More selective than 95% of California colleges we cover. U.S. median 77%.
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class
32% of enrolled first-years sent SAT scores, 14% sent ACT scores.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Called “yield.” A high yield means many admitted students choose USC over other offers.
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class
Applicants, admits and enrollment
IPEDS Admissions, Fall 2023 entering class (first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates). Newer counts arrive with the next IPEDS release.
USC SAT and ACT scores
Scores of enrolled first-year students who submitted them, Fall 2024. A quarter scored below the 25th percentile and a quarter above the 75th. If your score is above the 75th, USC is likely within reach on scores alone; below the 25th, it is a reach.
| Test | 25th percentile | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| SAT reading & writing | 710 | 760 |
| SAT math | 740 | 790 |
| ACT composite | 32 | 35 |
| SAT total (approx.) | 1450 | 1550 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class (reported to IPEDS). SAT total adds the two section scores, an approximation.
USC admissions year over year
| Entering class | Acceptance | SAT reading | SAT math | ACT | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | 10% | 710–760 | 740–790 | 32–35 | College Scorecard |
| Fall 2023 | 10% | 700–760 | 740–790 | 32–35 | IPEDS |
Score ranges are the 25th–75th percentiles. Each year is kept as published; we add a year with every federal release.
How selective is USC compared with other California colleges?
USC has the 6th-lowest acceptance rate of 92 California colleges we cover. Schools around it:
| Rank | College | Acceptance | Graduation | Avg. net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Stanford University | 4% | 92% | $13,807 |
| 3 | Pomona College | 7% | 93% | $19,285 |
| 4 | University of California-Los Angeles | 9% | 93% | $12,548 |
| 5 | Claremont McKenna College | 10% | 91% | $28,849 |
| 6 | University of Southern California | 10% | 92% | $32,740 |
| 7 | University of California-Berkeley | 11% | 93% | $13,481 |
| 8 | Harvey Mudd College | 13% | 92% | $35,924 |
| 9 | Northeastern University Oakland | 17% | — | $25,181 |
| 10 | Pitzer College | 25% | 83% | $34,191 |
College Scorecard, Fall 2024 entering class. All California colleges →
Who enrolls at USC
College Scorecard; IPEDS
USC admissions questions
What is the USC acceptance rate?
University of Southern California accepts 10% of applicants, about 1 in 10. For the Fall 2023 entering class, 8,094 of 80,808 applicants were admitted.
Does USC require the SAT or ACT?
University of Southern California considers SAT or ACT scores but does not require them (test-optional), according to its federal admissions report for Fall 2023. 32% of enrolled first-year students submitted SAT scores and 14% submitted ACT scores.
What SAT score do you need for USC?
The middle 50% of University of Southern California enrolled first-year students scored 1450–1550 on the SAT and 32–35 on the ACT. A score above the upper number puts you in the top quarter of enrolled students; below the lower number puts you in the bottom quarter.
How many admitted students enroll at USC?
45% of admitted students enrolled in Fall 2023 (3,633 of 8,094).
Is USC getting harder to get into?
University of Southern California accepted 10% of applicants for Fall 2024, compared with 10% for Fall 2023.
Is USC the right fit for your family?
Get a free report comparing USC with up to 4 other schools on what you'd actually pay, what graduates in your major earn, and how each fits your priorities.
Build my free reportCheck my chances of getting inWe never share your contact information.
Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS Admissions; years shown with each figure. “Colleges we cover” means colleges awarding bachelor's degrees to at least 100 undergraduates. Back to University of Southern California overview