University of Southern California (USC) Overview: Rankings, Programs, Campus Life & Admissions

The University of Southern California (USC), founded in 1880 in Los Angeles, is a prestigious private research university known for its rich history, academic excellence, and global impact. With over 47,000 students and multiple campuses, USC offers top-ranked programs in cinematic arts, business, law, engineering, and health sciences across 23 schools.

Renowned for its innovation in internet development and interdisciplinary research, USC fosters a vibrant student life with 1,000+ organizations and a deep commitment to diversity and community service. Its athletic legacy includes 137 national championships and a record number of Olympians. With a $5 billion endowment and notable alumni across entertainment, science, business, and sports, USC continues to rank among the world’s leading universities.

University of Southern California (USC) – Programs, Admissions, Rankings & History

The University of Southern California (USC) is a globally renowned private research university located in Los Angeles, California. Founded in 1880, it is the oldest teaching and research university in the western United States and has grown significantly from its initial 53 students and one wooden building to a diverse institution with over 47,000 students (as of Fall 2024, including undergraduates and graduates) and multiple campuses.

History and Founding

USC was founded through the efforts of Judge Robert M. Widney, with significant land and financial donations from Protestant nurseryman Ozro Childs, Irish Catholic former governor John Gately Downey, and German Jewish banker Isaias W. Hellman. While initially affiliated with the Methodist Church, USC severed formal ties in 1952. The university has always maintained a policy of non-discrimination, mandating from the start that “no student would be denied admission because of race.”

Key historical milestones include the founding of the Gould School of Law (1900), the School of Engineering and School of Pharmacy (1905), the Rossier School of Education (1909), and the School of Architecture (1914). USC also played a significant role in the development of the internet, with its Information Sciences Institute (founded in 1972) becoming one of the earliest nodes on ARPANET and contributing to the development of the Domain Name System.

Campuses and Locations

USC’s main campus is located in south-central Los Angeles. In addition, it has a health sciences campus in northeastern Los Angeles, and several academic centers in Irvine, Sacramento, and Washington, D.C. A marine science center is situated on Santa Catalina Island. The university’s official colors are cardinal and gold, approved in 1896, with the shade of gold being updated in 1958. USC students and athletes are known as the “Trojans,” epitomized by the iconic “Tommy Trojan” shrine on campus.

Academics and Programs

USC is composed of the Graduate School and numerous colleges and schools, offering a vast array of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees across 23 schools and divisions. Some of its most highly regarded programs include:

• Cinematic Arts: A globally recognized program, heavily supported by alumni like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.
• Business: Especially the Marshall School of Business, known for its MBA, MS in Business Analytics, and MS in Engineering Management programs.
• Journalism and Mass Communication: Through the Annenberg School.
• Law: Gould School of Law.
• Engineering: Viterbi School of Engineering, with strong programs in Computer Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, and Civil Engineering.
• Social Work: Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.
• Public Administration: Sol Price School of Public Policy.
• Health Sciences: Including Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy (Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences), Medicine (Keck School of Medicine), Dentistry (Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry), and Gerontology (Leonard Davis School of Gerontology).
• Music: Thornton School of Music.
• Dramatic Arts: USC School of Dramatic Arts.

USC emphasizes interdisciplinary study, encouraging students to combine interests across various fields. The university also offers Pre-College Programs and the USC International Academy for international students to prepare for their studies.

Admissions and Enrollment

USC is highly selective, with an acceptance rate that has become increasingly competitive. For the Class of 2029, the acceptance rate was 10.4%, with 8,684 students admitted out of approximately 83,500 applicants. The acceptance rate has consistently been around 10-13% in recent years.

Admission Statistics (Class of 2029):

• Total Applications Received: ~83,500
• Total Applications Accepted: ~8,700
• Overall Acceptance Rate: 10.4%

Typical Applicant Profile:

• GPA: Competitive applicants typically have a GPA of 3.87 or higher, with many averaging 4.0+.
• SAT Scores: Average SAT: 1450–1550 (minimum target of 1460).
• ACT Scores: Average ACT: 32–35.
• English Language Proficiency (for international students): TOEFL (100+), IELTS (7.0+), or Duolingo (125+).

USC employs a holistic admissions process, considering strong academic credentials, leadership roles, and extracurricular achievements. First-generation students comprise about 20% of fall admitted students, and all 50 U.S. states are represented, with California students making up 39% of fall admissions.

Rankings

USC consistently ranks among the top universities globally and nationally.

• US News & World Report – National Universities: #27 (2025)
• THE (Times Higher Education) University Ranking: #72 (2025)
• QS World University Rankings: #125 (2025), #116 (2024)

Specific program rankings include:

• QS MIM Masters in Business Analytics: #9 (2023)
• QS MIM Masters in Supply Chain Management: #5 (2023)
• QS Accounting & Finance: #46 (2023)
• U.S. News Best Graduate Business Schools: #19 (2023)
• U.S. News Best Graduate Law School: #20 (2023)
• THE Engineering: #95 (2024)

Research and Innovation

As a leading private research university, USC is a hub for innovation and interdisciplinary research. The Office of Research and Innovation (OORI) fosters ethical and rigorous research across numerous centers and institutes. Key research areas and initiatives include:

1. Information Sciences Institute (ISI): A major contributor to internet development.
2. Southern California Earthquake Center: A prominent research center.
3. Institute for Robotics and Intelligent Systems.
4. Center on Public Diplomacy.
5. East Asian Studies Center.
6. Institute for Creative Technologies.
7. Michelson Center for Convergent Bioscience: Focusing on interdisciplinary solutions in bioscience.

USC research often translates into real-world solutions, with recent breakthroughs in areas like quantum research, AI-personalized cancer treatment, early Alzheimer’s detection, and earthquake prediction models.

Campus Life and Student Experience

USC offers a vibrant and dynamic campus life with over 1,000 student organizations, 120+ volunteer events annually, and 3,000+ student events. The campus features historic brick architecture, peaceful lawns, and diverse dining options.

Key aspects of campus life include:

• Student Organizations: Covering academic interests, health and wellness, ethnic/cultural groups, media/publications, and club sports (over 50 active club sports).
• Arts and Culture: Home to the USC Fisher Museum of Art and USC Pacific Asia Museum, along with frequent film screenings, open mic nights, and creative events.
• Community Engagement: Strong emphasis on community service and volunteerism.
• Multicultural Resources: Dedicated centers like Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS), Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs (CBCSA), Latinx/Chicanx Center for Advocacy and Student Affairs (La CASA), LGBTQ+ Student Center (LGBTQ+SC), First Generation Plus Success Center (FG+SC), and Veterans Resource Center (VRC).
• Housing and Dining: Extensive on-campus housing options for both undergraduate and graduate students, aiming to provide a supportive community environment.

The Trojan Marching Band is a highly recognizable musical force, known for its international performances and energetic presence at athletic events. USC also has a strong reputation for attracting top companies for recruitment, leveraging its location in Los Angeles to provide numerous internship and job opportunities in diverse sectors like tech, entertainment, healthcare, and finance.

Athletics

The USC Trojans are an athletic powerhouse, participating in the Big Ten Conference and boasting an impressive record of 137 team national championships, with 113 of these being NCAA national championships. This ranks USC third highest among all universities.

Men’s Athletics: 98 national championships (85 NCAA titles), more than any other university.

Women’s Athletics: 39 national championships (28 NCAA titles), third in the nation.

Olympic Legacy: USC has produced more Olympians than any other U.S. school and played a key role in hosting the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

Notable successes include:

• Baseball: 12 NCAA championships.
• Men’s Outdoor Track & Field: 26 NCAA championships.
• Men’s Tennis: 21 NCAA championships.
• Men’s Water Polo: 10 NCAA championships.
• Women’s Beach Volleyball: 6 NCAA championships (2016, 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024).

The university has a long-standing cross-town rivalry with UCLA in several sports, especially football.

Endowment and Financials

The University of Southern California’s endowment is a significant asset, managed by the USC Investment Office with oversight from the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees. Gifts to the endowment are invested in a diversified portfolio (including global stocks and bonds, private equity, venture capital) with a long-term, active investing philosophy to ensure perpetual support for designated purposes. The annual payout, typically between 4% and 6% of the average market value, supports various university programs. The endowment value is reported to be around USD 5 billion, with scholarships granted amounting to USD 619 million.

Notable Alumni

USC boasts a distinguished list of alumni who have made significant contributions in various fields, including:

• Arts & Entertainment: George Lucas (filmmaker), Forest Whitaker (actor), Will Ferrell (actor), Ron Howard (filmmaker), Tom Selleck (actor), John Wayne (actor), John Ritter (actor), Dave Franco (actor), Regina King (actor/director), John Singleton (filmmaker), LeVar Burton (actor), Miranda Cosgrove (actor), Judd Apatow (producer/director).
• Science & Technology: Neil Armstrong (astronaut).
• Business & Philanthropy: Rick Caruso (businessman), Marc Benioff (co-founder of Salesforce).
• Sports: O.J. Simpson (football player), Cheryl Miller (basketball player), Janet Evans (swimmer).

This comprehensive overview highlights the rich history, academic excellence, vibrant campus life, and strong athletic tradition that define the University of Southern California as a premier institution of higher learning.

FAQs about University of Southern California

What is the University of Southern California (USC) known for?
USC is known for its strong academic programs, especially in cinematic arts, business, law, engineering, and health sciences. It also has a rich history of innovation, top-tier athletics, and a globally recognized alumni network.

When was USC founded?
USC was founded in 1880, making it the oldest private research university in the western United States.

Where is USC located?
USC’s main campus is in Los Angeles, California. It also has additional campuses in northeastern LA, Irvine, Sacramento, Washington D.C., and Catalina Island.

How many students attend USC?
As of Fall 2024, USC has approximately 47,000 students, including both undergraduate and graduate populations.

What is USC’s acceptance rate?
For the Class of 2029, USC had an acceptance rate of 10.4%.

What are USC’s most popular programs?
Some of USC’s top programs include Cinematic Arts, Business (Marshall School), Law (Gould School), Engineering (Viterbi), Journalism (Annenberg), and Health Sciences.

What is the average GPA and test score for USC admissions?
Competitive applicants usually have a GPA of 3.87 or higher, SAT scores between 1450–1550, and ACT scores between 32–35.

Does USC require SAT or ACT scores?
While USC has adopted a test-optional policy in recent years, strong scores can still benefit applicants.

Is USC a member of the Big Ten Conference?
Yes, USC is a member of the Big Ten Conference and has a historically strong athletic program.

How many national championships has USC won?
USC has won 137 team national championships, including 113 NCAA titles.

What is USC’s Olympic legacy?
USC has produced more Olympians, Olympic medalists, and gold medalists than any other U.S. university.

What is USC’s endowment?
USC’s endowment is approximately $5 billion and supports scholarships, research, and other university programs.

What are USC’s school colors and mascot?
USC’s colors are cardinal and gold. The mascot is the Trojan, represented by the iconic “Tommy Trojan” statue.

Is USC affiliated with any religion?
USC was originally affiliated with the Methodist Church but severed formal ties in 1952. It now operates as a secular institution.

Does USC support diversity and inclusion?
Yes, USC has long promoted diversity and inclusion, with dedicated multicultural centers and a non-discrimination policy dating back to its founding.

What kind of research is USC known for?
USC is a leader in interdisciplinary research, with contributions to internet development, AI, bioscience, earthquake prediction, and more.

Does USC offer financial aid?
Yes, USC offers need-based and merit-based financial aid, with over $619 million awarded annually in scholarships and aid.

What is USC’s global ranking?
USC is ranked #27 in U.S. News (2025), #72 in THE (2025), and #125 in QS World University Rankings (2025).

What student life opportunities are available at USC?
USC offers 1,000+ student organizations, arts and cultural events, volunteer programs, and vibrant campus housing.

Are there on-campus housing options?
Yes, USC provides extensive on-campus housing for both undergraduate and graduate students.

Does USC offer international student programs?
Yes, USC provides pre-college and academic prep through the USC International Academy and has a large global student body.

Who are some of USC’s notable alumni?
Famous alumni include George Lucas, Neil Armstrong, Regina King, Marc Benioff, Will Ferrell, and Cheryl Miller.

What is the Trojan Marching Band known for?
The Trojan Marching Band is known for its energetic performances at athletic events and international tours.

How does USC rank in business and law programs?
USC’s Marshall School of Business and Gould School of Law consistently rank in the top 20 nationally.

What opportunities does USC provide for internships and jobs?
USC’s location in LA offers strong connections to tech, entertainment, healthcare, and finance sectors, with top companies recruiting from campus.

Does USC offer interdisciplinary studies?
Yes, USC strongly encourages interdisciplinary study, allowing students to combine majors and explore multiple academic areas.

What kind of arts and cultural resources does USC have?
USC is home to the Fisher Museum of Art, Pacific Asia Museum, film screenings, performances, and student-run arts events.

Is community service a focus at USC?
Yes, USC emphasizes civic engagement, with over 120 volunteer events annually and numerous service organizations.

What are USC’s admission requirements for international students?
International applicants must meet GPA and test score benchmarks and demonstrate English proficiency via TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo.

What support is available for first-generation students?
USC supports first-generation students through the First Generation Plus Success Center and dedicated advising and mentoring.

The University of Southern California (USC) stands as a premier institution blending academic excellence, groundbreaking research, vibrant campus life, and a powerful athletic tradition. With world-renowned programs, a diverse and inclusive community, and deep industry connections in Los Angeles and beyond, USC equips students with the skills, opportunities, and networks to lead and innovate across disciplines. Its legacy, global impact, and commitment to shaping the future make USC a top choice for students from around the world.