University of Southern California (USC)
Private nonprofit four-year university in Los Angeles, CA that costs an average of $33,056 a year after financial aid, admits 9.8% of applicants and graduates 90% of full-time students.
Net price / year
$33,056
Acceptance rate
9.8%
Graduation rate
90%
Earnings after 10 yrs
$103,420
Private nonprofitLarge city20,443 undergraduates
Cost of USC
| Total cost of attendance (per year) | $95,048 |
|---|---|
| Tuition and fees, in-state | $75,162 |
| Housing and food (on campus) | $20,817 |
| Books and supplies | $650 |
| Average net price after aid | $33,056 |
Net price by family income
| Family income | Average net price / year |
|---|---|
| $0–30,000 | $17,171 |
| $30,001–48,000 | $13,736 |
| $48,001–75,000 | $18,282 |
| $75,001–110,000 | $28,033 |
| $110,001+ | $59,062 |
Net price is what students actually pay after grants and scholarships. Get your own estimate with USC's net price calculator ↗.
Admissions
| Acceptance rate | 9.8% |
|---|---|
| Average SAT | 1,495 |
| SAT reading (25th–75th percentile) | 710–760 |
| SAT math (25th–75th percentile) | 740–790 |
| ACT composite (25th–75th percentile) | 32–35 |
| Test scores | Considered but not required |
Graduation, earnings and debt
| Graduation rate | 90% |
|---|---|
| First-year retention | 96% |
| Median earnings 6 years after enrolling | $78,485 |
| Median earnings 10 years after enrolling | $103,420 |
| Rank in California (earnings) | 13th of 129 similar colleges |
| Median debt of graduates | $17,000 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $193 (10-year plan) |
| Students with Pell grants | 27% |
| Students with federal loans | 22% |
Majors and programs at USC
Earnings one year after graduation and median debt, by program. Click a program for details and comparisons.
Bachelor's degree programs (90)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering | 70 | $155,416 | — |
| Computer Science | 657 | $153,063 | $16,550 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 6 | $98,335 | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 81 | $95,396 | $19,968 |
| Real Estate | — | $92,528 | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 194 | $89,664 | $15,858 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 116 | $88,334 | $19,125 |
| Industrial Engineering | 124 | $86,653 | $22,500 |
| Chemical Engineering | 79 | $85,467 | $16,500 |
| Applied Mathematics | 279 | $83,785 | $18,625 |
| Accounting and Related Services | — | $81,514 | — |
| Civil Engineering | 62 | $81,387 | $18,817 |
| Real Estate Development | 205 | $80,927 | $12,000 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 2,567 | $77,577 | $15,000 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 125 | $76,163 | $12,540 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | — | $75,082 | — |
| Economics | 375 | $72,737 | $19,500 |
| Cognitive Science | 114 | $67,607 | $13,000 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 86 | $65,676 | $16,500 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 130 | $65,338 | $23,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 158 | $63,165 | $12,125 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 284 | $58,462 | $17,600 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 521 | $57,017 | $16,360 |
| Political Science and Government | 280 | $55,788 | $14,250 |
| Design and Applied Arts | 145 | $52,814 | $18,250 |
| Philosophy | 161 | $52,079 | $18,250 |
| Journalism | 185 | $51,919 | $15,500 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 72 | $50,471 | $16,745 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 151 | $47,675 | $18,750 |
| Psychology | 427 | $46,973 | $15,215 |
| Sociology | 119 | $42,444 | $18,125 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 62 | $40,253 | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 69 | $40,240 | $17,250 |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 81 | $39,020 | $17,727 |
| Biology | 144 | $38,782 | $14,291 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 118 | $38,709 | $19,000 |
| Dance | 40 | $35,350 | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 345 | $34,718 | $17,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 194 | $33,860 | $18,309 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 103 | $32,077 | $19,875 |
| Music | 152 | $31,854 | $16,649 |
| Human Biology | 523 | $30,461 | $15,500 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 358 | $28,161 | $18,750 |
| Anthropology | 20 | — | — |
| Archeology | 12 | — | — |
| Architecture | 22 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 27 | — | — |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics | 7 | — | — |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 36 | — | — |
| Biotechnology | 4 | — | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 5 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 31 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 3 | — | — |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 64 | — | — |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | — | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 38 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 5 | — | — |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | 109 | — | $15,721 |
| Engineering | — | — | — |
| Engineering-Related Fields | 62 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 49 | — | $19,500 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 14 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 24 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | 30 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 2 | — | — |
| Gerontology | 39 | — | $12,500 |
| Graphic Communications | 14 | — | — |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | 11 | — | — |
| History | 162 | — | $15,750 |
| International Business | — | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 16 | — | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | — | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 34 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 33 | — | — |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 90 | — | $18,750 |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 43 | — | $14,000 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 2 | — | — |
| Physical Sciences | 1 | — | — |
| Physics | 39 | — | — |
| Public Health | 225 | — | $17,279 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | — | — | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 19 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 8 | — | — |
| Security Science and Technology | 70 | — | $17,000 |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| Social Sciences | 51 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 1 | — | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 21 | — | — |
Certificate programs (1)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality Administration/Management | — | — | — |
Master's degree programs (128)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Business | — | $153,457 | — |
| Computer Science | 2,304 | $152,365 | $41,882 |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 26 | $149,427 | — |
| Systems Engineering | 63 | $145,458 | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 752 | $143,987 | — |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 889 | $142,394 | $84,430 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 124 | $136,216 | $231,288 |
| Real Estate Development | 50 | $130,243 | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 2,226 | $127,433 | $71,750 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 221 | $124,941 | $47,480 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 212 | $124,876 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 140 | $123,133 | $92,926 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | 726 | $122,790 | $46,500 |
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | 63 | $119,959 | — |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 275 | $118,287 | $43,375 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 90 | $109,506 | $58,830 |
| Taxation | 21 | $103,572 | — |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 247 | $100,209 | $97,782 |
| Engineering, Other | 435 | $99,511 | $35,171 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | 456 | $98,814 | $58,519 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 17 | $98,014 | $80,778 |
| Dispute Resolution | 57 | $89,129 | — |
| Public Administration | 377 | $88,610 | $83,346 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 41 | $88,498 | $49,043 |
| Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies | — | $86,329 | — |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 938 | $83,328 | $65,303 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology | 253 | $82,628 | $73,987 |
| Marketing | 43 | $81,786 | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 344 | $80,596 | $139,930 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 195 | $79,890 | $68,250 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | 35 | $78,598 | — |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 139 | $78,524 | $41,000 |
| Geography and Cartography | 113 | $76,900 | $77,647 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 143 | $76,088 | $61,500 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 198 | $75,415 | $43,913 |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | 39 | $72,038 | $48,832 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | 374 | $71,773 | $58,185 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 563 | $71,664 | $74,960 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 163 | $69,439 | — |
| Social Work | 1,156 | $68,115 | $114,877 |
| Gerontology | 199 | $67,935 | $72,561 |
| Public Health | 554 | $67,637 | $88,374 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | 355 | $66,277 | $79,378 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 367 | $64,859 | $118,765 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 143 | $64,721 | $53,081 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 70 | $64,560 | $67,740 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions | 129 | $63,604 | $145,697 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas | 375 | $62,342 | $65,410 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 87 | $56,640 | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 58 | $52,591 | $103,606 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language | 153 | $52,563 | $73,981 |
| Journalism | 124 | $52,231 | $45,476 |
| Library Science and Administration | 25 | $50,946 | $88,150 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 77 | $45,637 | $99,370 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 331 | $41,896 | $141,854 |
| Music | 170 | $36,389 | $42,500 |
| Anthropology | 18 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 279 | — | — |
| Architecture and Related Services, Other | 1 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 24 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 30 | — | — |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 1 | — | — |
| Biology | 11 | — | — |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 105 | — | — |
| Biotechnology | 33 | — | — |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | 7 | — | — |
| Chemical Engineering | 48 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 4 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering | 81 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 18 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 4 | — | — |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | 23 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering | 170 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 193 | — | — |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 3 | — | — |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management | 72 | — | — |
| Construction Engineering | 35 | — | — |
| Construction Management | — | — | — |
| Data Analytics | 208 | — | — |
| Design and Applied Arts | 64 | — | — |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | — | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 2 | — | — |
| Economics | 314 | — | — |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | 74 | — | — |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians | 9 | — | — |
| Engineering Physics | 1 | — | — |
| Engineering-Related Fields | 159 | — | $61,500 |
| English Language and Literature | 15 | — | — |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 35 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 41 | — | — |
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services | 5 | — | — |
| Genetics | 1 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 2 | — | — |
| Graphic Communications | 35 | — | — |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 17 | — | — |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities | 10 | — | — |
| Historic Preservation and Conservation | 16 | — | — |
| History | 12 | — | — |
| Homeland Security | 17 | — | — |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | — | — | — |
| Industrial Engineering | 63 | — | — |
| Information Science/Studies | 22 | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | 9 | — | — |
| International/Globalization Studies | 43 | — | — |
| Landscape Architecture | 13 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 26 | — | — |
| Materials Engineering | 44 | — | — |
| Materials Sciences | 15 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 9 | — | — |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | 9 | — | — |
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies | 12 | — | — |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | 27 | — | — |
| Nutrition Sciences | 56 | — | $53,520 |
| Operations Research | 35 | — | — |
| Petroleum Engineering | 17 | — | — |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 16 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 2 | — | — |
| Physics | 6 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 31 | — | — |
| Psychology | 21 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies | 19 | — | — |
| Science, Technology and Society | 18 | — | — |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| Social Sciences | 7 | — | — |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | — | — | — |
| Statistics | 10 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | — | — | — |
Doctoral degree programs (61)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 43 | $226,049 | $252,722 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 635 | $130,440 | $94,905 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 33 | $117,064 | — |
| Social Work | 118 | $97,658 | $127,849 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 4 | $82,653 | $241,486 |
| Medicine | — | $78,370 | — |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 8 | — | — |
| Applied Mathematics | 14 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 11 | — | — |
| Behavioral Sciences | 12 | — | — |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | 22 | — | — |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other | 17 | — | — |
| Biology | 14 | — | — |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology | 23 | — | — |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering | 34 | — | — |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences | 16 | — | — |
| Chemical Engineering | 12 | — | — |
| Chemistry | 58 | — | — |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning | 9 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering | 8 | — | — |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 6 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 30 | — | — |
| Computer Engineering | 5 | — | — |
| Computer Science | 115 | — | — |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | 2 | — | — |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology | 28 | — | — |
| Economics | 35 | — | — |
| Education | 1 | — | — |
| Education, Other | 32 | — | — |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 100 | — | — |
| English Language and Literature | 30 | — | — |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | 10 | — | — |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | 18 | — | — |
| Fine and Studio Arts | 6 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | 9 | — | — |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | 16 | — | — |
| Gerontology | 7 | — | — |
| History | 8 | — | — |
| Industrial Engineering | 20 | — | — |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | — | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 22 | — | — |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 26 | — | — |
| Marine Sciences | 2 | — | — |
| Materials Sciences | 14 | — | — |
| Mathematics | 18 | — | — |
| Mechanical Engineering | 23 | — | — |
| Music | 60 | — | — |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | 34 | — | — |
| Petroleum Engineering | 7 | — | — |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology | 5 | — | — |
| Philosophy | 11 | — | — |
| Physics | 19 | — | — |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences | 19 | — | — |
| Political Science and Government | 23 | — | — |
| Public Health | 10 | — | — |
| Public Policy Analysis | 10 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 2 | — | — |
| Religious Music and Worship | 2 | — | — |
| Research and Experimental Psychology | 24 | — | — |
| Social Sciences | 11 | — | — |
| Urban Studies/Affairs | 8 | — | — |
Professional degree programs (5)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Law | 401 | $207,632 | $139,036 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 363 | $111,429 | $271,770 |
| Dentistry | 358 | $93,656 | $476,329 |
| Medicine | 333 | $79,316 | $225,644 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 471 | — | — |
Graduate certificate programs (47)
| Program | Graduates (2 yrs) | Earnings after 1 yr | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management Services | 37 | $199,110 | — |
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | 121 | $194,146 | $145,480 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 103 | $141,141 | — |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other | 510 | $108,644 | $76,500 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management | 58 | $107,746 | $145,235 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies | 425 | $100,754 | $63,546 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 249 | $97,538 | $79,635 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 169 | $86,486 | $90,334 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 46 | $81,180 | $112,203 |
| Special Education and Teaching | 38 | $64,156 | $96,457 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | 6 | — | — |
| Architectural History, Criticism, and Conservation | 1 | — | — |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology | 7 | — | — |
| Area Studies | 4 | — | — |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other | 10 | — | — |
| Civil Engineering | 1 | — | — |
| Communication and Media Studies | 9 | — | — |
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 2 | — | — |
| Dental Residency/Fellowship Programs | — | — | — |
| Dispute Resolution | 17 | — | — |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research | 15 | — | — |
| Engineering, Other | 1 | — | — |
| Environmental Design | 30 | — | — |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | 17 | — | — |
| Geography and Cartography | 14 | — | — |
| Gerontology | 22 | — | — |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | 7 | — | — |
| Historic Preservation and Conservation | 10 | — | — |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | 67 | — | — |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations | 4 | — | — |
| Landscape Architecture | 6 | — | — |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 2 | — | — |
| Marketing | 57 | — | $141,239 |
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies | 1 | — | — |
| Music | 38 | — | — |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration | 31 | — | — |
| Public Administration | 16 | — | — |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other | 5 | — | — |
| Real Estate Development | 38 | — | — |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 41 | — | — |
| Religion/Religious Studies | 5 | — | — |
| Science, Technology and Society | 5 | — | — |
| Social Work | 32 | — | $92,559 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services | 5 | — | — |
| Sustainability Studies | 26 | — | — |
| Systems Engineering | 12 | — | — |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 5 | — | — |
Similar colleges in California
| College | City | Net price / yr | Acceptance | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of the People | Pasadena | — | — | — |
| National University | San Diego | $24,008 | — | $73,988 |
| California Baptist University | Riverside | $24,138 | 85% | $67,633 |
| Stanford University | Stanford | $12,307 | 3.6% | $125,340 |
| Chapman University | Orange | $46,708 | 65% | $80,694 |
| Loyola Marymount University | Los Angeles | $50,518 | 45% | $86,034 |
| Santa Clara University | Santa Clara | $36,116 | 48% | $117,193 |
| University of San Diego | San Diego | $29,539 | 52% | $93,069 |
About USC
| Type | Private nonprofit four-year university |
|---|---|
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
| Setting | Large city |
| Undergraduates | 20,443 |
| Student-to-faculty ratio | 9 to 1 |
| Accreditor | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
| Website | usc.edu ↗ |
Frequently asked questions
What is USC's acceptance rate?
University of Southern California admits 9.8% of applicants, making it highly selective. Admitted students average 1,495 on the SAT.
How much does USC cost per year?
The full cost of attendance is $95,048 a year (tuition and fees: $75,162). After grants and scholarships the average student pays $33,056 a year, and students from families earning under $30,000 pay about $17,171.
How much do USC graduates earn?
Former students earn a median of $103,420 a year, 10 years after first enrolling — 13th of 129 similar colleges in California. The best-paid bachelor's program is computer engineering ($155,416 a year after graduation).
What is USC's graduation rate?
90% of full-time students graduate within six years, and 96% of first-year students return for a second year.