Is USC test optional?

Yes. You can apply without a score. A common rule is to send it if it's at or above 1510 and hold it if it's under.

What is USC's acceptance rate?

10% of applicants were admitted in 2025–26, according to the college's Common Data Set or, where that's missing, IPEDS, the federal college survey. In fall 2024, 8,050 of 82,027 applicants were admitted. Applications rose 58%, from 51,924 in 2015 to 82,027 in 2024, and USC's admit rate went from 18% to 10%.

What ACT score do you need for USC?

12% of first-year students sent an ACT, and they scored 32–35, with a median of 33. On the official ACT–SAT concordance, their SAT range of 1470–1540 works out to about 33–35.

Why might USC's SAT range look high?

Only 33% of enrolled students sent an SAT. The range counts only those who did, and students with lower scores tend to hold theirs back.

What GPA do you need for USC?

There's no published cutoff. First-year students averaged a 3.85 high school GPA, and 69% of those who reported a class rank were in their top 10%, per the Common Data Set 2025–26. Colleges compute GPA differently, so compare it loosely.

All colleges

What SAT score do you need for USC? (Middle 50%: 1470–1540)

First-year students at USC who sent an SAT scored 1470–1540, with a median of 1510 (Common Data Set 2025–26). USC admits 10% of applicants and is test optional.

University of Southern California · Los Angeles, CA

Where your score lands at USC

First-year students who sent an SAT: 1470–1540, median 1510

Your score

Middle 50% of admitted students Median Fewer than half sent a score, so the range runs high

Enter your SAT or ACT to see which tier USC is for you and whether to send your score.

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USC by the numbers

Admit rate: 10%
Middle 50% SAT: 1470–1540
Median SAT: 1510
About on the ACT: 33–35
Sent an SAT: 33%

Test optional · checked Nov 9, 2026 · USC admissions · SAT range from the Common Data Set, 2025–26; admit rate from it or IPEDS

USC admit rate over 10 years

Applications rose 58%, from 51,924 in 2015 to 82,027 in 2024, and USC's admit rate went from 18% to 10%.

Show the numbers

Fall	Applied	Admitted	Admit rate
2024	82,027	8,050	10%
2023	80,808	8,094	10%
2022	69,062	8,304	12%
2021	71,031	8,884	13%
2020	59,712	9,618	16%
2019	66,198	7,558	11%
2018	64,352	8,339	13%
2017	56,676	9,042	16%
2016	54,280	9,022	17%
2015	51,924	9,181	18%

In fall 2024, 3,489 of the 8,050 admitted students enrolled. Applicants and admits from IPEDS, the federal college survey, by fall of entry.

What each SAT score means at USC

Which tier your score puts them in, and whether it's worth sending.

Your SATTierSend it?

Under 1510Far reachHold
1510–1530Far reachSend
1540 and upReachSend

1300135014001450150015501600

Tiers here use only your SAT and their admit rate. Essays, activities and recommendations still decide most admissions at selective colleges.

USC SAT sections, ACT, GPA and class rank

Scores of enrolled first-year students who sent one, by percentile.

Test	25th	Median	75th
SAT Math	740	780	790
SAT Reading and Writing	720	740	760
SAT total	1470	1510	1540
ACT composite	32	33	35

Of enrolled first-year students, 33% sent an SAT and 12% sent an ACT. Common Data Set 2025–26.

Average high school GPA: 3.85; 100% of new students reported one
Top 10% of their class: 69%; of new students who reported a rank

USC cost and outcomes

What students pay after grants, how many finish, and what they earn.

Average net price: $32,740; per year, after grants
Graduate in 6 years: 92%
Median earnings: $92,498; 10 years after starting
Undergraduates: 22,835

College Scorecard, 2022–23, from the US Department of Education. Net price averages federal-aid students across family incomes.

Colleges like USC

Similar SAT ranges and admit rates.

Sources

USC Common Data Set 2025–26
SAT and ACT ranges, early decision, waitlist, GPA and class rank, as the college reported them.
College Navigator (IPEDS)
Applications, admissions and enrollment by year, from the federal college survey.
College Scorecard
Net price, graduation rate and earnings, from the US Department of Education.
USC admissions
Test policy for 2026–27, checked Nov 9, 2026.
USC website
University of Southern California

Updated Nov 9, 2026. Spot a number that's off? Email support@tryashore.com and we'll check it against the source.

Questions

Still have a question? support@tryashore.com

There's no cutoff. The middle 50% of first-year students who sent an SAT scored 1470–1540, and the median was 1510. At 1510 or higher you're above half of them. USC admits 10% of applicants, so a top score keeps you in the running but doesn't decide it.

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SAT Math · 1 of 5

Calculator allowed

A jacket's price is increased by 20% and then the new price is decreased by 20%. The final price is what percent of the original price?

A $96\%$
B $100\%$
C $104\%$
D $80\%$