Can you get into University of Southern California?

Los Angeles, CA · Private · 20,443 students Here’s the class that got in. See where your numbers land in it.

Add your GPA, or a test score, and the read appears here. Nothing you type leaves this page.

The admitted class · 2024

Here’s what it took to get in.

Acceptance rate

9.8%

SAT middle 50%

1450–1550

median 1475

ACT middle 50%

32–35

median 34

Admitted GPA

~3.80

unweighted, 4.0 scale

Top 10% of class

73%

of admitted students

Testing

Optional

34% submitted an SAT

Graduation rate

92%

within six years

Reported by the college

What does University of Southern California actually read?

Colleges publish which parts of an application they weigh. It’s the most useful thing they say about admissions. Almost nobody reads it. Say the essay counts a lot here and class rank doesn’t count at all. That tells you where to put your work.

  • Very important

    The parts of an application this school weighs most heavily.

    • Grades
    • Course rigor
    • Test scores
    • Essay
    • Recommendations

  • Important

    Weighed, though below the factors above.

    • Extracurriculars
    • Talent or ability
    • Character and personal qualities

  • Considered

    Looked at, but not decisive on its own.

    • First-generation status
    • Legacy
    • Volunteer work
    • Work experience

  • Not considered

    Reported as playing no part in the decision.

    • Class rank
    • Interview
    • Demonstrated interest
    • State residency
    • Where you live
    • Religious affiliation

From University of Southern California’s Common Data Set, 2024, section C7, where colleges report how heavily they weigh each part of an application.

Admitted GPA · 2024

What GPA do you need for University of Southern California?

Admitted students average around a 3.80 (unweighted, 4.0 scale). One average hides how tight the top of an admitted class is. Here’s the whole spread:

  • 3.75 and above78%
  • 3.50 to 3.7415%
  • 3.25 to 3.494%
  • 3.00 to 3.242%
  • 2.50 to 2.99<1%
  • 2.00 to 2.49<1%
  • Below 2.000%

Share of admitted students in each band, from University of Southern California’s Common Data Set. Colleges read GPA next to course rigor. A slightly lower GPA in harder classes can read stronger than the number suggests.

Real cost · 2024 data

What do families actually pay?

The sticker price is $90,300. Almost nobody pays it. Here’s what families pay at University of Southern California by income, after grants and scholarships:

  • Under $30k$13,516
  • $30k–$48k$14,394
  • $48k–$75k$19,539
  • $75k–$110k$24,976
  • Over $110k$56,116

U.S. Department of Education data: average net price a year for first-time students who got aid. Your own number depends on your family’s finances.

Keep going

Keep reading about University of Southern California.

Full University of Southern California profileUniversity of Southern California essay prompts (14)University of Southern California admission requirementsBuild your whole list

Harder to get into

About as selective

More likely for the same profile

Common questions

What do students ask about University of Southern California?

What’s University of Southern California’s acceptance rate?

University of Southern California admits 9.8% of applicants (latest reported cycle: 2024).

What SAT score do you need for University of Southern California?

The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1450 and 1550. A score above 1550 clears the 75th percentile. Below 1450, the rest of your application has to do more of the work, or you can apply test-optional.

What GPA do you need for University of Southern California?

Admitted students average around a 3.80 GPA (unweighted, 4.0 scale). 73% of them ranked in the top 10% of their class. Colleges read GPA next to course rigor. A slightly lower GPA in harder classes can read stronger.

Is University of Southern California test-optional?

Yes, University of Southern California is currently test-optional. Send a score if it lands in or above the admitted middle 50%.

What does University of Southern California look for in an application?

University of Southern California says it weighs grades, course rigor, test scores, essay, recommendations most heavily, in its Common Data Set. What it lists as not considered is worth knowing too. Work you put there doesn’t count here.

How much does University of Southern California actually cost?

The sticker price is $90,300. The average family pays $32,740 after aid. Families earning under $30k pay about $13,516 a year on average.

What Spike does with this

Use the University of Southern California read in your plan.

Spike ties your numbers to your courses, testing, essays, and activities. It does the same for the rest of your college list.

The full counselor launches in November.