USC Acceptance Rate

The University of Southern California (USC), located in Los Angeles, California, is known for its competitive admissions process. For the most recent admission cycle (Class of 2028), USC reported an overall acceptance rate of approximately 9.9%, reflecting a highly selective process. This rate is influenced by a growing applicant pool, with over 80,000 applications received in recent years, as well as trends toward increased demand for spots at top-tier universities. USC publishes transparent admission statistics through its official website and the Common Data Set, providing reliable insights into its selectivity.

• Overall Acceptance Rate: 9.9% for the Class of 2028, with around 80,000 applicants and approximately 7,900 admitted students, marking a slight decrease from prior years.
• Early Action/Decision Rate: Specific data for early admissions is not publicly available for this cycle; however, historical trends suggest a slightly higher rate of around 12.0% due to smaller applicant pools in early rounds.
• International Student Rate: Estimated at 8.5%, based on historical data, as USC attracts a significant number of global applicants but maintains stringent admission standards.

Over the past decade, USC’s acceptance rate has trended downward, reflecting increasing competitiveness as more students apply each year. The university’s emphasis on holistic admissions, including academic excellence and extracurricular involvement, contributes to this selectivity. Compared to peer institutions like UCLA or Stanford, USC’s rate of 9.9% positions it as highly selective but slightly less competitive than Ivy League schools, which often report rates below 5%. Factors such as early decision/action options may offer a marginal advantage, though data remains limited. International admissions are also increasingly competitive due to USC’s global reputation. For the most accurate and updated statistics, prospective students are encouraged to visit the official USC admissions website at admission.usc.edu.