University of Southern California is one of the renowned universities in the USA. It is very competitive to gain admission. The acceptance rate of University of Southern California (USC) is 12.51%, meaning that approximately 13 out of every 100 applicants are admitted.
With one of the lowest acceptance rates in the US, you need to be strong in all areas to be selected. However, since the acceptance rate is not below 10%, you still have a chance even if your GPA is not excellent. You can compensate for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, ACT, and taking IB or AP courses. Meeting their general GPA and test (SAT/ACT) requirements is crucial, as without these, you will not move to the second round of the admission process. These requirements act as automatic filters, so meeting them is very important. If you don't meet these requirements, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.
A well-written letter of recommendation, participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and strong interpersonal communication skills can enhance your chances of admission.
University of Southern California Admission Requirements
USC GPA Requirement
The average GPA of the admitted students at USC is 3.7. This indicates that USC is very selective in terms of GPA. (Most schools report a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some may use unweighted GPA. For exact information, contact the school admission staff.)
With an average GPA of 3.7, USC requires you to be near the top of your class. You need to score mostly A's in all classes to have a good chance of admission. A few B's won't hurt much, but more B's may put you in a lower category. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability, especially in areas related to your chosen course of study. For example, if you're planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus, and physics will help.
If your GPA is less than 3.7 and higher than 3.4, you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need a minimum of 3.3 GPA to secure admission at USC. Below this, your chances of admission will be very slim.
Can I Get Into USC Without SAT Or ACT?
University of Southern California considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, test scores are considered in admission decisions. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit your best scores. Normally, students may take the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Plan early and appear in upcoming SAT/ACT tests. Check the test schedule and plan accordingly. It is advisable to take the test multiple times unless you score well above the average SAT/ACT scores of admitted students, as shown below.
University of Southern California (USC) SAT Requirements
Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.
University of Southern California Average SAT Score: 1484
The average SAT score of the admitted students at University of Southern California is a 1484 on the 1600 SAT scale.
This score makes it very Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do very well to score 1484 on SAT.
If your score is lower than 1410, you may appear again to improve your score to have better chances of admission at
USC. It is not unusual to take the SAT multiple times to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have taken the test multiple times, but not more than 5 times.
SAT 25th Percentile: 1410
SAT 75th Percentile: 1540
It means that if you have scored less than 1410, then you are below most of the admitted students at USC and your chances of admission are slim. But if you have scored 1540 or more, then your chances of admission are higher. The 25th percentile means that only 25% of admitted students have a score lower than this. The 75th percentile marks the score of the top 25% of students.
View list of all colleges with an average SAT score of 1500Can I get into University of Southern California (USC) with a 1550 SAT?
With a 1550 SAT Score, your chances of admission at University of Southern California (USC) are good, but the admission staff at USC considers your overall personality and academic performance. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extracurricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. If you did not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas. Improving in other areas will help you secure admission. A high GPA, taking IB or AP courses, and leadership roles will definitely increase your chances of admission. However, if you perform well in all areas, then your chances of admission are high.
University of Southern California (USC) ACT Requirements
The average ACT Score at University of Southern California is 34.
This score makes University of Southern California Extremely Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do extremely well to score 34 on the ACT.ACT 25th Percentile: 32
ACT 75th Percentile: 35
View the list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 34.
Can I get into University of Southern California with a 35 ACT?
With a 35 ACT Score, your chances of admission at University of Southern California are good, but the admission staff does not consider your ACT score only. The college admission process assesses your overall personality and academic performance. Your GPA, class performance, SAT/ACT/test scores, and IB or AP courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extracurricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. If you did not perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas. Improving in other areas will help you secure admission.
SAT vs ACT: Which Score to Send
You can compare your SAT and ACT scores to the average SAT and ACT scores of admitted students at University of Southern California. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your SAT score is close to the 75th percentile, you should send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you should send your ACT score.
But there’s more: if both of your scores are in the same range, it is better to send the ACT score because, with the ACT, you can control which score to send, unlike the SAT.
Here’s how: When sending an ACT score, you can decide which score you want to send to colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report includes all of your attempts.
View the list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 34.USC Profile
Name: University of Southern California (USC)
City: Los Angeles
URL: www.usc.edu/
State: California
Type: Non-Profit Private
Zip: 90089
Campus: Main
Accredited by: Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission (WASCSR)
Is a Degree from USC Worth It?
Getting into USC can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. USC offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at USC is USD: 76787.41 and the unemployment rate is 3.67%.
How Much Does a Degree from USC Cost?The average annual cost of a degree at University of Southern California is USD: 67045. Since most students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants, the average annual net price a student has to pay at University of Southern California is much less than this.
How Can I Get a Scholarship?
21.12% of the students receive Pell Grants, and 23.02% receive federal grants. So, it is a wise choice to attend USC and apply for Pell or federal loan grants.
At University of Southern California, you should have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Be sure to fill out the FAFSA application form as early as possible and list USC as your choice on the form.
How Much Does a USC Graduate Earn?
The average annual salary of a USC graduate 4-6 years after graduation is USD 89884. On average, a USC graduate earns this amount 10 years after enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD 36,834.
USC Degree Programs
University of Southern California offers following degree programs.
Bachelor Programs
- Accounting
- Aerospace Engineering
- Air Transportation
- Allied Health Sciences
- Anthropology
- Applied Mathematics
- Archeology
- Architectural Sciences and Technology
- Architecture
- Area Studies
Full list of All degree programs offered by University of Southern California.
Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, US Department of Education, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.