California · College profile
University of Southern California: SAT & ACT Scores, Acceptance Rate and Costs
University of Southern California is a private nonprofit four-year university in Los Angeles, California, enrolling about 20,443 undergraduates. It admits roughly 10% of applicants, which makes it highly selective relative to four-year colleges nationally.
SAT and ACT scores at University of Southern California
| Measure | Score |
|---|---|
| SAT 25th percentile | 1450 |
| SAT 75th percentile | 1550 |
| SAT midpoint (estimated) | 1500 |
| ACT 25th percentile | 32 |
| ACT 75th percentile | 35 |
| ACT midpoint (estimated) | 33 |
A quarter of enrolled students scored below 1450 and a quarter scored above 1550. Treat 1550 as the target that makes your score a clear strength in this applicant pool, and 1450 as the point below which the rest of your application has to carry more weight.
The two ranges describe the same class, so submit whichever test places you higher in its own range — an ACT 35 and an SAT 1550 are read as equivalent here.
Admissions and selectivity
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 9.8% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 20,443 |
| Student–faculty ratio | 9:1 |
| Setting | City |
| Control | Private Nonprofit |
Cost and financial aid
| Measure | Amount |
|---|---|
| In-state tuition and fees | $72,097 |
| Out-of-state tuition and fees | $72,097 |
| Room and board | $19,931 |
| Average net price (first-year students) | $32,740 |
| Students receiving Pell grants | 22.2% |
| Students taking federal loans | 23.6% |
| Median federal loan debt at graduation | $16,112 |
Net price is the number that matters: $32,740 is what a typical first-year student actually pays after grants and scholarships, not the sticker price. Run the college's own net price calculator with your family's numbers before ruling it out on cost.
Graduation and earnings outcomes
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Graduation rate (6-year) | 91.8% |
| First-year retention | 95.9% |
| Median earnings 10 years after entry | $92,498 |
| Students who are first-generation | 24.7% |
Most popular majors
- Business & marketing — 23% of bachelor's degrees
- Visual & performing arts — 12% of bachelor's degrees
- Social sciences — 10% of bachelor's degrees
- Engineering — 8% of bachelor's degrees
Shares are of bachelor's degrees awarded, so a concentrated list usually signals a college known for those programs.
How your score compares
Take a free adaptive practice test on FunSAT, get an unofficial score estimate, and see exactly where you land inside University of Southern California's reported range alongside the rest of your college list.
Start a free practice test →Frequently asked questions
What SAT score do you need for University of Southern California?
The middle 50% of enrolled students at University of Southern California scored between 1450 and 1550 on the SAT. A score at or above 1550 puts you in the top quarter of admitted students; below 1450 the rest of your application carries more weight.
What ACT score do you need for University of Southern California?
The middle 50% ACT range at University of Southern California is 32 to 35. Aim for 35 to make the score a clear strength.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern California?
University of Southern California admits about 9.8% of applicants according to the most recent U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data.
How much does University of Southern California cost?
Published tuition and fees are $72,097 in-state and $72,097 out-of-state, but the average first-year student pays a net price of $32,740 after grant aid.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard, Most-Recent-Cohorts-Institution. May 2026 release (file published 2026-05-26). Score ranges and costs are reported by the institution to the U.S. Department of Education and can lag the current admissions cycle by a year or more.
FunSAT is a free browser-based SAT and ACT prep app: digital SAT and ACT practice tests, unofficial score calculators, a built-in graphing calculator, college admissions chances from official U.S. Department of Education data, and a scholarship search. Start free practice →