University of Southern California acceptance rate, scores and deadlines

Los Angeles, CA · private · 20,443 undergraduates

Acceptance rate 11.2% Fall 2025 · ↑1.4 pts
SAT, middle 50% 1470–1540 Enrolled, Fall 2025
Tests, 2026–27 Test-optional From the admissions site

Source: Common Data Set 2025–26 · deadlines from USC's admissions site.

Chances at USC
1500
unweighted, 4.0 scale —
Your odds · Regular decision Reach
5.1–13%
  • Your SAT 1500 is inside the middle 50% of enrolled students (1470–1540).
  • Only 33% of enrolled students sent an SAT, so that middle 50% may run high.
  • USC admits 11.2% of applicants overall.
  • Under 15% admitted: a reach for every applicant.

Data: Common Data Set 2025–26 · Test-optional for 2026–27

An estimate, not a guarantee. Save to my list

Acceptance rate

USC acceptance rate by year

9,345 of 83,488 applicants admitted for Fall 2025, against 9.8% for Fall 2024.

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 201520172019202120232025 11.2%
Show the numbers
Entering classAppliedAdmittedRateSource
Fall 202583,4889,34511.2%Common Data Set
Fall 202482,0278,0509.8%IPEDS
Fall 202380,8088,09410.0%IPEDS
Fall 202269,0628,30412.0%IPEDS
Fall 202171,0318,88412.5%IPEDS
Fall 202059,7129,61816.1%IPEDS
Fall 201966,1987,55811.4%IPEDS
Fall 201864,3528,33913.0%IPEDS
Fall 201756,6769,04216.0%IPEDS
Fall 201654,2809,02216.6%IPEDS
Fall 201551,9249,18117.7%IPEDS

2026–27 applications

USC deadlines for 2026–27

Apply with Common App. Checked October 24, 2026 on USC's admissions site. Dates can change; confirm them there before you submit.

  1. Early decision Apply by Decisions Mid-December
  2. Early action Apply by Decisions Late January
  3. Regular decision Apply by Decisions By April 1
Every 2026–27 deadline, in date order

Early rounds

Early decision and early action at USC

USC offers early decision and early action for 2026–27. It does not publish separate early admit rates in its Common Data Set.

Scores and GPA

Test scores and GPA at USC

Scores are for enrolled students who sent them, not for everyone admitted.

SAT, middle 50% 1470–1540
40033% sent a score1600
ACT, middle 50% 32–35
1Enrolled, Fall 202536
Average high school GPA 3.85
As reported, 99.92% reported a GPA
High school GPA of enrolled first-years (Fall 2025)
  • 4.028.2%
  • 3.75–3.9952.0%
  • 3.50–3.7414.3%
  • 3.25–3.493.5%
  • 3.00–3.241.1%
  • 2.50–2.990.7%
  • Below 2.500.2%

What counts

What USC weighs

From section C7 of USC's Common Data Set 2025–26.

Very important

  • Course rigor
  • GPA
  • Essays
  • Recommendations
  • Character

Important

  • Activities
  • Talent or ability

Considered

  • Test scores
  • First-generation status
  • Alumni relation
  • Volunteer work
  • Work experience

Not considered

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

Cost

What USC costs

From the College Scorecard. For your own estimate, use USC's net price calculator.

Tuition$75,162
Per year
Average net price$33,056
After grants, aided students
Open USC's net price calculator

Compare

Colleges with a similar acceptance rate

Close to USC's 11.2%, from the same official data.

FAQ

Questions about USC admissions

What is USC's acceptance rate?

USC admitted 9,345 of 83,488 first-year applicants for Fall 2025, an acceptance rate of 11.2%. That is up from 9.8% for Fall 2024. Source: Common Data Set 2025–26.

Is USC test-optional for 2026–27?

Yes. USC is test-optional for 2026–27: you can apply with or without SAT or ACT scores.

When are USC's application deadlines for 2026–27?

Early decision: November 1, 2026; Early action: November 1, 2026; Regular decision: January 10, 2027. Check USC's admissions site before you apply, as dates can change.

What SAT score do you need for USC?

There is no cutoff. The middle 50% of enrolled first-years scored 1470–1540 on the SAT (Fall 2025), and 33% of them sent a score. A score at or above 1540 is in the top quarter of enrolled students.

Where the numbers come from

Sources

Odds are estimates from public data, shown as a range. An estimate, not a guarantee.

My list

Plan USC with the rest of your list.

Deadlines, balance and costs for every college you are thinking about. Free for six colleges.

Start my free plan Check my chances at USC