What makes USC different
- Business at scale. About 1,350 students a year graduate in business, many from the Marshall School of Business.
- Film and media. The School of Cinematic Arts and LA's entertainment industry shape campus culture.
- The Trojan network. Alumni are known for helping fellow graduates with internships and jobs.
What USC students study
The most common bachelor's degrees (class of 2024): business (about 1,350), computer science (352), human biology (278), communication (235), psychology (223) and economics (178). Source: IPEDS Completions, first majors only.
You may thrive at USC if…
- You're interested in business, film, media or entertainment.
- You want a private university with big-school spirit in a major city.
- A strong alumni network matters to you.
Worth asking about
- What does the net price calculator show for your family, given the $72,097 tuition?
- How easy is it to take classes across schools, such as business and film?
How USC compares with the other Big Ten schools
USC is one of the conference's two private universities and has its highest tuition. See how the 18 Big Ten schools differ.
FAQ
What is USC's acceptance rate? 11.2% for fall 2025: 9,345 of 83,488 first-year applicants were admitted, according to its Common Data Set 2025–26. Source For fall 2024 it was 9.8%.
Is USC in the Big Ten? Yes. USC joined the Big Ten in 2024.
How much does USC cost? Published tuition and fees are $72,097 a year and the total cost of attendance is $90,300, before any aid.
How much is USC tuition per semester? About $36,048 a semester, half the published $72,097 a year, before aid.
Is USC an R1 university? Yes. In the 2025 Carnegie Classifications, the University of Southern California is an R1 university, the group with the highest research spending and doctoral degrees. What R1 means →
How many students go to USC? About 20,400 undergraduates (fall 2024).
Is a big private school in a big city right for you?
Lens's assessments show which kinds of colleges fit you. Start with Lens →