Facts and Stats
USC is an innovative private research university that blends the autonomy for exploration emblematic of a private institution with its size and resources, along with the breadth and scale of a public university.
A Leading Private Research University
In its comprehensive 2022 ranking, The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education ranked USC 19th among more than 1,000 public and private universities. Among all California institutions — public and private — only USC, Caltech and Stanford University ranked within the top 20. Of the 150 universities surveyed in the western U.S., USC ranks No. 3 overall. Among the top 25 schools, USC ranked No. 4 in engagement, which measures student sentiment on how their education prepares them for the real world.
Student Data (2022-2023 academic year)
21,000
Undergraduates
28,500
Graduate and professional
49,500
Total student population
Faculty and Staff (2022-23 academic year)
4,624
Faculty (full-time)
17,216
Staff (50 percent time or more)
8,225
Student workers (does not include teaching/research assistants)
Freshman Class Data (Fall 2022)
USC received 69,062 applications for academic year 2022-2023. The total number of admitted students was 8,304, with 3,420 of the admitted students matriculating. The middle 50-percent average GPA (unweighted) was 3.82-4.00. Over 22% of the incoming class are first-generation college students.
Twelve percent of the 69,062 freshman applicants were admitted.
Of the 8,304 admitted students, 3,420 matriculated.
Twenty-two percent of the class were first in their family to attend college.
Student Demographics (Fall 2022)
| Asians | 19.3% |
| Black/African American | 5.8% |
| Hispanic | 15.3% |
| White/Caucasian | 24.8% |
| International | 26.6% |
| Other | 8.2% |
International Students (Fall 2022)
| China | 6,513 |
| India | 2,590 |
| South Korea | 518 |
| Taiwan | 471 |
| Canada | 335 |
| Saudi Arabia | 164 |
| Indonesia | 133 |
| Mexico | 127 |
| Hong Kong | 124 |
| Iran | 122 |
| Other places of origin | 1,959 |
| Total | 13,056 |
Student Retention Rate (Fall 2022)
| Fall 2021 (% enrolled Fall 2022) | 97% |
| Fall 2020 (% enrolled Fall 2021) | 96% |
| Fall 2019 (% enrolled Fall 2020) | 91% |
| Fall 2018 (% enrolled Fall 2019) | 96% |
| Fall 2017 (% enrolled Fall 2018) | 97% |
*USC’s retention rate is based on full-time, first-time freshmen.
Degrees Awarded (Fall 2022)
| Bachelor’s degrees | 5,424 |
|---|---|
| Advanced degrees | 12,393 |
Six-Year Graduation Rate (Student Right-to-Know*)
| 2022 (Fall 2016 freshman class) | 92% |
| 2021 (Fall 2015 freshman class) | 92% |
| 2020 (Fall 2014 freshman class) | 92% |
| 2019 (Fall 2013 freshman class) | 91% |
| 2018 (Fall 2012 freshman class) | 92% |
| 2017 (Fall 2011 freshman class) | 92% |
*Student Right-to-Know refers to a federally mandated disclosure of a college’s graduation rate. Its intent is to provide prospective students and their parents with a statistic of comparable effectiveness that can be used in determining college choice. USC’s current graduation rate is based on full-time, first-time, degree-seeking undergraduates who entered the university in the fall semester and graduated within six years of attendance (150% of the normal completion time). Graduation rates do not include students who left school to serve in the armed forces or on official church missions or with a foreign aid service of the federal government, or students who died or were totally and permanently disabled.
USC’s U-CAN Profile
The University and College Accountability Network (U-CAN) website provides profiles of hundreds of private institutions of higher learning, in a common format, with the goal of helping parents and prospective students make an informed college choice. View USC’s U-CAN Profile.
Common Data Set
The Common Data Set (CDS) comprises standard data items and definitions established by data providers in higher education and publishing to improve the quality, comparability and accuracy of institutional information. View USC’s Common Data Set.
IPEDS Data
IPEDS is the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. It is a system of interrelated surveys conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics. IPEDS gathers information from every college, university, and technical and vocational institution that participates in the federal student financial aid programs. View USC’s IPEDS Data.
College Navigator
The College Navigator is a free consumer information tool designed to assist students, parents, high school counselors, and others get information about over 7,000 colleges and universities across the United States and other areas. View USC’s College Navigator Profile.
Undergraduate Tuition
$63,468 (2022-23 undergraduate estimate of costs)
Financial Aid Awarded
USC is committed to honoring the academic potential of all students, regardless of background or financial means. Over $773.4 million was awarded in the fiscal year 2021-2022 (all sources). The university is need-blind in making its admission decisions and works with families toward meeting a student’s financial needs if they meet all eligibility requirements.
Financial Aid awarded (2021-22 academic year)
$464 million
Financial aid from all university sources exceeds $464 million.
$606 million
The total gift aid to undergraduates from all sources (university, federal, state, other) in 2021-22 (more than 75 percent of all aid awarded).
$773 million
Amount of financial aid awarded from all sources for 2021-22 (including work-study and loans).
Community Partnerships
The University of Southern California has been a proud and active member of its community since 1880. USC believes its strength as a great university depends on its ability to be a good neighbor. USC is dedicated to supporting healthy, vibrant and engaged communities around its University Park and Health Sciences campuses.
$35M
USC invests $35 million annually to support community initiatives, serving 40,000 community members.
31
Total number of USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative partners across both USC campuses
15
Total number of schools in the USC Family of Schools system
Sponsored Research
The University of Southern California attracted $955.6 million in sponsored research (2020-21 fiscal year) to fund studies in biotech, public health, biomedical engineering, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease, among others.
Endowment (as of June 30, 2021)
$8.1 billion
University Budget (2021-22 fiscal year)
$6.2 billion