University of Southern California Acceptance Rate 2026: 11.2% Admit Rate, GPA, SAT & Admissions Guide
Direct answer: USC’s latest official first-year profile lists 83,488 Fall 2025 applicants, 9,345 admits, and an 11.2% admit rate. For 2026 applicants, USC should be treated as a highly selective reach school.
The acceptance rate answers only one part of the search intent. Your real USC chance depends on course rigor, GPA, essays, major choice, optional test scores, recommendation, portfolio requirements, deadline plan and whether your application shows fit with USC.
This page gives the answer first, then the useful details: GPA data, SAT/ACT ranges, test optional policy, EA/ED/RD deadlines, application materials, scholarship timing, international rules, video help, FAQs and official USC links.
Fall 2025 official profile: 83,488 applicants and 9,345 admits.
USC reported 3,759 new students in the Fall 2025 first-year profile.
Optional 2026–27 applicants
USC says first-year applicants to 2026–27 are not required to submit SAT/ACT.
Most majors: Early Action and Early Decision application deadline is November 1.
Quick navigation for USC applicants
USC acceptance rate 2026: clear answer first
| Search question | Answer | What it means for applicants |
|---|---|---|
| USC acceptance rate 2026 | Use 11.2% as the latest official Fall 2025 first-year admit-rate reference. | USC is a reach school for most applicants. |
| How many applied? | 83,488 Fall 2025 applicants. | The applicant pool is large, so weak fit or missing details can hurt. |
| How many were admitted? | 9,345 Fall 2025 admits. | Many qualified students are denied because there are limited spaces. |
| How many enrolled? | 3,759 new students, with 40.3% yield. | Admitted students choose USC at a high rate, making class-building competitive. |
| Older CDS comparison | USC 2024–25 CDS reported 82,027 applied and 8,050 admitted, about 9.8%. | USC has stayed very selective in recent cycles. |
USC deadlines: Early Action, Early Decision and Regular Decision
USC now gives first-year students multiple deadline choices. The right deadline depends on your major, scholarship goals, readiness and whether you can make a binding ED commitment.
| Plan | Deadline | Decision timing | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action | November 1 | Late January: admission or deferral to RD | Most majors; non-binding, non-restrictive, and considered for USC merit scholarships. |
| Early Decision | November 1 | By mid-December | Only when USC is your clear first choice and you are ready to enroll if admitted. |
| Regular Decision: performing arts majors | December 1 | By April 1 | Kaufman School of Dance, School of Dramatic Arts and Thornton School of Music. |
| Regular Decision: most majors | January 10 | By April 1 | Final first-year deadline for majors without the December 1 deadline. |
| Financial aid deadlines | ED: Nov 1, EA: Nov 15, RD: Feb 3 | Separate from admission review | Submit FAFSA and CSS Profile if applying for need-based aid. |
USC GPA, SAT and ACT: what is competitive?
GPA answer
No guaranteed cutoff. USC’s CDS reported an average enrolled-student GPA of 3.80 among students who submitted GPA.
Strong GPA range
78.1% of enrolled first-year students with reported GPA had a 3.75 or higher in USC’s 2024–25 CDS.
SAT range
Among score submitters, USC’s CDS listed SAT EBRW 710–760 and SAT Math 740–790.
ACT range
USC’s CDS listed ACT Composite 32–35 among enrolled students who submitted ACT scores.
| Academic item | Official USC detail | Applicant action |
|---|---|---|
| Average GPA | 3.80 average high school GPA among enrolled students who submitted GPA. | Keep grades strong, especially in junior and senior-year rigor. |
| Top class rank | 73% were in the top tenth; 94% were in the top quarter among those reporting rank. | If your school ranks, strong rank helps. If not, rigor and counselor context matter. |
| SAT | EBRW 710–760; Math 740–790 for score submitters. | Submit only if your official score strengthens your academic story. |
| ACT | ACT Composite 32–35 for score submitters. | A strong ACT can help, but weak scores are not required under test optional. |
| Test optional | USC says applicants are not penalized if they do not submit SAT/ACT. | Use test optional strategically, not emotionally. |
| Official scores | USC requires official test scores from the testing agency if you choose to submit. | SAT code: 4852. ACT code: 0470. |
What USC looks for: not only grades and test scores
USC says its review is holistic and considers more than grades and test scores. The university looks for students who can thrive in a world-class academic environment and become partners in learning and research.
| Review area | What it means | How to strengthen it |
|---|---|---|
| Course rigor | USC says first-year students generally take the most rigorous academic schedule available. | Take the hardest realistic courses connected to your interests. |
| Essays | USC-specific writing helps readers understand fit, voice and goals. | Avoid generic Los Angeles or prestige-only answers. |
| Activities | Depth, leadership, talent, work, service and impact matter. | Show what changed because you were involved. |
| Recommendation | One letter from a counselor or teacher is required. | Ask someone who can explain your growth, thinking and character. |
| Major fit | Some USC schools need portfolios, auditions, writing samples or extra materials. | Check requirements before choosing your deadline. |
USC major-specific strategy: Viterbi, Marshall, Cinematic Arts and more
USC’s overall acceptance rate does not explain every major. Some programs need extra materials or attract very strong applicant pools.
| USC path | What matters | Actionable applicant strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Viterbi Engineering | Math/science rigor, technical projects, problem-solving and academic strength. | Show coding, robotics, research, engineering clubs, competitions or real-world technical work. |
| Marshall Business | Leadership, quantitative readiness, communication and impact. | Use examples from business clubs, jobs, entrepreneurship, analytics, sales, finance or community leadership. |
| School of Cinematic Arts | Creative voice, storytelling, portfolio/writing requirements and fit. | Do not wait until deadline week. Creative materials should be revised early. |
| Dramatic Arts / Dance / Music | Performing arts programs have a December 1 RD deadline and may require auditions/materials. | Plan auditions, recordings, résumés and artistic materials before December. |
| Iovine and Young Academy | Arts, technology, business and innovation fit. | Show cross-disciplinary thinking, not just one isolated talent. |
| Dornsife | Academic depth, writing, research curiosity and liberal arts fit. | Connect your interests to USC courses, labs, Los Angeles and future goals. |
| Architecture / Roski | Creative portfolio and design thinking may matter. | Check each school’s supplement and prepare visual work carefully. |
USC application checklist: official items students should prepare
| Checklist item | USC official detail | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Common Application | USC uses the Common App; each cycle opens August 1. | Rushing USC-specific sections after finishing the main Common App. |
| Test scores | Optional; official scores required if submitted; no self-reported scores. | Submitting a score that weakens the application. |
| Transcripts | Official transcripts of all high school and college coursework completed. | Forgetting dual enrollment or college coursework. |
| Recommendation | One letter from school counselor or teacher is required. | Choosing a recommender who cannot describe your growth. |
| Additional materials | Portfolio, résumé, writing samples or auditions may be required by major. | Checking supplement requirements too late. |
| International documents | Financial Statement of Personal or Family Support and English proficiency if applicable. | Waiting for bank or English test documents near the deadline. |
USC admissions video guide
Watch this USC admissions video, then use the checklist below to turn general advice into specific application changes.
Final USC application action plan
Financial aid, scholarships and international applicant notes
| Question | Official detail | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Is USC need-blind? | USC says it is need-blind for domestic students. | Domestic financial need should not influence admission decision. |
| How many receive aid? | USC says nearly two-thirds of undergraduate students receive financial aid. | Submit required aid forms early if applying for aid. |
| Merit scholarships | About 15% of the 2025 entering first-year class received a merit-based scholarship. | Apply by the correct scholarship-consideration deadline. |
| International need-based aid | USC says it does not offer need-based financial aid for international applicants. | Prepare financial documentation for at least the first academic year. |
| International testing | International first-year applicants to 2026–27 are not required to submit SAT/ACT, but English proof may still be required. | Use SAT/ACT for English proficiency only if it helps and is allowed. |
Common mistakes that hurt USC applicants
- Only focusing on the 11.2% rate: The number shows difficulty, but it does not build your strategy.
- Choosing the wrong deadline: Performing arts deadlines are different from most majors.
- Submitting weak SAT/ACT scores: Test optional means you can choose strategically.
- Ignoring official score rules: USC requires official scores if you choose to submit.
- Writing a generic Los Angeles essay: LA should connect to your academic or career plan.
- Missing major supplements: Some schools require portfolios, auditions, writing samples or résumés.
- Waiting on recommendation letters: One letter is required, and rushed letters are rarely strong.
- Assuming USC tracks demonstrated interest: USC says it does not track demonstrated interest.
- Forgetting financial aid deadlines: FAFSA and CSS Profile are separate from the Common App.
- International document delay: Financial and English-proficiency documents may take extra time.
Official USC links and sources
The key details are included above so users do not need to leave the page for every answer. Use these official links to verify current instructions before submitting.
Official Fall 2025 applicants, admits, admit rate, yield, aid and review details.
Official EA, ED, RD, performing arts and aid deadline details.
Official SAT/ACT optional policy, official-score rule and testing guidance.
Official international testing, English proficiency and financial documentation notes.
Official GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT ranges and Fall 2024 admission data.
USC first-year applicants submit the Common Application.
FAQs about University of Southern California acceptance rate 2026
What is USC acceptance rate for 2026?
For 2026 planning, USC’s latest official first-year profile lists an 11.2% Fall 2025 admit rate, based on 83,488 applicants and 9,345 admits.
Is USC hard to get into?
Yes. USC is highly selective. An 11.2% admit rate means fewer than 12 out of 100 applicants were admitted in the latest official first-year profile.
What GPA do you need for USC?
There is no guaranteed GPA cutoff, but USC’s 2024–25 CDS reported a 3.80 average high school GPA among enrolled students who submitted GPA.
What SAT score is good for USC?
USC is test optional, but the 2024–25 CDS reported SAT EBRW 710–760 and SAT Math 740–790 among enrolled students who submitted scores.
What ACT score is good for USC?
The USC 2024–25 CDS reported an ACT Composite range of 32–35 among enrolled first-year students who submitted ACT scores.
Is USC test optional for 2026?
Yes. USC says first-year applicants to the 2026–27 academic year are not required to submit SAT or ACT scores, and applicants are not penalized for not submitting.
What is USC Early Action deadline?
USC lists Early Action for most majors as November 1. EA is non-binding and non-restrictive.
Does USC offer Early Decision?
Yes. USC lists Early Decision for most majors as November 1. ED is binding and requires an ED agreement.
Does USC require interviews?
No. USC states that it does not conduct admission interviews and does not track demonstrated interest.
How can I improve my USC application?
Improve your USC application by taking rigorous courses, keeping grades strong, choosing the correct deadline, making a smart test optional decision, writing USC-specific essays, preparing major supplements and submitting aid forms on time.