USC is an innovative private research university that blends the autonomy for exploration emblematic of a private institution with its size and resources, along with the breadth and scale of a public university.
A Leading Private Research University
In the 2024 Wall Street Journal/College Pulse Rankings, the University of Southern California is ranked 22nd among over 400 public and private U.S. universities. USC is also ranked in the top five among all California public and private institutions. The rankings consider student experience, salary impact and social mobility.
Student Data (2023-2024 academic year)
21,000
Undergraduates
26,000
Graduate and professional
(Student data is rounded to the nearest 500.)
Faculty and Staff (2023-24 academic year)
4,767
Faculty (full-time)
18,123
Staff
8,654
Student workers (does not include teaching/research assistants)
Freshman Class Data (Fall 2023)
USC received 80,808 applications for academic year 2023-2024. The total number of admitted students was 8,094, with 3,633 of the admitted students matriculating. The middle 50-percent average GPA (unweighted) was 3.79-4.00. Over 25% of the incoming class are first-generation college students.
Ten percent of the 80,808 freshman applicants were admitted.
Of the 8,094 admitted students, 3,633 matriculated.
Twenty-five percent of the class were first in their family to attend college.
Student Demographics – All (Fall 2023)
| Asian | 19.9% |
| Black/African American | 6.1% |
| Hispanic | 15.9% |
| White/Caucasian | 23.3% |
| International | 27.1% |
| Other | 7.8% |
International Students – All (Fall 2023)
| China | 6,035 |
| India | 2,682 |
| South Korea | 518 |
| Taiwan | 448 |
| Canada | 382 |
| Iran | 151 |
| Indonesia | 148 |
| Saudi Arabia | 129 |
| Hong Kong | 87 |
| Mexico | 79 |
| All other countries | 2,094 |
| Total | 12,753 |
Student Retention Rate (Fall 2023)
| Fall 2022 (% enrolled Fall 2023) | 96% |
| Fall 2021 (% enrolled Fall 2022) | 97% |
| Fall 2020 (% enrolled Fall 2021) | 96% |
| Fall 2019 (% enrolled Fall 2020) | 91% |
| Fall 2018 (% enrolled Fall 2019) | 96% |
*USC’s retention rate is based on full-time, first-time freshmen.
Degrees Awarded (2023)
| Bachelor’s degrees | 5,440 |
| Advanced degrees | 14,105 |
Six-Year Graduation Rate (Student Right-to-Know*)
| 2023 (Fall 2017 freshman class) | 92% |
| 2022 (Fall 2016 freshman class) | 92% |
| 2021 (Fall 2015 freshman class) | 92% |
| 2020 (Fall 2014 freshman class) | 92% |
| 2019 (Fall 2013 freshman class) | 91% |
| 2018 (Fall 2012 freshman class) | 92% |
*Student Right-to-Know refers to a federally mandated disclosure of a college’s graduation rate. Its intent is to provide prospective students and their parents with a statistic of comparable effectiveness that can be used in determining college choice. USC’s current graduation rate is based on full-time, first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates who entered the university in the fall semester and graduated within six years of attendance (150% of the normal completion time). Graduation rates do not include students who left school to serve in the armed forces or on official church missions or with a foreign aid service of the federal government, or students who died or were totally and permanently disabled.
Common Data Set
The Common Data Set (CDS) comprises standard data items and definitions established by data providers in higher education and publishing to improve the quality, comparability and accuracy of institutional information. View USC’s Common Data Set.
IPEDS Data
IPEDS is the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. It is a system of interrelated surveys conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. IPEDS gathers information from every college, university, and technical and vocational institution that participates in the federal student financial aid programs. View USC’s IPEDS Data.
College Navigator
The College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to assist students, parents, high school counselors, and others get information about over 7,000 colleges and universities across the United States and other areas. View USC’s College Navigator Profile.
Undergraduate Tuition
$66,640 (2023-24 undergraduate estimate of costs)
Financial Aid Awarded
USC is committed to honoring the academic potential of all students, regardless of background or financial means.Over $773.4 million was awarded in the fiscal year 2021-2022 (all sources). The university is need-blind in making its admission decisions and works with families toward meeting a student’s financial needs if they meet all eligibility requirements.
Financial Aid Awarded
$464.3 million
Financial aid from all university sources
$814 million
Total financial aid disbursed in 2022-23
$773.4 million
Amount of financial aid disbursed from all sources for 2021-22 (including work-study and loans)
Community Partnerships
The University of Southern California has been a proud and active member of its community since 1880. USC believes its strength as a great university depends on its ability to be a good neighbor. USC is dedicated to supporting healthy, vibrant and engaged communities around its University Park and Health Sciences campuses.
$35 million
USC invests $35 million annually to support community initiatives, serving 40,000 community members.
31
Total number of USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative partners across both USC campuses
15
Total number of schools in the USC Family of Schools system
Sponsored Research
The University of Southern California attracted $955.6 millionin sponsored research (2020-21 fiscal year) to fund studies in biotech, public health, biomedical engineering, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease, among others.
Endowment (as of June 30, 2022)
$7.3 billion
University Budget (2023-24 fiscal year)
$7.4 billion
