
- Student–faculty
- 9:1
- ratio
- Tuition
- $77,336
- 2026-27
- Founded
- 1880
About USC
The University of Southern California was founded in 1880 and is based on its University Park campus, about 2 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, with a separate Health Sciences Campus. In fall 2025 it enrolled 45,815 students, 20,768 of them undergraduates, across 23 schools and academic divisions. These range from the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the Viterbi School of Engineering to professional schools in cinema, music, business and communication.
USC is known for pairing a large research university with unusually strong arts and media schools. The School of Cinematic Arts has trained filmmakers such as George Lucas, and the Thornton School of Music, Kaufman School of Dance and School of Dramatic Arts run their own application tracks. Research is substantial too: USC attracted $928.6 million in sponsored research in 2024-25, and its endowment was $8.8 billion in June 2025.
Admission is highly selective: 9,345 of 83,488 applicants were admitted for fall 2025, about 11%. USC is test-optional, need-blind for domestic students, and now offers binding Early Decision as well as Early Action (the fall 2025 Common Data Set listed no ED plan). It suits students who want a large, spirited campus with Big Ten sport, interdisciplinary freedom and direct access to the Los Angeles creative and business worlds.
Palmam qui meruit ferat
“Let whoever earns the palm bear it” — university motto
Why students choose USC
The School of Cinematic Arts, Thornton School of Music and other arts schools sit inside a major research university.
First-year students from U.S. families earning $80,000 or less with typical assets attend tuition-free, and admission is need-blind for domestic students.
Every admitted applicant, including international students, is considered for USC Merit Scholarships if they apply by the Early or performing-arts deadline.
The campus is in central Los Angeles, close to the film, music, tech and business industries its schools feed into.
Admissions
First-years who entered in fall 2025 (2025-26 Common Data Set)
About 1 in 9 applicants is admitted
9,345 admitted from 83,488 applicants
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Middle 50% of admitted students scored in this range.
Admit rates by residency for fall 2025: 11.4% for California residents (3,692 of 32,499), 9.8% for other U.S. states (3,378 of 34,374) and 13.7% for international applicants (2,275 of 16,615). The fall 2025 Common Data Set lists no Early Decision plan, so no ED statistics are published yet.
Deadlines
- Early Decision (most majors) Binding Next deadline · In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Binding; decisions (admit or deferral to Regular Decision) by mid-December. Not available for dance, drama or music majors.
- Early Action (most majors) Non-binding In 26 daysNovember 1, 2026
Non-binding and non-restrictive; decisions in late January. World Bachelor in Business applicants must apply by this November 1 ED/EA deadline (WBB no longer takes Regular Decision applications).
- Regular Decision (performing arts majors) Non-binding In 56 daysDecember 1, 2026
The only deadline for the Kaufman School of Dance, School of Dramatic Arts and Thornton School of Music; decisions by April 1.
- Regular Decision (most majors) Non-binding In ~3 monthsJanuary 10, 2027
Decisions by April 1.
Application deadlines are listed on USC's first-year page without years; the financial aid deadlines on the same page (November 1 and 15, 2026, and February 3, 2027) confirm the fall 2027 cycle. ED, EA and December 1 performing-arts applicants are considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
How to apply
Common App (fee waivers available); Common App essay plus USC short answers; official high school transcripts; teacher or counselor recommendation; optional official SAT or ACT scores; ED agreement for Early Decision; portfolios, auditions or supplements for some arts and specialist majors. International applicants add a financial statement and English test scores.
What admissions looks for
- Academic performance and the rigor of your program in the context of your school, with close attention to preparation for your intended major.
- Your essays and USC short answers, which should show how you think and write in your own words.
- Personal qualities shown through school and community involvement, leadership and other achievements.
- Intellectual curiosity and a willingness to go beyond the requirements and explore across disciplines.
Tips for applying to USC
- 1 Apply ED or EA by November 1 if you want merit scholarship consideration: USC lists merit consideration for ED, EA and December 1 performing-arts applicants, not for the January 10 Regular Decision round.
- 2 Only choose ED if USC is clearly your first choice: it is binding, and you must withdraw other applications if admitted.
- 3 Tailor your application to your major: arts schools and some programs need portfolios, auditions or extra materials by their own deadlines.
- 4 International applicants: there is no need-based aid, so you must document funding for the full cost of attendance for at least the first year.
What are your chances?
Sign up to see your personalized admission chances for University of Southern California
Sign up to see your chancesCosts & financial aid
2026-27 · figures in USD
USC is need-blind for domestic applicants, and first-year students from U.S. families earning $80,000 or less with typical assets attend tuition-free. Nearly two-thirds of undergraduates receive some form of aid. USC offers no need-based aid to international applicants, but all applicants who meet the deadlines, including international students, are considered for merit scholarships.
- $103,162 (plus a $450 new-student fee in the first semester)
- Estimated cost of attendance 2026-27, on campus
- Tuition-free (typical assets)
- U.S. families earning $80,000 or less
- Nearly two-thirds
- Undergraduates receiving some financial aid
- $904 million
- Total financial aid disbursed, 2024-25
Academics
Academic calendar: Semesters
Film and Television Production (School of Cinematic Arts)
The school where George Lucas studied, in the heart of the Los Angeles entertainment industry.
Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation (Iovine and Young Academy)
An interdisciplinary program with its own application requirements, blending design, technology and business.
World Bachelor in Business (Marshall)
A Marshall School of Business program that only accepts applications by the November 1 Early Decision / Early Action deadline.
Music (Thornton School of Music)
Conservatory-level training with a December 1 deadline and audition-based admission.
Aerospace Engineering (Viterbi)
Neil Armstrong earned his master's in aerospace engineering at USC.
Research
- USC attracted $928.6 million in sponsored research in 2024-25, in fields including biotech, public health, biomedical engineering, cancer and Alzheimer's disease.
- Keck Medicine of USC runs the university's medical enterprise on the Health Sciences Campus.
- USC's endowment was $8.8 billion as of June 30, 2025.
Schools & faculties
- Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
- Viterbi School of Engineering
- Marshall School of Business
- School of Cinematic Arts
- Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
- Thornton School of Music
- School of Dramatic Arts
- Kaufman School of Dance
- School of Architecture
- Iovine and Young Academy
- Leventhal School of Accounting
- Keck School of Medicine
College Scorecard: median earnings of $92,498 ten years after entry (and $74,461 six years after entry) for federally aided students.
Student life
USC's University Park campus is a busy, largely residential core in central Los Angeles: 97% of first-years live in university housing, and USC Village adjoining campus adds housing, dining and shops. The Trojans compete in the Big Ten Conference and have won more than 110 NCAA team championships. Traditions centre on the Trojan Shrine, known as Tommy Trojan, and on Traveler, the white horse that has been the official mascot since 1961. About 12% of undergraduate women join sororities and 3% of men join fraternities.
- Trojan athletics in the Big Ten Conference, with more than 110 NCAA team titles
- Tommy Trojan, the Trojan Shrine at the centre of campus
- Traveler, the white horse mascot at football games since 1961
- USC Village, a residential and retail centre next to campus
Housing. 97% of first-years and 36% of all undergraduates live in university housing (CDS 2025-26).
Location
The University Park campus sits in the University Park neighbourhood about 2 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles, and USC's Health Sciences Campus is elsewhere in the city. Students have Los Angeles on their doorstep, from film studios and music venues to beaches and pro sports, but face big-city costs and a car-oriented region.
Nearest airport: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Notable alumni
- GL George LucasFilmmaker, creator of Star Wars; graduated from USC in 1967
- NA Neil ArmstrongFirst person to walk on the Moon; MS in aerospace engineering from USC
- FG Frank GehryArchitect; graduated from USC's School of Architecture in 1954
- WF Will FerrellActor and comedian; studied sports broadcasting at USC
- AF Allyson FelixOlympic sprinter; degree in elementary education, 2008
- RH Ron HowardDirector and actor; attended the School of Cinematic Arts
- JW John WayneActor; attended USC on a football scholarship
Frequently asked questions
What is USC's acceptance rate?
USC admitted 9,345 of 83,488 first-year applicants for fall 2025, about 11%.
Does USC have Early Decision?
Yes. For fall 2027, USC offers binding Early Decision and non-binding Early Action, both due November 1, 2026, for most majors. Performing arts majors apply only by December 1, 2026.
Is USC test-optional for fall 2027?
Yes. You decide whether to submit SAT or ACT scores, and you aren't penalized if you don't. Enrolled first-years who submitted scores had a middle 50% SAT of 1470-1540.
Does USC give financial aid to international students?
USC offers no need-based aid to international students, and you must document funding for the full cost of attendance. International applicants are considered for merit scholarships if they meet the deadlines.
How much does USC cost per year?
For 2026-27, tuition is $75,384 plus $1,952 in fees, and the estimated on-campus cost of attendance is $103,162. U.S. families earning $80,000 or less with typical assets pay no tuition.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
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