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The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1880 and is the oldest private research university in the state. USC has a large student population, with a total enrolment of around 45,500 to 49,000 students. This includes around 20,000 to 21,000 undergraduate students and 26,000 to 28,500 postgraduates. The university has a low acceptance rate of between 9% and 12%, making it highly selective.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Total student population | 45,500-49,000 |
Undergraduate students | 20,000-21,000 |
Graduate students | 26,000-28,500 |
International students | 12,300-12,374 |
Indian students | 2,400-2,682 |
Acceptance rate | 9%-12% |
Total number of applicants | 70,000-82,027 |
Admitted students | 8,050 |
Matriculated students | 3,489 |
Average GPA | 3.77-4.00 |
First-generation college students | 22% |
Student-faculty ratio | 9:1 |
What You'll Learn
Undergraduate and postgraduate student numbers
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1880 and is the oldest private research university in California. The university has two campuses: the University Park campus and the Health Sciences campus.
The University of Southern California has a large student body, with a total enrollment of around 45,500 to 49,000 students. The student population is nearly evenly split between undergraduate and postgraduate students. There are approximately 20,000 to 21,000 undergraduate students and 26,000 to 28,500 postgraduate students. The university attracts students from all over the United States and the world, with students from all fifty states and more than 100 countries.
The University of Southern California has a low acceptance rate, making it highly selective and competitive. For the fall 2024 semester, there were over 80,000 applicants for freshman admission, of which only about 8,000 were admitted, resulting in an acceptance rate of around 10%. The university received a total of 82,027 applications for the 2024-2025 academic year.
The University of Southern California offers a wide range of academic programs and is known for its degree programs in various fields, including film, law, music, engineering, and business. The university comprises the College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, the Graduate School, and 19 to 22 professional schools, depending on the source. Undergraduate students can choose from around 75 fields of study, while graduate and professional students have approximately 125 disciplines to select from.
The University of Southern California's large student population fosters a diverse and vibrant community. The student-faculty ratio is 9:1, which is impressive for a large institution and allows for personalized guidance and interactions with professors. The university also has a strong presence in Los Angeles, providing students with access to numerous opportunities for internships, research, and mentorship.
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Student demographics
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1880 and is the oldest private research university in California. The university has a total enrollment of around 47,000 students, including approximately 20,000 undergraduates and 27,500 graduate and professional students.
Gender Breakdown
The student body is made up of approximately 53% females and 47% males. The gender distribution varies slightly between undergraduate and graduate students. Among undergraduates, there are 9,916 male and 10,783 female students, while among graduate students, there are 12,658 male and 15,588 female students.
Racial/Ethnic Breakdown
The racial and ethnic breakdown of the student population is as follows:
- 82 American Indian/Native American
- 12,147 White
- 2,882 Black/African American
- 9,495 Asian
- 7,523 Hispanic
- 108 Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
- 1,616 students with other races
Geographic Diversity
USC has a high level of geographic diversity, with students coming from all 50 US states and over 115 countries. In particular, 49.85% of students come from out of state, and 15.19% are international students. The most represented geographic areas outside the US include China, India, the UK, Singapore, and South Korea.
Age Diversity
The University of Southern California has a high level of age diversity, with 35.98% of students falling into the traditional college age category of 18-21 years. This is compared to a national average of 60%.
First-Generation Students
Over 22% of the incoming class of 2024-2025 are first-generation college students, meaning they are the first in their family to pursue a college education.
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Acceptance rates
The University of Southern California (USC) is a highly selective and prestigious private research university. It is one of the world's leading institutions of its kind and is characterised by its academic excellence, pioneering research opportunities, and a diverse and inclusive student body.
The acceptance rate for the 2024-2025 academic year was 9.8% for freshman applicants, with 8,050 admitted students out of 82,027 applications. The middle 50% average GPA (unweighted) was 3.77-4.00. The university is need-blind in making its admission decisions and works with families to meet a student's financial needs if they meet all eligibility requirements.
The acceptance rate for the Fall 2024 semester was just 10% according to the official statistics. There were over 80,000 first-year applicants, with 8,050 admitted students. The average unweighted GPA for the entering freshman class was 3.77-4.00.
The University of Southern California is considered extremely competitive for admissions. The USC acceptance rate is 12% according to Niche. The university reviews applicants' performance in school, any test scores that have been submitted, writing skills, and personal qualities like leadership and community involvement.
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Tuition fees
The University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1880 and is the oldest private research university in California. It has an enrollment of more than 47,000 students, with an acceptance rate of just 10%.
The USC estimated Cost of Attendance is based on average amounts for necessary expenses and is used to determine a student's financial aid eligibility. It includes tuition, fees, books, supplies, housing, meals, and other living expenses for two semesters of study. For the 2024-25 academic year, the estimated cost of attendance for a full-time undergraduate student living in university housing was $71,647. The total cost, including food and housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses, was $91,084.
The actual costs of attendance may differ based on a student's major and individual circumstances. For example, estimated budgets for some majors may be higher due to special laboratory or studio supply fees or other additional costs incurred by all students in the program.
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Notable alumni
The University of Southern California has produced many notable alumni across a variety of fields, including astronauts, actors, musicians, athletes, politicians, and businesspeople. Here is a list of some of the most notable alumni:
Astronauts and Aviators
Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, earned a master's degree in aerospace engineering from USC.
Actors and Actresses
- Will Ferrell, an iconic figure in comedy, attended USC and studied journalism with a plan to work as a sports reporter.
- Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker studied opera at USC.
- America Ferrera, known for her role in Ugly Betty, studied international relations at USC.
- John Wayne, a famous Western movie star, attended USC on a football scholarship before losing it due to an injury.
- Regina King, an Academy Award-winning actress, studied communications at USC.
- Tom Selleck, an actor and producer known for his role in Magnum, P.I., attended USC on a basketball scholarship.
Musicians
- Macy Gray, a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, studied scriptwriting at USC and began her music career when she stepped in for a friend at a recording session.
- Robert Zemeckis, a pioneering filmmaker, attended the USC film school and worked as an assistant to director Francis Ford Coppola.
- George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, attended the USC School of Cinematic Arts and made several award-winning short films as a student.
Athletes
- O.J. Simpson, a former NFL running back and actor, attended USC and won the prestigious Heisman Trophy during his time there.
- Lisa Leslie, a WNBA all-star and Olympic gold medallist, played basketball at USC and led the team to four NCAA tournament appearances.
- Reggie Bush, a former NFL running back, played for the USC Trojans football team for three years and was nicknamed "The President" by his teammates.
Politicians and Government Officials
- Shinzō Abe, the former prime minister of Japan, attended USC as a visiting student.
- Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the first democratically elected prime minister and president of Pakistan, attended USC from 1947 to 1949.
- George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, attended USC as a transfer student.
- Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, studied political science and aeronautical engineering at USC but left before graduating to serve in the U.S. Air Force during World War II.
Businesspeople
- George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars and Indiana Jones, founded Lucasfilm and Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a company that set new standards for creating visual effects.
- Will Ferrell co-founded the charity "Cancer for College", which provides scholarships to cancer survivors.
- Tom Selleck served on the board of directors for the National Rifle Association and is actively involved in various charities.
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Frequently asked questions
The total student population at USC is around 45,500 to 49,000, with an undergraduate enrollment of about 20,000 to 21,000 and a graduate enrollment of about 26,000 to 28,500.
The acceptance rate at USC is between 9% and 12%.
USC received 82,027 applications for the 2024-2025 academic year.
8,050 students were admitted to USC for the 2024-2025 academic year.
There are approximately 12,300 to 12,374 international students at USC, with the most represented countries outside the U.S. being China, India, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and South Korea.