University of Southern California

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

Los Angeles, CA

$59,260

Avg tuition

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About University of Southern California

School Type: Private

Status: Non-profit

Accreditation: Regional

Religious Affiliation: N/A While the student experience is largely unaffected at most schools with religious affiliations, some schools place more of an emphasis on religion. Learn how religious affiliations may impact students' experience.

Military Friendly: YesMilitary-friendly schools are Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges, offer the Yellow Ribbon Program, and have a dedicated point of contact to support veterans, military service members, and their families. Explore our college guide for service members and veterans to learn more.

The University of Southern California is a large private university located on an urban campus in Los Angeles, California. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 19,786, and admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 16%. The university offers 124 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 92%, and a student-faculty ratio of 9:1. Tuition and fees for students are $59,260.

Rankings

Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.

#1 Ranked in Best Occupational Therapy Programs of 2022
#1 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Public Relations Programs
#1 Ranked in Best Master's in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography Programs
#1 Ranked in What Can You Do With a Healthcare Administration Degree?
#1 Ranked in Master's in Communication Degree Programs
#1 Ranked in Best Public Relations and Image Management Programs
#1 Ranked in Master's in Communication Degree Programs
#1 Ranked in Best Industrial Engineering Programs
#2 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Secondary Education Programs
#2 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Counseling Programs of 2022
#2 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Education Programs of 2022
#2 Ranked in Best Master's in Public Relations and Image Management Programs
#2 Ranked in The Top Online Master's in Software Engineering Degrees
#3 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Biomedical Engineering Programs
#3 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Data Science Programs of 2022
#3 Ranked in Best Online Master's in Data Science Programs
#3 Ranked in Best Master's in Clinical, Counseling, and Applied Psychology Programs
#4 Ranked in Colleges With the Most International Students
#7 Ranked in Best Online Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) Programs of 2023
#8 Ranked in Best Online Doctorate in Organizational Leadership Programs

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a competitive acceptance rate.

This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.

16% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.

Retention Rate Insight

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.
Learn more about how we determine school awards

91% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.

Graduation Rate Insight

Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This is typically an indication of a school's quality and means most students finish their degree in a timely manner.
Learn more about how we determine school awards

92% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.

Application Considerations

Test scores Required

High school transcript Required

High school rank Not required or recommended

Letter of recommendation Required

High school GPA Required

Open admission No

Completion of college prep program Required

Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Required

Transfer Credit Policy

Dual enrollment Implied no

Credit for qualified life experience* Implied no

Advance placement (AP) credits Yes

*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.

SAT & ACT

Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.

While test scores can be an important aspect of college applications, schools determine admission based on several factors, and these test scores are only a suggested range.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

ACT 25th-75th Percentile 30-34

SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1340-1530

Resource

Undergraduate Application Guide

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of more than 15,000 students.

Learn more about how we determine school awards

46k

Students enrolled

89%

Online student enrollment

9:1

Student to faculty ratio

Ways Students Can Learn

Online

On-campus

Hybrid

The program is a combination of on-campus and online learning and varies per program.

International

Online classes are available for students around the world.

Demographics

White

30%

Non-U.S. Citizen

22%

Asian

19%

Hispanic

15%

Unknown

Black

Two or more races

American Indian/Alaska Native

Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander

Female student population

54%

Socio-economic diversity

17% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.

Explore Similar Schools

Stanford University

Stanford, CA · Private · Non-profit

#1 Ranked in Best Master's in Mass Communication and Media Studies Programs

Costs to Consider	Price
Books and supplies	$1,200
On-campus room and board	$16,398
On-campus other expenses	$2,278
Off-campus (not with family) room and board	$16,398
Off-campus (not with family) other expenses	$2,278
Off-campus (with family) other expenses	$3,628

Total cost by category	In-state	Out-of-state
On-campus	$79,136	$79,136
Off-campus without family	$79,136	$79,136
Off-campus with family	$64,088	$64,088

#	Programs	BA	MA	Doc
1	Architecture And Related Services
	Architecture
	City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
	Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
	Real Estate Development
	Architecture and Related Services, Other
	Architecture and Related Services, Other
	Real Estate Development
	Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
	City/Urban, Community and Regional Planning
	Architecture
	Architecture (BArch, BA/BS, MArch, MA/MS, PhD)
	City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning
	Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
	Real Estate Development
	Architecture and Related Services, Other
	Architecture (BArch, BA/BS, MArch, MA/MS, PhD)
	City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning
	Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology
	Real Estate Development
	Architecture and Related Services, Other
2	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies
	American/United States Studies/Civilization
	East Asian Studies
	Central/Middle and Eastern European Studies
	Near and Middle Eastern Studies
	Area Studies, Other
	African-American/Black Studies
	Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies
	Ethnic, Cultural Minority, and Gender Studies, Other
	Ethnic, Cultural Minority, and Gender Studies, Other
	African-American/Black Studies
	Area Studies, Other
	Near and Middle Eastern Studies
	Central/Middle and Eastern European Studies
	East Asian Studies
	American/United States Studies/Civilization
3	Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, And Group Studies
	American/United States Studies/Civilization
	East Asian Studies
	Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies
	Area Studies, Other
	African-American/Black Studies
	Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies
	Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other
	American/United States Studies/Civilization
	East Asian Studies
	Area Studies, Other
	African-American/Black Studies
	Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies
	Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other
4	Biological And Biomedical Sciences
	Biology/Biological Sciences, General
	Biomedical Sciences, General
	Biochemistry
	Biophysics
	Molecular Biology
	Biochemistry/Biophysics and Molecular Biology
	Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
	Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
	Microbiology and Immunology
	Molecular Genetics
	Pathology/Experimental Pathology
	Oncology and Cancer Biology
	Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other
	Molecular Pharmacology
	Biostatistics
	Bioinformatics
	Computational Biology
	Biomathematics and Bioinformatics, Other
	Biotechnology
	Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
	Epidemiology
	Molecular Medicine
	Neuroscience
	Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other
	Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
	Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other
	Neurobiology and Neurophysiology
	Neuroscience
	Molecular Medicine
	Epidemiology
	Evolutionary Biology
	Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
	Biotechnology
	Biomathematics and Bioinformatics, Other
	Computational Biology
	Bioinformatics
	Biostatistics
	Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other
	Molecular Pharmacology
	Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other
	Oncology and Cancer Biology
	Pathology/Experimental Pathology
	Molecular Genetics
	Microbiology and Immunology
	Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
	Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
	Biochemistry/Biophysics and Molecular Biology
	Molecular Biology
	Biochemistry
	Biomedical Sciences, General
	Biology/Biological Sciences, General
	Biology/Biological Sciences, General
	Biomedical Sciences, General
	Biochemistry
	Biophysics
	Molecular Biology
	Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
	Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
	Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
	Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
	Microbiology and Immunology
	Molecular Genetics
	Pathology/Experimental Pathology
	Oncology and Cancer Biology
	Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other
	Molecular Pharmacology
	Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other
	Biostatistics
	Bioinformatics
	Computational Biology
	Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other
	Biotechnology
	Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
	Evolutionary Biology
	Epidemiology
	Molecular Medicine
	Neuroscience
	Neurobiology and Anatomy
	Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other
	Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
	Biology/Biological Sciences, General
	Biomedical Sciences, General
	Biochemistry
	Biophysics
	Molecular Biology
	Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
	Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology, Other
	Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology
	Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other
	Microbiology and Immunology
	Pathology/Experimental Pathology
	Oncology and Cancer Biology
	Molecular Pharmacology
	Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other
	Biostatistics
	Bioinformatics
	Computational Biology
	Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other
	Biotechnology
	Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
	Evolutionary Biology
	Epidemiology
	Neuroscience
	Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other
	Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
5	Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services
	Business Administration and Management, General
	Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
	Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
	Accounting
	Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other
	Finance, General
	Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
	International Business/Trade/Commerce
	Management Science, General
	Business Statistics
	Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other
	Marketing/Marketing Management, General
	Real Estate
	Taxation
	Construction Management
	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
	Business Administration and Management, General
	Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
	Project Management
	Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
	Accounting
	Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other
	Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
	International Business/Trade/Commerce
	Management Science, General
	Business Statistics
	Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other
	Marketing/Marketing Management, General
	Real Estate
	Taxation
	Construction Management
	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
	Business Administration and Management, General
	Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
	Project Management
	Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other
	Accounting
	Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other
	Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General
	International Business/Trade/Commerce
	Management Science
	Business Statistics
	Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other
	Marketing/Marketing Management, General
	Real Estate
	Taxation
	Construction Management, General
	Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other
	Business Administration and Management, General
	Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management
6	Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs
	Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
	Communication and Media Studies, Other
	Journalism
	Broadcast Journalism
	Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
	Public Relations/Image Management
	International and Intercultural Communication
	International and Intercultural Communication
	Public Relations/Image Management
	Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
	Broadcast Journalism
	Journalism
	Communication and Media Studies, Other
	Communication Studies/Speech Communication and Rhetoric
	Speech Communication and Rhetoric
	Communication and Media Studies, Other
	Journalism
	Broadcast Journalism
	Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
	Public Relations/Image Management
	International and Intercultural Communication
	Speech Communication and Rhetoric
	Communication and Media Studies, Other
	Journalism
	Broadcast Journalism
	Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia
	Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication
	Public Relations/Image Management
	International and Intercultural Communication
7	Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services
	Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
	Informatics
	Computer Science
	Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
	Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation
	Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
	Computer and Information Systems Security
	Computer and Information Systems Security
	Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation
	Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
	Computer Science
	Informatics
	Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
	Artificial Intelligence
	Informatics
	Computer Science
	Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
	Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation
	Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
	Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
	Artificial Intelligence
	Informatics
	Computer Science
	Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration
	Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation
	Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications
	Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance
8	Education
	Educational Leadership and Administration, General
	Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
	Urban Education and Leadership
	Learning Sciences
	College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other
	Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
	Education, Other
	Education, Other
	Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other
	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods, Other
	College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
	Learning Sciences
	Urban Education and Leadership
	Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
	Educational Leadership and Administration, General
	Education, General
	Educational Leadership and Administration, General
	Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
	Urban Education and Leadership
	Learning Sciences
	Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
	College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other
	Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
	Education, Other
	Educational Leadership and Administration, General
	Higher Education/Higher Education Administration
	Urban Education and Leadership
	Learning Sciences
	Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services
	College Student Counseling and Personnel Services
	Music Teacher Education
	Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other
	Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor
	Education, Other
9	Engineering Technologies/Technicians
	Engineering-Related Fields, Other
	Engineering-Related Fields, Other
10	Engineering
	Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
	Architectural Engineering
	Biomedical/Medical Engineering
	Chemical Engineering
	Civil Engineering, General
	Structural Engineering
	Transportation and Highway Engineering
	Water Resources Engineering
	Civil Engineering, Other
	Computer Engineering, General
	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Other
	Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
	Materials Engineering
	Mechanical Engineering
	Petroleum Engineering
	Systems Engineering
	Industrial Engineering
	Manufacturing Engineering
	Operations Research
	Engineering, Other
	Engineering, Other
	Operations Research
	Manufacturing Engineering
	Industrial Engineering
	Systems Engineering
	Petroleum Engineering
	Mechanical Engineering
	Materials Engineering
	Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering, Other
	Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering
	Computer Engineering, General
	Civil Engineering, Other
	Water Resources Engineering
	Transportation and Highway Engineering
	Structural Engineering
	Civil Engineering, General
	Chemical Engineering
	Biomedical/Medical Engineering
	Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
	Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
	Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
	Chemical Engineering
	Civil Engineering, General
	Structural Engineering
	Transportation and Highway Engineering
	Water Resources Engineering
	Civil Engineering, Other
	Computer Engineering, General
	Electrical and Electronics Engineering
	Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other
	Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
	Materials Engineering
	Mechanical Engineering
	Petroleum Engineering
	Systems Engineering
	Industrial Engineering
	Manufacturing Engineering
	Operations Research
	Electrical and Computer Engineering
	Engineering, Other
	Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General
	Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering
	Chemical Engineering
	Civil Engineering, General
	Structural Engineering
	Transportation and Highway Engineering
	Water Resources Engineering
	Civil Engineering, Other
	Computer Engineering, General
	Electrical and Electronics Engineering
	Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering
	Materials Engineering
	Mechanical Engineering
	Petroleum Engineering
	Systems Engineering
	Industrial Engineering
	Manufacturing Engineering
	Operations Research
	Electrical and Computer Engineering
	Engineering, Other
11	Engineering/Engineering-Related Technologies/Technicians
	Engineering-Related Fields, Other
	Civil Engineering Technology/Technician
	Engineering-Related Fields, Other
12	English Language And Literature/Letters
	English Language and Literature, General
	Creative Writing

University of Southern California

School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More

About University of Southern California

Rankings

Admissions Breakdown

Acceptance Rate Insight This school has a competitive acceptance rate. This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.

This school has a competitive acceptance rate.

Retention Rate Insight Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools. This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there. Learn more about how we determine school awards

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

Graduation Rate Insight Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools. This is typically an indication of a school's quality and means most students finish their degree in a timely manner. Learn more about how we determine school awards

Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools.

Application Considerations

Transfer Credit Policy

SAT & ACT

Students who attend this school typically have higher standardized test scores than students at other schools.

Learning Environment

Student Body Stats

This school has a student body of more than 15,000 students.

Ways Students Can Learn

Demographics

Socio-economic diversity

Explore Similar Schools

Stanford University

Pepperdine University

Claremont McKenna College

University of California-Berkeley

University of Redlands

California Institute of Technology

Santa Clara University

University of San Francisco

Loyola Marymount University

Explore Similar Schools

Stanford University

Pepperdine University

Claremont McKenna College

University of California-Berkeley

University of Redlands

California Institute of Technology

Santa Clara University

University of San Francisco

Loyola Marymount University

University of the Pacific

Online Programs

Offers Online Programs

Online Programs

Total Online Enrollment

Student Location Breakout

Percent of Programs Online

Types of Online Programs Offered

Student Charges

Tuition and Required Fees

Cost of Undergraduate Attendance

Total Undergraduate Cost

Financial Breakdown

Students Receiving Aid

Average Aid Awarded

Financial Outlook

Varsity Athletic Teams

NCAA Division I-FBS

Participation

Degrees Awarded by Program

Acceptance Rate Insight

This school has a competitive acceptance rate.

This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.

Retention Rate Insight

Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.
Learn more about how we determine school awards

Graduation Rate Insight

Students graduate from this school at a higher rate than other schools.

This is typically an indication of a school's quality and means most students finish their degree in a timely manner.
Learn more about how we determine school awards