26_Intro_USC(TOPRESS2)

2026

Introduction to USC

USC at a

glance Private Research University MISSION

1880 FOUNDED

Los Angeles LOCATION

21,000 UNDERGRADUATES

26,000 GRADUATE STUDENTS

1 LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGE

10 PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS

6 SCHOOLS OF VISUAL/ PERFORMING/CREATIVE ARTS

1 ACADEMY

500,000+ ALUMNI WORLDWIDE

Are you ready to join this vibrant community?

As a private, research institution in the heart of a dynamic world center, the University of Southern California offers students a top-tier education unmatched anywhere else. From the ability to pursue interdisciplinary major and minor programs, to study abroad programs on nearly every continent, to abundant pre-professional and recreational opportunities in the city of Los Angeles, to a vibrant campus life that mirrors the breadth of the global community, students discover that USC becomes their passport to a whole new world of possibilities.

We offer world-class programs in virtually every field.

Trojan Voices “With a USC degree, you will have the world at your fingertips! USC's degrees open doors that you couldn't imagine possible...”

KAITLYN SMITH FORT MILL, SOUTH CAROLINA

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Academics Since our founding in 1880, USC has grown into a top-tier private research institution, with all the resources of a large, urban university and the nurturing environment of a smaller college.

Trojan Voices “The best thing about USC is the opportunity to pursue the many interests that I have. With over 250 minors to choose from and 18 academic schools, there is truly an opportunity for every student.”

HAYDEN AMERICUS RIVAS SOUTH SURREY, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

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Choose from more than 150 majors and over 250 minors that will allow you to pursue your passions and goals.

Participate in faculty-led or original research projects as soon as your first year and earn fellowships or scholarships to support your research.

Gain knowledge and insights from faculty members who are experts in their fields, and benefit from an intimate educational experience with an average class size of 25 students and a 9:1 student-faculty ratio.

At USC, you will learn from the best to become the best.

Global Perspective Expand your understanding of the world through a global education that encourages community-building and study abroad.

USC Departments and Services Find contact information for academic departments and campus services.

50+

CITIES ACROSS SIX CONTINENTS WITH STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

130+

COUNTRIES REPRESENTED BY THE STUDENT POPULATION.

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Campus Life Student Clubs and Organizations Connect with fellow students and learn valuable skills through USC’s student clubs and organizations, including cultural and religious clubs; service-learning programs; and academic, recreational and professional organizations. campusactivities.usc.edu

Arts and Entertainment Enjoy hundreds of film screenings, theatrical performances, art exhibitions and music concerts throughout the year. calendar.usc.edu

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Athletics USC has a proud tradition of supporting the scholar-athlete. More than 9,600 students participate in club sports and teams. And Trojans show their school spirit by cheering on our 23 Division I athletic teams, who have earned 137 NCAA championships and 114 team titles. recsports.usc.edu usctrojans.com

Student Culture and Community Centers USC’s Student Culture and Community Centers are student support services and organizations that facilitate dialogue and community-building with a focus on belonging and well-being. Programs include: Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS), the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs (CBCSA), the First Generation Plus Success Center (FG+SC), La CASA, Middle Eastern North African (MENA) Lounge, Native American Pasifika (NAPL) Lounge, the LGBTQ+ Student Center, Student Basic Needs, and Veterans Resource Center. youbelong.usc.edu/centers-officesand-spaces

Living on Campus USC is a residential campus, with 98 percent of first-year students choosing to live in USC housing, which includes residence halls, suites and apartments.

Faculty in residence and student staff plan activities and support the transition to college life. housing.usc.edu

Dining The USC campus and surrounding neighborhoods offer a wide array of dining options. Dining halls serve a variety of cuisines daily for residents of USC housing, including vegan, vegetarian and cultural options.

Coffee shops, restaurants and markets offer a number of grab ’n’ go items. hospitality.usc.edu

USC Village The USC Village comprises a town center with 1.2 million square feet of retail and residential space, including a full-service grocery store, restaurants and recreational spaces. Eight residential colleges provide 2,700 beds for USC students.

As a lively hub for social, residential and academic opportunities, the Village has transformed the undergraduate experience at USC. housing.usc.edu • village.usc.edu

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Los Angeles At USC, you will live and thrive in the heart of a dynamic world center, home to one of the top 20 economies in the world, where more than 100 nationalities are represented and over 200 languages are spoken. You will find a range of recreational and cultural activities — from relaxing on the beach to attending plays, concerts and gallery showings — within a few miles of campus, and in some cases, right outside your front door.

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Getting Around

Internship and Job Opportunities

Students have several ways to get around. Buses and light rail provide quick, affordable transportation throughout Los Angeles. The Metro rail E Line connects the beaches and shops of Santa Monica with USC and Downtown. Rental services such as Zipcar and Enterprise provide inexpensive alternatives to owning a car.

And the university’s Lyft Rides Program can get you home safely after hours.

The city also provides a wide array of opportunities for students looking for internships and jobs. Each year, more than 750 companies recruit on campus. careers.usc.edu USC students find countless internship opportunities throughout Hollywood, in tech companies along Silicon Beach, through engineering companies south of campus, in the financial and law offices of Downtown L.A., as well as in preceptorship opportunities at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and research studies at the USC Health Sciences Campus.

If you prefer to bike around campus, USC provides numerous bike lanes and bike racks, making it a truly bike-friendly campus.

USC HAS THREE METRO STOPS ADJACENT TO CAMPUS

So much to see around the city...

San Gabriel Mountains

USC Health Sciences Campus

Griffith Park Observatory

Hollywood Walk of Fame

8 miles

Hollywood Malibu

Getty Center Welcome to

DODGER STADIUM 1000 VIN SCULLY AVENUE

West Hollywood

Dodger Stadium

Beverly Hills The Grove

Chinatown LA Metro B Line (Red)

Union Station LACMA

The Broad

Crypto.com Arena

USC

Grand Central Market

Downtown LA Little Tokyo Arts District

LA Metro E Line (Expo)

Santa Monica Catalina Island Two Harbors

L.A. Memorial Coliseum

USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability

BMO Stadium Silicon Beach

LA Metro K Line (Pink) LA Metro A Line (Blue)

Avalon Pacific Ocean

LAX

Los Angeles International Airport

SoFi Stadium

Disneyland 1 - 1.5 hours by car

LA Metro C Line (Green)

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Trojan Family For many of us, "family" is more than a matter of heritage. At USC, you will discover a whole new meaning for the word.

You will find camaraderie with individuals who share your interests, background and passions, as well as with those who can become partners in your academic and professional endeavors.

And when the greater USC community comes together for Game Days or special events, you will experience the inspiration and excitement of the Trojan Spirit — a feeling like no other!

Now more than 500,000 members strong, the Trojan Family will be there for you, lifelong and worldwide.

alumni.usc.edu

Trojan Voices “The best thing about USC is the spirit!!!

USC has incredible school spirit and the people here have shown me the most passionate "work hard, play hard" mentality. Game Days are so much fun and there are so many school events going on all the time.”

WAVERLY BAGLEY SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA 8

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Admission First-Year Students

2025 First-Year Student Profile*

We conduct a holistic review of your application that considers academic and personal characteristics.

We will review your academic performance and the rigor of your program within the context of your school. We also consider your writing skills and your personal qualities, as revealed through involvement, leadership and essays.

We look for students we believe will thrive at USC. Most of our first-year students come from the top 10 percent of their high school classes.

2025-26 Undergraduate Demographics*

83,500

23%

APPLICATIONS

FIRST-GENERATION

9,200

52%

30%

CALIFORNIA

OTHER PARTS OF U.S.

24%

24%

WHITE

ASIAN/ASIAN AMERICAN

3,650

20%

18%

SIZE OF ENTERING CLASS

INTERNATIONAL LATINE/ STUDENTS HISPANIC

ADMITS

A-Average IN A RIGOROUS, COLLEGE PREP CURRICULUM

6%

6%

BLACK/ AFRICAN AMERICAN

MULTI-ETHNIC

Visit admission.usc.edu/firstyear

<1%

for more details.

NATIVE AMERICAN OR PACIFIC ISLANDER

Transfer Applicants Your academic record will be closely evaluated. In addition to maintaining strong grades, you should complete specific courses in college-level writing and mathematics and make consistent progress toward meeting USC Core Requirements, including foreign language (if required by your major) and General Education requirements, as well as lower-division courses required or recommended for your major.

Visit admission.usc.edu/transfer for more details.

2025 Transfer Student Profile*

10,825

3.79

APPLICATIONS

AVERAGE COLLEGE GPA

2,850

1,550

FALL ADMISSION OFFERS

EXPECTED TRANSFER ENROLLED CLASS SIZE

Scan to view our Transferring to USC brochure. *AS OF JULY 2025

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Application Deadlines for Admission and Scholarships admission.usc.edu/deadlines

First-Year Applicants Early Action (most majors) Early Decision (Marshall School of Business only) November 1, 2025 Early Action (EA) admission is non-binding and non-restrictive. It is not available for the majors listed below that require a portfolio or audition.

Students applying to most majors must apply EA in order to be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.

Early Decision (ED) is binding and is intended for students who are committed to attending USC. It is not available for the World Bachelor in Business program. Students applying ED will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.

Regular Decision

Transfer Applicants Regular Decision For some majors requiring a portfolio or audition December 1, 2025 Transfer deadline to apply for admission to the following programs: BFA Cinematic Arts and Dramatic Arts programs; Kaufman School of Dance; and Thornton School of Music.

For majors requiring a portfolio or audition

All other majors

December 1, 2025

Final transfer application deadline for all other programs.

Final deadline to apply for admission to the following programs: School of Architecture; Roski School of Art & Design; School of Cinematic Arts; Kaufman School of Dance; School of Dramatic Arts; Thornton School of Music; and the World Bachelor in Business.

Candidates applying to these programs by this date will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.

All other majors January 10, 2026 10

February 15, 2026

All students who apply on time for transfer admission will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.

All transfer candidates will receive either an admission decision or a request for spring grades by the end of May. If you receive a request for spring grades, you will be notified of an admission decision by mid-July.

Application Checklist and Requirements The Common Application USC uses the Common Application.

Please visit admission.usc.edu/ commonapp for detailed information.

USC’s Test-Optional Policy Students who apply to the fall 2026 academic year will not be required to submit SAT or ACT

Application Checklist

scores, although they may still submit them if

The Common Application

they choose not to submit SAT or ACT scores.

Personal essay

they wish. Applicants will not be penalized if Please visit admission.usc.edu/test-optionalpolicy-faq for more information.

Academic interest short answer Activities list Quick takes Secondary school report (first-year students only) Letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor (first-year students only)

USC Merit Scholarships The USC Office of Admission administers prestigious scholarship programs for incoming students.

To be considered for USC Merit Scholarships,

Official transcripts* SAT or ACT scores (optional)

first-year applicants must submit their application by the Early Action/Early Decision deadline of November 1, or by the Regular Decision deadline

Additional materials if required by major

of December 1 if applying to a major that requires

English proficiency exam and proof of financial support (international students only)

apply by December 1 (for certain majors) or by the

*Transfer applicants should submit:

a portfolio or audition. Transfer applicants must final transfer deadline of February 15.

Additional USC scholarships are administered by organizations outside the Office of Admission.

These often require a separate application

A final high school transcript

and have varying deadlines and eligibility

indicating their date of graduation

requirements. A full list of USC scholarships

Official transcripts from ALL colleges or universities attended

is available online.

USC Scholarships are administered consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination.

Recipients are chosen without regard to race,

We do not require the Common Application’s College Report.

color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited characteristic. admission.usc.edu/scholarships 11

Financial Aid USC is need-blind in its admission process. Students are admitted regardless of their ability to pay, and we work with families to meet the full financial need for qualified students.

Nearly two-thirds of USC undergraduates receive some sort of financial aid, including need-based grants, merit scholarships, Federal Work-Study and loans.

In 2024-2025, the university awarded more than $904 million in financial aid.

More than 75 percent of that amount comprised grants and scholarships — gift aid that does not need to be repaid.

International students are not eligible for need-based financial aid, but they may receive merit scholarships or apply for private loans with a qualified co-signer who is a U.S. citizen.

USC’s Affordability Initiative affordability.usc.edu Newly admitted first-year students from U.S. families with an annual income of $80,000 or less (with typical assets) are able to attend USC tuition-free. This initiative boosts opportunities for firstyear students whose families earn too much to qualify for adequate aid.

Applying for Financial Aid financialaid.usc.edu All applicants should complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the deadlines listed below. The process for obtaining need-based financial aid is the same for all students regardless of which admission deadline they apply by.

Tuition

$73,260

Fees

$1,902

First-Year Deadline for Early Decision: November 1, 2025

Housing*

$12,879

Food/meal plan*

$8,028

First-Year Deadline for Early Action: December 12, 2025

Books and supplies

$650

First-Year Deadline for Regular Decision: February 4, 2026

Transportation

Transfer Deadline: March 2, 2026

Total

Financial Aid Calculators

(Add $450 New Student Fee for your first semester.)

financialaid.usc.edu/npc

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2025-2026 Estimated Cost of Attendance

Visit our Financial Aid Calculators to receive an estimate of your cost, based on your family’s financial circumstances.

Personal and miscellaneous

$2,006 $414 $99,139

*Includes average rent and the standard meal plan for students living in on-campus first-year housing.

Meet Us Detailed information about events for prospective students can be found at admission.usc.edu/meet-us.

In Person

Online

Experience USC firsthand at on- or off-campus events, or by taking an on-campus guided tour!

Learn more about USC from the comfort of your own home through virtual tours and informational webinars.

Other Ways to Connect with USC Sign up for our mailing list: admission.usc.edu/request-for-information Find your admission counselor: admission.usc.edu/find-your-counselor Gain tips, advice and insights into our admission process, directly from our counselors: www.admissionblog.usc.edu Undergraduate Admission Office (213) 740-1111 admission.usc.edu @uscadmission

The University of Southern California prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, employment status, income status, shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics, partnership status, medical condition (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), disability, political belief or affiliation, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities.

For questions about compliance with the notice of non-discrimination, please contact the Office for Equity, Equal Opportunity, and Title IX at https://eeotix.usc.edu or email eeotix@usc.edu. For disability-related questions, the University has also designated an ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, Christine Street, Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs–Institutional Accessibility and ADA Compliance, who can be reached at streetc@usc.edu, (213) 821-4658, 3601 Trousdale Parkway, Bldg. #89, Los Angeles, California 90089.

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Majors

USC School of Architecture

Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Iovine and Young Academy

American Popular Culture American Studies and Ethnicity African American Studies American Studies Asian American Studies Chicano/Latino Studies Anthropology Applied and Computational Mathematics Archaeology and Heritage Studies Art History Astronomy Behavioral Economics and Psychology Biochemistry Biological Sciences Biophysics Central European Studies Chemistry Classics Cognitive Science Comparative Literature Computational Neuroscience Contemporary Latino and Latin American Studies Creative Writing Earth Sciences East Asian Area Studies East Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) Economics Economics and Data Science Economics/Mathematics English Environmental Science and Health Environmental Studies French Gender and Sexuality Studies GeoDesign Geological Sciences Global Geodesign Global Studies Health and Human Sciences History Human Biology Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence Intelligence and Cyber Operations International Relations International Relations (Global Business) International Relations and the Global Economy Italian Jewish Studies Latin American and Iberian Cultures, Media and Politics Law, History and Culture Linguistics Mathematics Middle East Studies Narrative Studies Neuroscience Non-Governmental Organizations and Social Change Philosophy Philosophy, Politics and Economics Philosophy, Politics and Law Physics Physics/Computer Science Political Economy Political Science Psychology Quantitative Biology Religion Russian Sociology Spanish

Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation, B.S. Business of Innovation, B.S. Human Technology Interaction, B.S.

Computer Science Computer Science Games Computer Science/Business Administration Electrical and Computer Engineering Environmental Engineering Industrial and Systems Engineering Mechanical Engineering

Roski School of Art and Design

Davis School of Gerontology

Architecture, B.ARCH Architecture and Inventive Technologies, B.S. *

Art, B.A. Design, BFA Fine Arts, BFA

Human Development and Aging Lifespan Health

Marshall School of Business

Legal Studies

Accounting Artificial Intelligence for Business * Business Administration Business of Cinematic Arts * Real Estate Finance and Development * World Bachelor in Business *

USC School of Cinematic Arts

Animation + Digital Arts, BFA Cinema and Media Studies, B.A. Film and Television Production, BFA * Film and Television Production, B.A. ** Game Art, BFA Game Development and Interactive Design, BFA Media Arts + Practice, B.A. Themed Entertainment, BFA Writing for Screen & Television, BFA

Gould School of Law Keck School of Medicine

Global Health Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies

Thornton School of Music Bachelor of Music degrees: Choral Music Composition, Classical Jazz Studies (instrumental and vocal) Music Production Popular Music Performance Classical Performance

Communication Journalism Public Relations and Advertising

Bassoon Cello Clarinet Double Bass Flute French Horn Guitar Harp Oboe Organ

Kaufman School of Dance

Bachelor of Science degree:

USC School of Dramatic Arts

Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy

Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Dance, BFA

Acting, Stage and Screen, BFA Dramatic Arts, B.A. Musical Theatre, BFA Sound Design, BFA Stage Management, BFA Technical Direction, BFA Theatrical Design, BFA

Viterbi School of Engineering

Undeclared Engineering * Aerospace Engineering Artificial Intelligence * Astronautical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Biomedical (Electrical) Biomedical (Mechanical) Biomedical (Molecular-Cellular) Chemical Engineering Chemical (Biological and Pharmaceutical) Chemical (Biochemical) Chemical (Environmental) Chemical (Nanotechnology) Chemical (Petroleum) Chemical (Polymer/Materials Science) Chemical (Sustainable Energy) Civil Engineering Civil (Building Science) Civil (Construction Engineering and Management) Civil (Environmental) Civil (Structural) Civil (Water Resources) Computer Engineering and Computer Science

Percussion Piano Saxophone Trombone Trumpet Tuba Viola Violin Vocal Arts

Music Industry

Occupational Therapy *

Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Biopharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacology and Drug Development

Price School of Public Policy Public Policy Real Estate Development Urban Studies and Planning

Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Social Work *

Pre-Professional Emphases

Pre-Dentistry Pre-Law Pre-Medicine Pre-Occupational Therapy Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Physical Therapy Pre-Physician Assistant Practice Pre-Teaching * Available to first-year applicants only. ** Available to transfer applicants only.

BC

List accurate at time of printing. For an updated list, please refer to the USC Catalogue at catalogue.usc.edu for a full list of undergraduate degrees, including additional majors (such as Data Science) and emphases to which you can apply once at USC.

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