USC Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics

Get Into the University of Southern California. USC is ranked 28th in the most recent U.S. News and World Report’s list of National Universities. Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California is the oldest private research university in the western United States and enrolls approximately 20,630 undergraduates on its 226-acre University Park campus in Los Angeles, California. In the 2024–25 admissions cycle, USC received approximately 83,500 applications and admitted about 9,345 students for an overall acceptance rate of roughly 11 percent. USC’s campus sits just south of downtown Los Angeles, placing students at the center of one of the world’s most dynamic cities. First-year students are required to live in university housing, and USC’s residential experience includes themed residential colleges and living-learning communities. Nearly 70 percent of undergraduates live on campus. Varsity athletes at USC compete in the Big Ten Conference across 21 varsity sports as a member of NCAA Division I. The Trojans have won more combined NCAA team championships than nearly any other university. Beyond athletics, students can choose from more than 1,000 student organizations, including Greek life, performing arts groups, cultural organizations, and service clubs. Undergraduate students at USC can pursue more than 150 majors and minors across numerous schools, including: USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, Viterbi School of Engineering, Marshall School of Business, School of Cinematic Arts, Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, Glorya Kaufman School of Dance, School of Dramatic Arts, Thornton School of Music, Roski School of Art & Design. USC’s Marshall School of Business, Viterbi School of Engineering, and School of Cinematic Arts are among the most competitive undergraduate programs nationally. The School of Cinematic Arts has produced more Academy Award and Emmy Award winners than any other institution. Whether part of a special program or not, all students at USC enjoy an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and the average freshman retention rate is approximately 96 percent. Applying to the University of Southern California. Starting with Fall 2027 applicants (the Class of 2031), USC will offer three admissions pathways: Early Decision (binding), Early Action (non-binding), and Regular Decision. USC’s Provost announced in February 2026 that the university would expand Early Decision to nearly all undergraduate programs, following a successful pilot through the Marshall School of Business for the Class of 2030. The Early Decision deadline is November 1st, with notification by mid-December. Students admitted ED must enroll at USC and withdraw all other applications. Performing arts programs (Kaufman School of Dance, Thornton School of Music, and the School of Dramatic Arts) are not eligible for Early Decision. All ED applicants remain eligible for need-based financial aid and USC merit scholarships. The Early Action round, also due November 1st, is non-binding and doubles as the deadline for merit scholarship consideration, which draws a particularly strong and self-selecting applicant pool. For the Class of 2029, the EA acceptance rate was approximately 8.3 percent (roughly 3,500 admitted from approximately 42,000 EA applicants). Applications for Regular Decision are due December 1st for portfolio and audition programs or January 15th for most other programs, with notification by April 1st. To apply to USC, students use the Common Application. USC has adopted a test-optional policy for first-year applicants through the 2026–27 academic year. Among enrolled students in the Class of 2029 who submitted scores, the middle 50 percent SAT range was 1450–1550 and the middle 50 percent ACT composite range was 32–35. USC superscores standardized tests. The average high school GPA of enrolled students was 3.80, and 73 percent ranked in the top tenth of their graduating class. USC considers the rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, application essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent and ability, and character as “very important” or “important” factors in its holistic admissions review. The application fee is $85 and can be waived for students with financial need. USC Admissions Wrap Up - Class of 2029. USC admitted approximately 9,345 students from roughly 83,500 applicants to the Class of 2029, for an overall acceptance rate of about 11.2 percent—up slightly from the record-low 9.2 percent for the Class of 2028. About 3,759 students enrolled. Of the admitted students, first-generation students comprised 20 percent, and students from all 50 states were represented, with California residents making up 39 percent of fall admissions. The EA acceptance rate was approximately 8.3 percent from roughly 42,000 early applicants.

Class	Applied	Admitted	Acceptance rate
2030	79,290	9,521	12.01%
2029	83,488	9,345	11.19%
2028	82,027	8,050	9.81%
2027	80,808	8,094	10.02%
2026	69,062	8,304	12.02%

Class	Applied	Admitted	Acceptance rate
2025	71,031	8,884	12.51%
2024	59,712	9,618	16.11%
2023	66,200	7,547	11.4%
2022	64,352	8,339	12.96%
2021	56,676	9,042	15.95%
2020	54,289	9,022	16.62%

USC Acceptance Rate & Admissions Statistics

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