USC Admission Requirements
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USC Admission Overview
USC admission requirements are extremely competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in California. Last year USC admitted 9.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.83 GPA (A-) and SAT 1450-1550 / ACT 32-35. USC is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
USC is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.
USC Acceptance Rate
Admission Rate & Difficulty
Acceptance rate Share of applicants offered admission last year.
Admission Standards Measure of enrolled testers' SAT/ACT scores vs. other colleges.
Applicant Competition Measure of this school's acceptance rate vs. other colleges. A low acceptance rate indicates high competition.
Extreme
Admission difficulty for University of Southern California
Acceptance Rate
The USC acceptance rate is 9.8%. Last year, only 8,050 of 82,027 applicants were admitted. That is the 7th lowest acceptance rate in California and the 33rd lowest in the nation.
Admission Selectivity
How hard is it to get into USC and can you get accepted?
USC is an extremely competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in ten applicants. You have a very low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.
University of Southern California typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.83. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 43% of those admitted chose to enroll.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
USC GPA
GPA of enrolled freshmen
Avg. High School GPA The average high school GPA for incoming freshmen on a 4.0 scale.
3.83Typical High School Grades Letter grade on a 4.0 scale for last year's average, not a cutoff.
A-Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.83
Average GPA
Enrolled freshmen at USC typically have around a 3.83 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Matching last year's 3.83 average does not by itself determine admission. USC is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.
26% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #15 in California for highest average GPA.
See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.
Competitiveness by GPA Ranges
Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.
GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024
USC Test Policy
Test Submission Requirements
The University of Southern California is test-optional for first-year applicants to the 2027-28 academic year. SAT or ACT scores are not required, and applicants who omit scores are not disadvantaged in admission or merit scholarship review. Students who choose to submit testing must send official SAT or ACT reports from the testing agency; self-reported scores are not accepted. USC records the highest section scores across sittings. Homeschooled applicants follow the same test-optional rule.
Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admission.usc.edu/prospective-students/how-to-apply/first-year-students/
USC SAT Scores
SAT scores of enrolled freshmen
SAT Range The middle 50% of enrolled testers who sent SAT. The maximum score is 1600.
1450-1550Freshmen who sent SAT Share of enrolled freshmen who submitted SAT scores. This is enrolled testers, not all applicants.
34%25th Percentile Scores
- Reading 710
- Math 740
- Composite 1450
75th Percentile Scores
- Reading 760
- Math 790
- Composite 1550
Average SAT
Enrolled testers at USC typically score around a 1500 SAT (middle 50% 1450–1550) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 99th percentile nationally. USC ranks #6 in the state of California and #38 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.
SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1450 to 1550
Matching last year's 1450–1550 range does not by itself determine admission.
SAT policy
USC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.
View other colleges which accept students in the 1500 SAT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
USC ACT Scores
ACT scores among enrolled freshmen
ACT Range Mid-50 ACT composite among enrolled testers who sent ACT. The scale tops out at 36.
32-35Freshmen reporting ACT Percent of enrolled freshmen who reported ACT. Counts enrolled testers, not the full applicant pool.
12%25th Percentile Scores
- English 33
- Math 29
- Composite 32
75th Percentile Scores
- English 35
- Math 35
- Composite 35
Average ACT
Incoming testers at USC typically have around a 33 ACT (mid-50 32–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 98th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. USC places #6 among colleges in California and #39 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.
ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 32 to 35
Landing in last year's 32–35 band does not, on its own, decide admission.
ACT policy
You may apply to USC without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.
See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 33.0 ACT score range.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers
This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
High School Class Rank
Class Rank of Admitted Students
80% of University of Southern California freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.
Data Source, Peterson's Data
Estimate How You Compare
See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.
Open the USC chances calculatorApplying
Admission Statistics
Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed in the table below.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Requirements
What are the requirements for admission to University of Southern California and what student information is used for admission decisions?
Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Application Fee
The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Southern California is $85.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Credits Accepted
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Admission summary
USC is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 9.8% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.83 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1450-1550); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.
Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025
Other Colleges to Apply To
Students applying to University of Southern California often consider these colleges
Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=123961.
GPA calculator: University of Southern California GPA calculator.
Last updated: August 2026