University of Southern California acceptance rate and admissions profile
University of Southern California is a private university in California with a 12% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among California schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.
What University of Southern California looks for
What University of Southern California weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.
SAT score positioning at University of Southern California
How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.
How University of Southern California compares in California
University of Southern California ranks #7 most selective of 61 schools in California in our database.
Similar to University of Southern California
Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.
Frequently asked questions
How hard is it to get into University of Southern California?
University of Southern California has a 12% acceptance rate, which makes it highly selective — it turns away most applicants. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.
What SAT score do you need for University of Southern California?
There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1530. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.
What does University of Southern California value most in applicants?
Based on its admissions profile, University of Southern California weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic gpa, application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.
What are my chances of getting into University of Southern California?
Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for University of Southern California in a few minutes, no account required.
Want the deeper guide? Read our full University of Southern California chances guide →
Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.