Los Angeles, CA · 20.4k students
Trajecta score
+1.6 since '20Ranked #39 of 2,375
5-year trend
76.3 · #42
2020
79.2 · #33
2021
78.6 · #43
2022
78.0 · #45
2023
77.9 · #46
2024
Academic Profile
92/ 100
Career Outcomes
86/ 100
Student Success
90/ 100
Affordability
53/ 100
Academic Investment
98/ 100
Access & Equity
42/ 100
Academic Profile
92
Career Outcomes
86
Student Success
90
Affordability
53
Academic Investment
98
Access & Equity
42
AI Fit Analysis
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See how your profile stacks up at University of Southern California — predicted chances, program fit, and a personalized application strategy.
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Cost / Net Price
$90k / $33k
SAT Avg
1,495
Retention
96%
Grad Rate
92%
Admissions
Test Scores
Scores represent the midpoint of enrolled students, not a cutoff.
Finances
Tuition
In-State Tuition
$72,097
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$72,097
per year
Aid & Debt
Pell Grant Share
22%
undergraduates receiving Pell
Federal Loan Share
24%
students borrowing
Median Debt
among completers
$18,000
Admissions Factors
Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.
3.80
average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen · 99% reporting
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what University of Southern California reports weighing in admissions.
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important | |||
| Class rank | Class rank: Not Considered | |||
| Academic GPA | Academic GPA: Very Important | |||
| Standardized test scores | Standardized test scores: Very Important | |||
| Application essay | Application essay: Very Important | |||
| Recommendation(s) | Recommendation(s): Very Important | |||
| Interview | Interview: Not Considered | |||
| Extracurricular activities | Extracurricular activities: Important | |||
| Talent/ability | Talent/ability: Important | |||
| Character/personal qualities | Character/personal qualities: Important | |||
| First generation | First generation: Considered | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | Alumni/ae relation: Considered | |||
| Geographical residence | Geographical residence: Not Considered | |||
| State residency | State residency: Not Considered | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered | |||
| Volunteer work | Volunteer work: Considered | |||
| Work experience | Work experience: Considered | |||
| Level of applicant's interest | Level of applicant's interest: Not Considered |
Supplemental Essays · 2025-26
school's admissions site ↗Why USC
Required250 wordsDescribe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections.
Quick Takes: Three words
RequiredNo stated limitDescribe yourself in 3 words.
Quick Takes: Favorite snack
RequiredNo stated limitWhat is your favorite snack?
Quick Takes: Best movie
RequiredNo stated limitBest movie of all time?
Quick Takes: Dream job
RequiredNo stated limitDream job?
Quick Takes: Theme song
RequiredNo stated limitIf your life had a theme song, what would it be?
Quick Takes: Dream trip
RequiredNo stated limitDream trip?
Quick Takes: Next binge watch
RequiredNo stated limitWhat TV show will you binge watch next?
Quick Takes: Favorite book
RequiredNo stated limitFavorite book?
Quick Takes: Ideal roommate
RequiredNo stated limitWhich well-known person or fictional character would be your ideal roommate?
Quick Takes: Teach a class
RequiredNo stated limitIf you could teach a class on any topic, what would it be?
Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →
Methodology
The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.
Read the full methodologyMedian earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.
Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.
Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.
Graduation rate and first-year retention.
Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.
Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.
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