USC Admission Statistics: Understanding the Numbers

01/04/202315 minute read
USC Admission Statistics: Understanding the Numbers

Looking to join the Traveler Family? Well, you’re in for some stiff competition. The University of Southern California (USC) is a highly selective university, and the admissions process is notoriously competitive. For the Class of 2027, USC’s acceptance rate was 9.9%. This means that out of the 80,790 first-year applications they received, only 7,998 students received acceptance letters.

University of Southern California Acceptance Rate for Class of 2027

As one of the top private universities on the West Coast, USC has a long history of academic excellence and a reputation for producing successful graduates in a variety of fields. It’s no surprise that the Class of 2027 broke records for this university, sending in the largest amount of applications the school has ever received.

Not only was it a record-breaking year for the number of applications received for USC, but the Class of 2027 also faced a historically low acceptance rate. With only 9.9% of students accepted among the 80,790 applications, USC’s acceptance rate took a nose dive compared to last year’s admission rates.

USC Acceptance Rate for Class of 2027
Head1Number of ApplicationsAccepted StudentsAcceptance Rate
Early Applications40,6002,4005.9%
Regular Applications40,1905,59813%
Total Applications 80,7907,9989.9%

USC Admission Rates

USC is known for its top-ranked academic programs, innovative research opportunities, and vibrant campus life. The university's faculty includes numerous Nobel laureates, MacArthur Fellows, and Pulitzer Prize winners. USC also boasts a highly successful athletics program, with numerous national championships and Olympic medalists. USC offers a world-class education and a fulfilling college experience to its students, with a commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and social impact. Despite the highly competitive admissions process, USC continues to attract top students from around the world, who are drawn to its exceptional academic programs, groundbreaking research, and vibrant campus community.

USC Admission Rates
Head1Number of First-Year ApplicationsAccepted StudentsAcceptance Rate
Class of 202460,0009,50015.8%
Class of 202570,9718,80412%
Class of 202669,0008,19811.88%
Class of 202781,0007,9009.75%
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USC Class of 2027 Student Profile

The Class of 2027 at USC is an impressive and diverse group of students from around the world. This incoming class includes high-achieving students with compelling personal qualities, hailing from a wide range of backgrounds. Notably, 23% of admitted students will be the first in their family to attend college, which marks the highest rate ever recorded at USC.

Legacy students make up 12% of the admitted class, while a third of students identify with a historically underrepresented racial or ethnic group. California is the most represented state in the incoming class, making up 38% of the new students, followed by New York, Texas, Illinois, Washington, and New Jersey. Additionally, 19% of the class is comprised of international students from 87 different countries.

In terms of academic achievement, the incoming class boasts an average GPA of 3.9, with 41% of students having earned perfect grades in high school. These impressive statistics reflect USC's commitment to academic excellence and diversity, as well as its ability to attract the best and brightest students from around the world.

Historical Trends for USC Admission

Over the years, USC's admission rates have become increasingly competitive, reflecting the university's growing reputation and popularity among students. Here's a look at some historical trends in USC admissions:

  • In 2010, USC's acceptance rate was 26.3%.
  • By 2015, the acceptance rate had dropped to 18%.
  • In 2020, USC's acceptance rate was 16%.
  • For the Class of 2027, USC's acceptance rate further decreased to 9.75%.

These trends indicate that USC's admissions process has become more selective over time, with an increasing number of highly qualified applicants vying for a limited number of spots. To be admitted to USC, applicants must have exceptional academic credentials, impressive extracurricular activities, and compelling personal qualities. Additionally, USC is committed to diversity and inclusivity in its admissions, striving to create a community that reflects the rich diversity of the world around us.

Despite the highly competitive admissions process, USC continues to attract top students from around the world, who are drawn to the university's exceptional academic programs, research opportunities, and vibrant campus community. As USC continues to grow and innovate, its admissions process is likely to remain highly competitive, attracting the best and brightest students from around the world.

Top Majors at USC

Here are some of the top majors at the University of Southern California (USC), along with admission statistics for each major:

  1. Business Administration: USC's business administration program is highly competitive, with an acceptance rate of around 9%. The median SAT score for admitted students was 1520, and the median ACT score was 34.
  2. Computer Science: USC's computer science program is also very popular, with an acceptance rate of around 7.5%. The median SAT score for admitted students was 1540, and the median ACT score was 35.
  3. Communications: USC's communications program is another popular major, with an acceptance rate of around 13%. The median SAT score for admitted students was 1480, and the median ACT score was 34.
  4. Engineering: USC's engineering program is highly regarded, with an acceptance rate of around 10%. The median SAT score for admitted students was 1530, and the median ACT score was 34.
  5. Psychology: USC's psychology program is also a popular major, with an acceptance rate of around 8.5%. The median SAT score for admitted students was 1500, and the median ACT score was 34.

It's worth noting that admission rates and requirements for USC's majors can fluctuate yearly . Moreover, admission to any major at USC is highly competitive. Applicants must have a robust academic background, noteworthy extracurricular activities, and a compelling personal statement to improve their admission odds. As such, aspiring USC students should aim to showcase their excellence in all aspects of their application to have the best chance of success.

How Crimson Education Can Help You Get Into USC and Other Top Ranking Colleges

According to US News, USC is ranked as the 25th best college in National Universities. Most college admissions experts agree that the number of students applying to top universities will continue to grow, especially if schools continue making standardized testing optional.

Crimson Education helps thousands of students gain admission to their dream schools. Despite enormous applicant pools and low acceptance rates at top universities, Crimson’s acceptance numbers are increasing! This year, more than 200 of our students were accepted to top universities in the US in the early round alone. Here is a breakdown of Crimson’s early-round numbers.

  • 44+ early admits to the Ivy League with half of these students admitted into the most competitive: Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Columbia
  • 6+ early admits to Stanford and MIT
  • 56+ early admits to the US Top 10
  • A combined 20+ early admits to Duke, UChicago, Northwestern, and Johns Hopkins
  • 17 early admits to NYU
  • More than 200 early admits to the US Top 50 universities

If USC is your dream school, Crimson can help you get there! Our strategists include former Ivy League graduates who can help you put together a solid application that stands out from the crowd! Learn more about our Admissions Support program.