University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90007
The University of Southern California is a private university in CA, founded in 1880 and offers Bachelor’s degrees for undergraduates and Master’s and Doctoral degrees for graduate students. The undergraduate enrollment is 19,606, and the graduate enrollment is 26,501. The University of Southern California is a hyper-selective school, receiving 59,712 applications and accepting 16.1% of applicants. University of Southern California’s athletics teams competes at the intramural and varsity level. Additionally, the University of Southern California employs 2,113 full-time instructional staff (92% of whom hold doctorate degrees) and has an 8:1 student to faculty ratio.
Empowerly Score®
90
University Score
- School Performance
- Extracurriculars
- Standardized Tests
- Essays
Empowerly Score®
At Empowerly, we prioritize data to customize our approach to student counseling. College admissions is becoming more selective by the year, so it’s never been more important than now to prepare in advance and give yourself the best chance for success.
Take the Empowerly QuizESSAYS
Applicants applying to the University of Southern California will apply through the Common Application. Applicants will be required to write one personal statement based on a set of prompts within the application and will also be required to answer specific questions pertaining to the university.
Deadlines For Submitting Applications
Regular Application Deadline
January 15th
ATTENDANCE FACTORS
- Extracurricular Activities - Important
- Character/Personal Qualities - Important
- Application Essay - Very Important
- Academic GPA - Very Important
- Rigor of Secondary School Record - Very Important
Average Acceptance Rate
16.10%
Empowerly Acceptance Rate
29.00%
STUDENT LIFE
The University of Southern California’s 266-acre University Park Campus has been featured in films like “Forrest Gump” and “Legally Blonde.” USC makes the ideal academic environment for movies and real-life as well. Its 9:1 student-faculty ratio means 63.3% of classes have fewer than 20 students. However, first-year students will quickly discover that student life at USC isn’t confined to the classroom. The campus is top-rated for overall diversity too. Students can join over 1,000 organizations, which keeps the campus buzzing with activities and events, covering everything from culture to media to school spirit. Ask one of the state’s oldest schools. The University of Southern California has plenty of traditions, including its always visible Trojan Marching Band, which performed at the Rose Parade and the Academy Awards.
Housing
- 30% of students live on campus
- Guaranteed housing for freshmen
While living on campus isn’t mandatory for first-year students at the University of Southern California, campus housing has many benefits, such as being closer to classes, events, libraries, and other facilities and being a part of the close-knit residential community. That was USC’s goal when they designed first-year housing to be a place to live and study and be a true family. The University of Southern California’s residence halls offers first-year students a complete collegiate housing experience, including workout facilities, study rooms, and recreational lounges. Students can eat together in residential dining halls, participate in diverse activities and programs to connect with other residents and come home to a community that genuinely makes campus life rewarding.
Life as a Student
The University of Southern California’s dynamic campus is within walking distance of famous LA landmarks like the Shrine Auditorium and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Additionally, there is much to see and do on campus, whether academic, athletic, or extracurricular. Life as a USC student is about being engaged in the classroom and involved outside of it. USC’s Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences grants undergraduate degrees in more than 130 majors and minors and is one of the oldest USC schools. Furthermore, as a tried and true LA institution, the University of Southern California is proudly involved with the community. About half of USC students volunteer in community-service programs, confident that the school’s uniqueness is thanks to the extraordinary cultural institutions of its surrounding neighborhoods.
TOP MAJORS
Business
Biology
Communications
Computer Science
International Relations
Economics
SERVICES
Health and Safety
- 24-hour trained security on campus
- Student security patrol
- Late night ride/safe escort service available
Student Services
- Health Center
- Legal Advice
- Psychological Counseling
- Women's Center
Athletics
Varsity
Varsity
Archery
Badminton
Baseball
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew
Football
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Rock Climbing
Rugby
Skiing (Downhill)
Soccer
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Cross-Country Running
Archery
Badminton
Basketball
Cheerleading
Crew
Equestrian Sports
Fencing
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Racquetball
Rock Climbing
Rugby
Sailing
Skiing (Downhill)
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming and Diving
Tennis
Track and Field
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Water Polo
Cross-Country Running
Intramural
Intramural
Badminton
Basketball
Football
Golf
Racquetball
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Cross-Country Running
Badminton
Basketball
Football
Golf
Racquetball
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Ultimate Frisbee
Volleyball
Cross-Country Running
FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
USC is need-blind in its admission process, and a student’s ability to pay or interest in financial aid has no effect on admissions decisions. Additionally, USC works with families to meet the full demonstrated financial need for students who meet all deadlines and eligibility requirements
*All costs below are estimates and may differ based on your circumstances.
- Tuition - $63,468
- Fees - $1,258
- Housing - $10,506
- Dining/Meals - $6,930
- Books and Supplies - $1,200
- Personal and Misc. - $1,702
- Transportation - $584
- Total Estimated Cost of Attendance - $85,648
HISTORY
The University of Southern California (or USC) was founded in 1880 by Judge Robert M. Widney, who rallied prominent citizens from early Los Angeles history to establish a university in the region. Together, they amassed the land and funds to build the campus. As a college of liberal arts, the school was initially affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church. The school opened with 53 students and a faculty of ten in a small city lacking electricity, telephones, and even paved roads. USC commemorated its first graduating class in 1884, which included a female valedictorian. That same year, the University of Southern California established a school of music, which is still renowned today as USC Thornton School of Music, one of the nation’s top 10 university music programs.
The following year, the University of Southern California established Southern California’s first medical school. However, 1886-1910 would see the university’s most significant expansions with the addition of its Law School, School of Pharmacy, and the beginnings of its school of dentistry. In 1912, USC appeared to lose heavily to Stanford University at a track and field meet, only to fight back and lose by a narrow margin. Subsequently, a Los Angeles Times sportswriter described that the USC athletes “fought on like the Trojans of antiquity.” USC students and athletes are hence known officially as Trojans. Another first came about in 1924 when the University of Southern California opened the country’s first school of international relations.
Today, the University of Southern California is ranked #27 in National University by U.S. News Best Colleges. The school has a total undergraduate enrollment of 21,000 and graduate enrollment of 28,500. With its 11.4% acceptance rate, USC is highly competitive. Thanks to its various well-regarded programs, the school offers stellar academic, athletic, and extracurricular opportunities. Nearly half of USC undergraduates fulfill the general education program at USC College. USC’s athletic team, the USC Trojans, compete in the NCAA Division I and have won 107 team championships. The university counts ten Nobel laureates, six MacArthur Fellows, and 11 Rhodes scholars as affiliates throughout its history. The University of Southern California’s most famous alumni include astronaut Neil Armstrong, director George Lucas, and actor John Wayne, who played on the USC football team.