College Profiles/ University of Southern California
College Profile · Fall 2027 Entry
University of Southern California Admissions: Acceptance Rate, Cost, Financial Aid and Deadlines
Los Angeles, CA · 20,768 undergraduates. Everything families need to apply to University of Southern California for fall 2027, verified against the school’s own Common Data Set, cost of attendance and admissions pages, with ConnectPrep’s strategic read.
By Jeremy Fine, Founder of ConnectPrep
Updated October 11, 2026 · Data verified against official sources
✓ Every figure cited
Quick answer
University of Southern California admitted 11.2% of 83,488 first-year applicants in the 2025-2026 Common Data Set.[1] The middle 50% SAT range for enrolled first-years is 1470 to 1540.[1] The 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $103,162.[2] First-year students who received need-based aid got an average grant of $56,128.[1] For fall 2027 entry, deadlines are Early Decision I Nov 1, Early Action Nov 1, Regular Decision Jan 10.[3]
11.2%
Overall admit rate[1]
1470 to 1540
Middle 50% SAT[1]
$103,162
Cost of attendance, 2026-2027[2]
$56,128
Average need-based grant[1]
$8.8B
Endowment, FY2025[4]
90.3%
Six-year graduation rate[1]
University of Southern California at a Glance
- Location
- Los Angeles, CA
- Type
- Private nonprofit
- Student to faculty ratio
- 9:1[1]
- Endowment
- $8.8 billion (FY2025)[4]
- SAT/ACT, fall 2027
- Optional[3]
- Application
- Common App[3]
- First-year retention
- 95.2%[1]
The ConnectPrep Take on University of Southern California
The ConnectPrep take
USC looks past grades to rigor in context, a willingness to go beyond requirements, potential to make an impact, and readiness to be a partner in learning and research. It does not interview or track demonstrated interest, so the application is the whole conversation. Applicants apply to a specific major. USC now offers binding ED alongside nonbinding EA, both on Nov 1, and because ED is new since the latest Common Data Set, there is no early rate to compare with the overall 11.2%. Testing is optional, but USC accepts only official score reports. With a middle 50% SAT of 1470 to 1540, send scores of 1505 or above. The costliest mistake is waiting for the Jan 10 Regular Decision deadline: merit scholarship consideration requires applying by Nov 1, or Dec 1 for performing arts.
What to do this fall
- Apply ED or EA by Nov 1 to be considered for USC merit scholarships.
- Order official SAT or ACT reports if the score is 1505 or higher; USC does not accept self-reported scores.
- World Bachelor in Business applicants must apply by Nov 1, since the program has no Regular Decision.
- National Merit Finalists should list USC as first choice with NMSC; admitted Finalists receive $20,000 per year.
Applying to University of Southern California? Get a free strategy session. We map your student’s round, testing plan, essays and every scholarship deadline for this school.
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University of Southern California Admissions Statistics
| Applicant pool |
Applied |
Admitted |
Admit rate |
| All first-year applicants[1] |
83,488 |
9,345 |
11.2% |
- Yield, the share of admitted students who enrolled, was 40.2%.[1]
Testing and academic profile
| Academic profile of enrolled first-years |
Middle 50% or share |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing[1] |
720 to 760 |
| SAT Math[1] |
740 to 790 |
| SAT composite[1] |
1470 to 1540 |
| ACT composite[1] |
32 to 35 |
| Enrolled students who submitted the SAT[1] |
33% |
| Enrolled students who submitted the ACT[1] |
12% |
| Average high school GPA[1] |
3.85 |
| Ranked in top 10% of high school class[1] |
69% |
ConnectPrep score target
Aim for 1540 on the SAT, the 75th percentile here, or 35 on the ACT. When testing is optional, we generally advise submitting scores at or above about 1500, the middle of the range. A higher score is always better, and the test can be retaken. Not there yet? Take a free practice test and we will build the plan to close the gap.
What University of Southern California looks for
In its own words: USC describes a comprehensive, holistic review of academic and personal characteristics. It judges academic performance in the context of an applicant's school and the rigor of the program, and looks for willingness to go beyond requirements, potential to make an impact, and students who will be partners in learning and research. USC does not conduct admission interviews or track demonstrated interest.[5][3]
University of Southern California Application Deadlines 2026-2027
| Round |
Deadline |
Decision |
| Early Decision I |
Nov 1 |
mid-Dec |
| Early Action |
Nov 1 |
late Jan |
| Regular Decision |
Jan 10 |
by Apr 1 |
Insider deadlines families miss
These scholarship, honors, program, interview and aid deadlines come from University of Southern California’s own pages. Anything tagged Before RD is due before the Regular Decision deadline.
| Program or rule |
Deadline |
What to know |
USC Merit Scholarships
Before RD |
Nov 1 (ED/EA); Dec 1 for performing arts applicants |
ED and EA applicants by Nov 1 are considered for USC merit scholarships; performing arts applicants (Kaufman, Dramatic Arts, Thornton) are considered if they apply by Dec 1. The page does not list Jan 10 RD applicants as merit considered.[3] |
Thornton School of Music application and prescreen
Before RD |
Dec 1 |
Thornton, Kaufman School of Dance and School of Dramatic Arts have a single Dec 1 deadline (no ED or EA). Thornton prescreen recordings and materials must be uploaded via SlideRoom by Dec 1; it is a receive deadline and incomplete applications may be removed.[6] |
World Bachelor in Business
Before RD |
Nov 1 |
WBB applications are due by the Nov 1 ED/EA deadline; the program no longer participates in Regular Decision.[3] |
| National Merit Scholarship |
See note |
Admitted National Merit Finalists who list USC as first choice with NMSC receive $20,000 per year.[7] |
| FAFSA and CSS Profile |
Nov 1 (ED); Nov 15 (EA); Feb 3 (RD) |
Need-based aid deadlines for the 2026-27 cycle; ED aid documents are due the same day as the application. Cal Grant Mar 2, 2027.[3] |
See how University of Southern California compares with other colleges in the West deadlines database or the full 2026-2027 college application deadlines hub.
University of Southern California Cost and Financial Aid
| Cost and aid |
Figure |
| Cost of attendance (2026-2027)[2] |
$103,162 |
| Tuition[2] |
$75,384 |
| First-years awarded need-based aid[1] |
37.8% |
| Average need-based scholarship or grant[1] |
$56,128 |
| Average share of need met[1] |
99.4% |
| Merit (non-need) awards to first-years[1] |
637 students, average $21,399 |
on campus, two semesters: tuition $75,384, fees $1,952, housing $13,510, food $8,442, books $670, transportation $1,188, personal $2,016; plus a one-time $450 new student fee.[2]
- For a family that qualifies for need-based aid, the average grant would bring the $103,162 cost of attendance down to roughly $47,034 before loans and work-study. This is a ConnectPrep calculation for illustration; your student’s number depends on your family’s finances, so run the school’s net price calculator.
- 'Students from U.S. families with an annual income of $80,000 or less with typical assets will attend USC tuition free'.[8]
- International students: The Common Data Set shows 931 degree-seeking nonresidents awarded institutional aid averaging $27,577.[1]
What families actually pay: net price by income
Net price is the full cost of attendance minus the average grants and scholarships for first-year students receiving aid, by family income. It comes from federal data, which runs a year or two behind the school’s current cost figures.[9]
| Family income |
Average net price per year |
| $0 to $30,000 |
$13,516 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 |
$14,394 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 |
$19,539 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 |
$24,976 |
| Over $110,000 |
$56,116 |
| All aided students |
$32,740 |
Academics and Majors at University of Southern California
Most popular fields by share of bachelor’s degrees awarded[1]
- Business/marketing21%
- Social sciences11%
- Visual and performing arts11%
- Communication/journalism8%
- Computer and information sciences8%
Signature programs
School of Cinematic Arts
Portfolio-based film and media school; visual and performing arts make up nearly 11% of USC bachelor's degrees.[3]
Iovine and Young Academy
Interdisciplinary arts, technology and business program with its own supplemental requirements.[3]
Marshall World Bachelor in Business
Multi-continent business degree that only accepts applications by the Nov. 1 early deadline.[3]
Thornton School of Music, Kaufman School of Dance, School of Dramatic Arts
Audition-based performing arts schools with a Dec. 1 deadline that also qualifies for merit scholarship review.[3]
Choosing a major and getting in
Applicants apply to a specific major; some majors require portfolios, writing samples, resumes or auditions (Iovine and Young, Architecture, Roski, Cinematic Arts, Kaufman, Dramatic Arts, Thornton, Marshall WBB). Performing arts majors do not participate in Early Action and have a Dec. 1 deadline.[3]
Special admission paths
- Early Decision (binding, Nov. 1; not available for performing arts majors; new since the fall 2025 Common Data Set, which shows no ED).[3]
- Early Action (nonbinding, nonrestrictive, Nov. 1; not available for performing arts majors).[3]
- Dec. 1 single deadline for Kaufman, Dramatic Arts and Thornton, with USC Merit Scholarship consideration.[3]
- World Bachelor in Business (Nov. 1 ED/EA deadline only; no Regular Decision).[3]
University of Southern California Retention and Graduation Rates
| Outcome |
Figure |
| First-year students who returned for sophomore year[1] |
95.2% |
| Graduated within four years[1] |
70.6% |
| Graduated within six years[1] |
90.3% |
| Median earnings 10 years after starting college[9] |
$92,498 |
| Median federal loan debt of graduates[9] |
$18,000 |
| Undergraduates receiving Pell Grants[9] |
22% |
Make University of Southern California a realistic goal
ConnectPrep builds the full plan: the right round, a score target and test schedule, essays that sound like your student, and every scholarship and program deadline on one calendar. Start with a free consultation or a free practice test.
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University of Southern California FAQs
What is the University of Southern California acceptance rate?
University of Southern California admitted 11.2% of first-year applicants (9,345 of 83,488), according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
When are the University of Southern California application deadlines for 2026-27?
For students entering in fall 2027: Early Decision I Nov 1; Early Action Nov 1; Regular Decision Jan 10. 3 scholarship, honors or program deadlines come before Regular Decision; see the insider deadlines table on this page.
How much does University of Southern California cost?
The 2026-2027 cost of attendance is $103,162. First-year students who received need-based aid got an average grant of $56,128.
What SAT score do you need for University of Southern California?
The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1470 to 1540 on the SAT and 32 to 35 on the ACT. ConnectPrep advises aiming for 1540, the 75th percentile. Testing policy for fall 2027 entry: Optional.
Does USC have early decision?
Yes. USC now offers binding Early Decision and nonbinding, nonrestrictive Early Action, both due Nov 1, with Regular Decision on Jan 10. ED is new since the fall 2025 Common Data Set, so no early admit rate is available yet. Performing arts majors in Kaufman, Dramatic Arts, and Thornton do not use ED or EA and apply by Dec 1.
Do you have to apply early for USC merit scholarships?
Effectively, yes. ED and EA applicants who apply by Nov 1 are considered for USC merit scholarships, and performing arts applicants are considered if they apply by Dec 1. USC's page does not list Jan 10 Regular Decision applicants as merit considered. Separately, U.S. families earning $80,000 or less with typical assets attend USC tuition free.
About the author
Jeremy Fine
Jeremy Fine founded ConnectPrep in 2013 and brings more than 20 years of experience in education, spanning test preparation, college advising and academic program management. He holds a BA from Washington University in St. Louis and an MPA from the University of Pittsburgh.
ConnectPrep is based in Westport, Connecticut, and works with students from kindergarten through graduate school, in person and online. Meet the team.
This profile is an independent ConnectPrep resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by University of Southern California. Figures come from the sources listed above as published when checked in October 2026; the Common Data Set year is noted where used. Policies and costs change, so confirm with the school before applying.
