University of Southern California
A good fit for high-achieving applicants seeking a top-tier program and students who want a large campus community. no major red flags in the data. graduates earn a median of $88,800 within 10 years; exceptional 92% graduation rate.
About This School
University of Southern California is a private nonprofit institution located in Los Angeles, California with approximately 20,443 undergraduate students enrolled. Admissions are highly selective, with an acceptance rate of 10%. The average net price after financial aid is $32,740 per year. The graduation rate is 92%, and the typical graduate earns $88,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Founded in 1880 by Robert M. Widney, it is the oldest private research university in California and has an enrollment of more than 47,000 students.
This is a strong option for students who want a prestigious Los Angeles-based research university with genuinely impressive outcomes — a 92% graduation rate, 97% freshman retention, and median earnings of $88,800 a decade out paint a picture of a school where students actually finish and land well. The median debt at graduation is a reasonable $16,112, though the $31,927 average net price is still a significant annual commitment, so make sure the aid package is real before getting attached to the name. At 10% acceptance, admission is highly competitive, so apply with clear-eyed backup options.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 20% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
What Each Major Actually Earns
Median earnings four years after graduation, by major, next to the national median for that same major at every college. The school-wide average hides this: at most schools the spread between the best- and worst-paying majors is far wider than the gap between schools.
University of Southern California graduates earn most above the national rate in Computer Science ($192,897 vs $107,009 nationally).
| Major | Grads | Here | National | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 832 | $109,128 | $68,257 | +$40,871 |
| Computer Science | 305 | $192,897 | $107,009 | +$85,888 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 269 | $75,864 | $56,359 | +$19,505 |
| Human Biology | 241 | $69,751 | $64,732 | +$5,019 |
| Psychology, General | 189 | $70,461 | $50,706 | +$19,755 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 178 | $58,623 | $43,765 | +$14,858 |
| Economics | 178 | $94,435 | $82,686 | +$11,749 |
| Accounting and Related Services | 160 | $121,101 | $76,194 | +$44,907 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 150 | $40,415 | $39,775 | +$640 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 145 | $84,866 | $66,596 | +$18,270 |
| Political Science and Government | 132 | $75,090 | $63,293 | +$11,797 |
| Applied Mathematics | 126 | $101,094 | $91,532 | +$9,562 |
U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard field-of-study data. Median earnings of graduates working and not enrolled four years after completing a bachelor's degreehere. Majors with too few graduates to report are omitted for privacy, so this is not the school's full program list.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (20,443 undergraduates).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Schools Like This in California
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Ashford University
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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · Public
University of California-Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, CA · Public
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA · Public
University of California-Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA · Public
See How Colleges Compare
University of Southern California is one of thousands of colleges in our data studies, each built from the same U.S. Department of Education data shown on this page. Compare schools head to head:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern California?
University of Southern California has an acceptance rate of 10%, based on the most recent data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Is University of Southern California hard to get into?
Yes. With an acceptance rate of 10%, University of Southern California is highly selective, so strong grades, a rigorous course load, and a standout application matter.
How much does University of Southern California cost?
The average net price at University of Southern California is about $32,740 per year after grants and scholarships, based on federal data. Your actual cost depends on your family's finances and aid package.
What is the graduation rate at University of Southern California?
University of Southern California has a graduation rate of 92%, according to U.S. Department of Education data.
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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