University of Southern California
Tuition, net price, acceptance rate, SAT/ACT scores, graduation rate, and graduate salary · Los Angeles, California
Net price / year
$32,740
after grants & scholarships
higher than 85% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges
Acceptance rate
10%
Graduation rate
92%
within 150% of normal time
higher than 97% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges
Median earnings
$95,739
4 years after graduating
higher than 95% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges
University of Southern California at a glance
- What is the tuition at University of Southern California?
- Undergraduate tuition and fees are $72,097 for the 2024-25 academic year.
- What is the cost of attendance at University of Southern California?
- The average cost of attendance is $90,300 a year before financial aid (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses.
- What is the net price at University of Southern California?
- The average net price is $32,740 a year after grants and scholarships, for students receiving federal aid (2023-24).
- What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern California?
- About 10% of applicants were admitted (fall 2024).
- What SAT and ACT scores are typical at University of Southern California?
- The middle 50% of admitted students who submitted scores had an SAT total of about 1450–1550 and an ACT composite of 32–35 (fall 2024). Test policy reported: Considered if submitted, but not required.
- What is the graduation rate at University of Southern California?
- 92% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time, or 6 years (entering classes through fall 2018).
- How much do graduates of University of Southern California earn?
- The median graduate earns $95,739 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled (2024 dollars).
Key takeaways
- Graduates earn a median $95,739 four years after finishing, more than 95% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
- 92% of students graduate on time or within 150% of normal time, higher than 97% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
- Only 10% of applicants are admitted, which makes this a highly selective school.
- The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.2 years of work (not counting income forgone while studying).
- At $32,740 a year, the average net price is higher than 85% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
Tuition and cost of attendance at University of Southern California
Average net price
$32,740 per year
Cost of attendance minus average grants and scholarships, for first-time full-time students receiving federal aid.
Estimate your own price with the University of Southern California net price calculator ↗
Estimated total net cost
$130,960
Net price × 4 years, at today's prices and assuming on-time completion. Your actual cost depends on your aid.
Net price by family income
Average yearly net price for students receiving federal aid.
- $0–30k $13,516
- $30–48k $14,394
- $48–75k $19,539
- $75–110k $24,976
- $110k+ $56,116
Where the sticker price goes· Cost of attendance $90,300
- Tuition & fees$72,097
- Books & supplies$1,200
- Room & board$19,931
- Other expenses$2,006
- Tuition & fees (in-state)
- $72,097
- Tuition & fees (out-of-state)
- $72,097
University of Southern California acceptance rate and SAT/ACT scores
Acceptance rate
Share of applicants admitted.
Test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required
Graduation rate and salary after graduating from University of Southern California
Graduation rate
92%
First-time, full-time students finishing within 150% of normal time.
Retention rate
96%
Full-time first-years who return the next fall.
Typical monthly payment
$191
On a standard 10-year federal plan.
Years of earnings premium to cover cost
2.2 years
Net cost ÷ (graduate earnings − high-school graduate earnings). Excludes income forgone while studying and assumes today's earnings. A rough guide, not a prediction.
Earnings vs debt
Of graduates working and not enrolled, in 2024 dollars.
- Debt-to-earnings
- 0.2×Median debt divided by median earnings 4 years after graduating.
- Share of pay going to loans
- 2.4%
- 3-year loan default rate
- 0%
Outcomes by student group
The Scorecard reports some outcomes separately for groups of students. A group is left out when it is too small to report. These are school-level figures and say nothing about any individual student.
Completion within 150% of normal time, by group
Share of students who entered in 2018 and completed within 150% of normal time (six years at a four-year college, three at a two-year college).
All students, same entering cohort: 92%
Group rates and the all-student rate come from the same 2018 entering cohort, so they can be compared directly. Groups at small colleges can rest on very few students. Data period: Entering cohort 2018 (IPEDS).
Earnings ten years after entry
All students who entered this college, whether or not they graduated, in 2022 dollars, ten years after entry.
Typical range: middle half of students
25th percentile $58,692 · median $92,498 · 75th percentile $141,338
Median by family income
Median by sex
This is not the same as the graduates' earnings shown above. It covers everyone who entered, including students who left without a degree, ten years after entry and in 2022 dollars. The graduates' figure covers only completers, four years after finishing, in 2024 dollars. Do not compare the two directly.
Data period: Students who entered in academic years 2009-10 and 2010-11 (pooled), earnings measured in 2020 and 2021, 2022 dollars (Treasury).
Median federal student debt, by group
Median federal loan debt of students who borrowed, when they left school, by group.
By Pell Grant status
By first-generation status
By family income
By gender
Data period: Loans in fiscal years 2020 and 2021 (pooled, NSLDS).
How borrowers are doing
One year after leaving school and entering repayment, here is where the 4,326 federal-loan borrowers from this college stood. It covers borrowers only, not students who did not take federal loans.
Repayment status one year after entering repayment
- Paid in full 19%
- Making progress 17%
- Not making progress 9%
- Delinquent 1%
- Default 0%
- Forbearance 45%
- Deferment 9%
- Discharged 0%
What the terms mean
- Paid in full:
- The borrower has paid off the loans completely.
- Making progress:
- Payments are reducing the loan balance, not just covering interest.
- Not making progress:
- The borrower is paying, but not enough to shrink the balance.
- Delinquent:
- Payments are late but the loan is not yet in default.
- Default:
- The borrower has missed payments for so long that the loan is officially in default.
- Forbearance:
- Payments are temporarily paused or reduced, and interest may keep adding up.
- Deferment:
- Payments are on hold for an approved reason, such as returning to school.
- Discharged:
- The loan was cancelled, for example because of a disability or a school closure.
4,326 borrowers · Data period: Borrowers who entered repayment in the AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 cohorts (pooled, NSLDS).
Programs and majors at University of Southern California ranked by earnings
| Program | Earnings, 4 yrs after | Earnings over time | Compared with the U.S. median for this field | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 142 | $192,897 | 1 yr$137,2844 yrs$192,8975 yrs$180,906 | U.S. median $107,009 U.S. middle half $74.8K–$152K · Above the U.S. median | $19,625 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 24 Small sample | $166,369 | 4 yrs$166,3695 yrs$161,292 | U.S. median $109,015 U.S. middle half $86.3K–$145.2K · Above the U.S. median | $6,625 |
| Real Estate Bachelor's · Graduates: 31 | $143,977 | 1 yr$98,7634 yrs$143,9775 yrs$145,650 | U.S. median $84,821 U.S. middle half $55.6K–$120.7K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 49 | $131,532 | 1 yr$89,6844 yrs$131,5325 yrs$123,215 | U.S. median $100,647 U.S. middle half $84.6K–$122.4K · Above the U.S. median | $18,497 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 34 | $125,514 | 1 yr$78,9804 yrs$125,5145 yrs$113,915 | U.S. median $98,207 U.S. middle half $81.6K–$115.9K · Above the U.S. median | $20,030 |
| Accounting and Related Services Bachelor's · Graduates: 159 | $121,101 | 1 yr$73,9034 yrs$121,1015 yrs$107,531 | U.S. median $76,194 U.S. middle half $56.2K–$97.2K · Above the U.S. median | $16,491 |
| Computer Software and Media Applications Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $115,839 | 1 yr$103,0714 yrs$115,8395 yrs$165,219 | U.S. median $58,894 U.S. middle half $35.5K–$88.2K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 42 | $112,150 | 1 yr$87,8074 yrs$112,1505 yrs$137,590 | U.S. median $98,442 U.S. middle half $81.2K–$121.7K · Above the U.S. median | $17,704 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations Bachelor's · Graduates: 639 | $109,128 | 1 yr$71,6684 yrs$109,1285 yrs$104,833 | U.S. median $68,257 U.S. middle half $47.6K–$93.6K · Above the U.S. median | $15,750 |
| Real Estate Development Bachelor's · Graduates: 51 | $107,292 | 1 yr$49,3534 yrs$107,292 | — | $17,375 |
Show all 53 programs
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 35 | $106,308 | 1 yr$85,2624 yrs$106,3085 yrs$116,779 | U.S. median $86,517 U.S. middle half $73.9K–$101.2K · Above the U.S. median | $8,125 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning Bachelor's · Graduates: 23 Small sample | $106,094 | 4 yrs$106,0945 yrs$91,200 | U.S. median $66,874 U.S. middle half $50.1K–$86.4K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering Bachelor's · Graduates: 50 | $105,415 | 1 yr$80,5084 yrs$105,4155 yrs$112,503 | U.S. median $93,451 U.S. middle half $74.1K–$113.9K · Above the U.S. median | $13,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 78 | $104,649 | 1 yr$83,3564 yrs$104,6495 yrs$107,591 | U.S. median $92,135 U.S. middle half $77.7K–$109.1K · Above the U.S. median | $14,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 63 | $101,094 | 1 yr$71,6224 yrs$101,0945 yrs$94,658 | U.S. median $91,532 U.S. middle half $63.4K–$127.3K · Above the U.S. median | $12,251 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $100,646 | 1 yr$68,2344 yrs$100,6465 yrs$106,401 | U.S. median $98,158 U.S. middle half $80.3K–$118K · Above the U.S. median | $13,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 22 Small sample | $96,120 | 1 yr$73,2344 yrs$96,120 | U.S. median $89,619 U.S. middle half $71K–$110.2K · Above the U.S. median | $19,250 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 140 | $94,435 | 1 yr$57,0604 yrs$94,4355 yrs$98,555 | U.S. median $82,686 U.S. middle half $58.2K–$116.3K · Above the U.S. median | $13,850 |
| Cognitive Science Bachelor's · Graduates: 27 Small sample | $93,440 | 1 yr$34,2954 yrs$93,440 | U.S. median $81,496 U.S. middle half $53.3K–$130.4K · Above the U.S. median | $18,250 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Bachelor's · Graduates: 42 | $91,726 | 1 yr$69,4794 yrs$91,7265 yrs$81,034 | U.S. median $68,061 U.S. middle half $51.2K–$83.4K · Above the U.S. median | $30,556 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 36 | $89,522 | 1 yr$36,3004 yrs$89,5225 yrs$81,522 | U.S. median $58,808 U.S. middle half $42K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $15,000 |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $89,203 | 1 yr$38,0634 yrs$89,2035 yrs$78,242 | U.S. median $62,451 U.S. middle half $40.7K–$88.6K · Above the U.S. median | $14,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 23 Small sample | $89,022 | 1 yr$64,8464 yrs$89,0225 yrs$79,947 | U.S. median $51,490 U.S. middle half $33K–$70.6K · Above the U.S. median | $18,000 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Bachelor's · Graduates: 83 | $87,946 | 1 yr$50,0414 yrs$87,9465 yrs$70,555 | U.S. median $63,560 U.S. middle half $45.9K–$83.7K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 156 | $84,866 | 1 yr$52,2624 yrs$84,8665 yrs$87,675 | U.S. median $66,596 U.S. middle half $46K–$87.8K · Above the U.S. median | $13,247 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 53 | $79,940 | 1 yr$36,8764 yrs$79,9405 yrs$70,904 | U.S. median $50,680 U.S. middle half $36.3K–$66.7K · Above the U.S. median | $12,138 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 57 | $79,776 | 1 yr$44,6514 yrs$79,7765 yrs$73,113 | U.S. median $56,278 U.S. middle half $40.6K–$73.9K · Above the U.S. median | $15,000 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology Bachelor's · Graduates: 54 | $78,741 | 1 yr$47,8744 yrs$78,741 | U.S. median $70,074 U.S. middle half $55.5K–$86.9K · Above the U.S. median | $30,500 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $78,731 | 4 yrs$78,7315 yrs$80,254 | U.S. median $55,012 U.S. middle half $39.4K–$72.8K · Above the U.S. median | $9,125 |
| Communication and Media Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 198 | $75,864 | 1 yr$47,6514 yrs$75,8645 yrs$77,431 | U.S. median $56,359 U.S. middle half $39.6K–$76.1K · Above the U.S. median | $15,875 |
| Political Science and Government Bachelor's · Graduates: 122 | $75,090 | 1 yr$38,0634 yrs$75,0905 yrs$78,005 | U.S. median $63,293 U.S. middle half $44.8K–$85.4K · Above the U.S. median | $12,000 |
| Public Policy Analysis Bachelor's · Graduates: 19 Small sample | $74,511 | 1 yr$52,4034 yrs$74,511 | U.S. median $73,721 U.S. middle half $53.3K–$104.1K · Above the U.S. median | $17,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 59 | $72,428 | 1 yr$50,1614 yrs$72,4285 yrs$61,391 | U.S. median $41,367 U.S. middle half $26.2K–$56.7K · Above the U.S. median | $19,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 91 | $70,555 | 1 yr$35,5804 yrs$70,5555 yrs$67,128 | U.S. median $52,657 U.S. middle half $37.7K–$69.5K · Above the U.S. median | $9,625 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 126 | $70,461 | 1 yr$34,1394 yrs$70,4615 yrs$67,060 | U.S. median $50,706 U.S. middle half $35.7K–$67.2K · Above the U.S. median | $14,000 |
| Human Biology Bachelor's · Graduates: 109 | $69,751 | 1 yr$23,4054 yrs$69,7515 yrs$80,692 | U.S. median $64,732 U.S. middle half $42.2K–$98.2K · Above the U.S. median | $14,481 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $69,377 | — | U.S. median $69,562 U.S. middle half $49.1K–$97.4K · Below the U.S. median | $2,750 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $64,421 | — | U.S. median $51,642 U.S. middle half $32.1K–$74.4K · Above the U.S. median | — |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management Bachelor's · Graduates: 48 | $63,353 | 1 yr$26,9754 yrs$63,3535 yrs$42,388 | U.S. median $48,240 U.S. middle half $31.6K–$64.9K · Above the U.S. median | $20,353 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 61 | $63,125 | 1 yr$20,2104 yrs$63,1255 yrs$77,275 | U.S. median $57,214 U.S. middle half $38.9K–$79.2K · Above the U.S. median | $4,618 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other Bachelor's · Graduates: 48 | $59,455 | 4 yrs$59,4555 yrs$59,948 | U.S. median $55,693 U.S. middle half $40.3K–$72.2K · Above the U.S. median | $18,500 |
| English Language and Literature, General Bachelor's · Graduates: 26 Small sample | $59,345 | 4 yrs$59,3455 yrs$57,930 | U.S. median $48,590 U.S. middle half $33.7K–$63.8K · Above the U.S. median | $3,500 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $59,088 | 4 yrs$59,0885 yrs$66,550 | U.S. median $55,000 U.S. middle half $38.4K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median | $20,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts Bachelor's · Graduates: 182 | $58,623 | 1 yr$34,1874 yrs$58,6235 yrs$53,923 | U.S. median $43,765 U.S. middle half $26K–$63.4K · Above the U.S. median | $19,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Bachelor's · Graduates: 46 | $58,462 | 4 yrs$58,4625 yrs$64,040 | U.S. median $53,072 U.S. middle half $35.8K–$73.3K · Above the U.S. median | $3,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Bachelor's · Graduates: 41 | $57,246 | 1 yr$34,4684 yrs$57,2465 yrs$88,746 | U.S. median $65,466 U.S. middle half $44.9K–$88.4K · Below the U.S. median | $3,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 18 Small sample | $55,208 | 4 yrs$55,2085 yrs$54,012 | U.S. median $51,710 U.S. middle half $34.9K–$68.1K · Above the U.S. median | $17,750 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 16 Small sample | $54,966 | — | U.S. median $65,120 U.S. middle half $48.3K–$84K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 48 | $51,831 | 1 yr$38,3804 yrs$51,8315 yrs$95,023 | U.S. median $54,455 U.S. middle half $34.9K–$78K · Below the U.S. median | $7,500 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 27 Small sample | $42,038 | 1 yr$33,7894 yrs$42,0385 yrs$59,488 | U.S. median $53,366 U.S. middle half $36.6K–$72.3K · Below the U.S. median | — |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Bachelor's · Graduates: 35 | $41,637 | 1 yr$26,6364 yrs$41,6375 yrs$66,177 | U.S. median $48,471 U.S. middle half $32.2K–$67.3K · Below the U.S. median | $19,131 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Bachelor's · Graduates: 174 | $40,415 | 1 yr$21,4734 yrs$40,4155 yrs$30,649 | U.S. median $39,775 U.S. middle half $25.5K–$55.4K · Above the U.S. median | $12,000 |
| Bachelor's · Graduates: 68 | $34,124 | 1 yr$12,9474 yrs$34,1245 yrs$24,763 | U.S. median $42,892 U.S. middle half $26K–$58.8K · Below the U.S. median | $19,839 |
Earnings are for graduates working and not enrolled, 4 years after completing, in 2024 dollars.
The U.S. median and middle half (25th to 75th percentile) are for graduates of the same field and credential level at all colleges, 4 years after completing.
The 1-year, 4-year and 5-year figures come from different graduating cohorts and dollar years (1-year: AY2018-19 and AY2019-20 graduates, 2022 dollars; 4-year: AY2017-18 and AY2018-19 graduates, 2024 dollars; 5-year: AY2014-15 and AY2015-16 graduates, 2022 dollars), so read them as three separate measures, not a single career path.
Small samples are noisy: the Scorecard adds privacy noise to program figures and some rows are based on only a handful of graduates, so rows marked “small sample” can move a lot from year to year.
What students study
The largest fields among the degrees and certificates this college awarded, grouped by two-digit CIP code (the federal Classification of Instructional Programs). Fields under 1% are left out.
Share of degrees and certificates awarded, by field
A large share means many awards, not necessarily many students or higher earnings. Data period: Awards in academic year 2024-25 (IPEDS).
Who attends
A snapshot of the undergraduate student body as this college reported it to the federal government. Shares are shown as published; they can differ slightly from 100% because of rounding.
Race and ethnicity
- White 25.5%
- Black or African American 7.1%
- Hispanic or Latino 20%
- Asian 23.3%
- American Indian or Alaska Native 0.2%
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander 0.2%
- Two or more races 6.4%
- U.S. nonresident 13.3%
- Race and ethnicity unknown 4%
Federal reporting categories. Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents are counted as nonresident, and students who did not report are counted as unknown. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Gender
- Men 47.8%
- Women 52.2%
Federal reporting uses two categories. Data period: Fall 2024 (IPEDS).
Students aged 25 or older
61%
of undergraduates
Many adult students work or have families while enrolled. Data period: Fall 2023 (IPEDS).
Students and campus
- Undergraduate enrollment
- 20,443
- Part-time students
- 2%
- Receive Pell Grants
- 22%
- Receive federal loans
- 24%
- Students per faculty member
- 9 : 1
- Setting
- City
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Where it ranks
This college appears in the top 50 of these TuitionScope rankings.
Guides worth reading
Plain-language explainers that help you read the numbers on this page.
More in California
In California
National rankings
Frequently asked questions
How much is tuition at University of Southern California?
For the 2024-25 academic year, University of Southern California reported undergraduate tuition and fees of $72,097. This is the published price before grants and scholarships; what you pay depends on your aid.
What is the cost of attendance and net price at University of Southern California?
The average cost of attendance at University of Southern California is $90,300 a year (2023-24), counting tuition, books, housing and other living expenses. After grants and scholarships, the average net price is $32,740 a year. That is higher than 85% of private nonprofit 4-year colleges.
How much financial aid do students at University of Southern California get?
22% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. 24% receive federal loans. The average net price runs from $13,516 a year for families earning under $30,000 to $56,116 for families earning over $110,000 (2023-24).
What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern California?
University of Southern California admitted about 10% of applicants in fall 2024. That makes admission highly selective.
What SAT and ACT scores do you need for University of Southern California?
Among admitted students who submitted scores, the middle 50% had an SAT total of about 1450–1550 and an ACT composite of 32–35 (fall 2024). That is a guide, not a cutoff. Reported test policy: Considered if submitted, but not required.
What are the graduation rate and retention rate at University of Southern California?
92% of first-time, full-time students at University of Southern California finish within 150% of normal time. 96% of full-time first-years return the next fall.
How much do University of Southern California graduates earn after graduation?
The median graduate earns $95,739 four years after finishing, among graduates working and not enrolled in further study (2024 dollars). One year after finishing, the median is $63,275.
Is University of Southern California worth it?
There is no single answer: it depends on your major, your aid and whether you finish. For University of Southern California, the data shows this. The earnings premium over a typical high-school graduate would cover the estimated net cost in about 2.2 years of work. Graduates who borrowed have a median debt of $18,000, about 0.2 times their median earnings four years after finishing. 92% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time. These are averages, not predictions, and they do not count income forgone while studying.
Sources and data periods
All figures come from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard (June 2026 release). Periods differ by measure:
- Average net price: AcadYr 2023-24, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Acceptance rate: Fall 2024, reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25
- Graduation rate: Fall 2018 or AcadYr 2018-19 cohort (differs by institutional calendar), reported in IPEDS DCY2024-25 pooled with previous years (# of total pooled years found in POOLYRS)
- Median earnings: Treasury AY2017-18, AY2018-19 pooled cohort measured in CY2022, CY2023, inflation adjusted to 2024 dollars
- Median graduate debt: NSLDS FY2020, FY2021 pooled cohorts
Some figures are blank because the school did not report them or the group was too small to publish. How we calculate things