USC Acceptance Rate (2026): Early, Regular & Deferral

How selective is USC?

USC is considered a highly competitive college given its acceptance rate and first-year profile of admitted students. USC’s 2026 first-year student profile reflects just how competitive applicants were in the most recent admissions cycle:

• Middle 50% GPA (unweighted, 4.00 scale) was 3.89 – 4.00
• 57% of admitted students submitted an SAT or ACT score
• Middle 50% SAT (super-scored) was 1490 – 1550
• Middle 50% ACT (super-scored) was 33 – 35

USC has always been considered a more selective institution, with a reported 17.6% acceptance rate a decade ago. That said, USC is no longer a target school for some and a reach school for others. Recent admissions data paint a clear picture; USC is now a highly selective and reach school for every student.

What is USC’s acceptance rate by year?

For the 2025-2026 (Class of 2030) admissions cycle, USC reported an acceptance rate of 11%, a 1.2% increase from the previous year. Of the 83,488 students who applied, only 9,345 were accepted.

Comparing the numbers to previous years, USC has reported a gradual increase in the number of applications and admitted students. Despite more students competing for admission, it seems that USC is increasing the number of available seats in recent years.

What is USC’s early action acceptance rate?

For the Class of 2030 (2026), USC’s Early Action (EA) acceptance rate was approximately 9.5%, admitting only 3,800 of over 40,000 students who applied in the early round. USC’s data suggests that although it is still considerably difficult to gain admission to USC, there is a meaningful advantage to applying early.

Of the total number of admitted students (9,345), approximately 40.6% of the class was admitted in the early round. This leaves even fewer seats available for those students applying during the regular round of admissions in January.

Since USC’s EA option is a non-binding commitment, students should consider applying early to increase their odds of admission. That is, as long as their college application is in a position to submit in November.

Does USC have early decision?

For the 2026-2027 application cycle, USC has Early Decision (ED) for most programs. The deadline for students to submit ED applications is November 1, with decisions released around the middle of December. However, USC will only begin reporting on ED acceptance rates and admissions data starting in 2027.

What are USC’s admission requirements?

GPA

The Class of 2030’s student profile reflects the most competitive and academically accomplished freshman classes in USC history.

USC’s admitted class of 2030 had an average grade point average of 3.92, 0.02 points higher than last year’s class and an all-time high for the university.

Standardized Test Scores

USC is currently test-optional through the 2026-2027 academic year. USC has yet to release a full admissions report of its Class of 2030 student profile, but historical data reflects that the majority of admitted students opted out of submitting test scores. In the 2024-2025 cycle, only 30% of enrolled students submitted SAT scores and 12% submitted ACT scores.

Among those who did submit scores, the average SAT score was approximately 1500, and the median ACT score was 33.

However, USC’s Admissions Dean, Timothy Brunold, did report that the most recent incoming class has raised the bar in academic performance. “The academic strength of this admitted class is truly exceptional, with a record-high average GPA and standardized test scores among the strongest in our history.”

Personal Qualities

Getting accepted into USC will take more than just strong grades and test scores. Although academic performance carries the most weight in the various factors USC considers when evaluating students, their holistic review process also considers a student’s performance in the essay section, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, talent and ability, and character.

What is USC’s transfer acceptance rate?

USC’s transfer acceptance rate is currently 21.6%, based on the most complete admissions data set from 2024-2025. Despite being considerably higher than the overall rate, USC’s historical data is pointing to a more selective admissions process for transfer students.

USC’s transfer acceptance rate dropped 2.8% from the previous year as the college saw 1,571 more application submissions. The transfer pathway to USC is on the rise, but the growing popularity may start to dwindle. Even with an uptick in application submissions, enrollment numbers have held steady. If more students start taking the transfer route to USC, without an increase in enrollment numbers, future applicants may see a competitive admissions process matching that of first-year students.

How to strengthen your USC college application: 5 expert tips

With a single-digit acceptance rate, there is no magic formula to gain admission, but there are clear patterns among successful applicants. Here is how students can maximize their chances of acceptance at USC.

Don’t just aim for a high GPA. Be sure to take the most challenging courses available and show academic progression throughout high school. This demonstrates intellectual curiosity and a student’s ability to perform at the college level.

2. Take the supplemental essay questions seriously.

USC requires every applicant to submit 2 or 3 supplemental essays of up to 250 words. USC’s supplemental essay prompts aim to find out two key things: who you are and why you want to attend USC. Take the time to research your chosen program and reflect on your high school experiences. Be succinct and authentic in your responses.

3. Apply Early Decision or Early Action

If USC is your first-choice college and you’re a student in a position to submit your college application early, consider applying ED. USC’s 2025-2026 early and regular acceptance rates paint a clear picture; your chances of acceptance are higher if you apply early.

If you’re unsure about USC being the top college for you, applying EA still has numerous benefits and can potentially increase your chances of acceptance.

Some students focus on academics and fail to give the same attention to other aspects of their college application, particularly letters of recommendation. According to the USC Common Data Set, letters of recommendation are one of the five most important factors that go into determining if a student will be accepted or not. Be sure to ask teachers who can add value to your application and give a positive recommendation about your character, growth, and potential.

Although USC is test-optional for the 2026-2027 application cycle, we highly recommend students submit their test scores if they are in a position to do so. Not only does USC emphasize standardized test scores as one of the top five factors they consider most important in the review process, but a strong test score can add value to one’s college application or balance out outliers in their academic profile.

Frequently asked questions

USC has become a popular college choice for many students, and with the increased popularity and competitive applicant pool, USC is officially a reach college for 99% of students. This means that simply meeting USC’s admissions criteria is not enough to stand out to college admissions officers. Students interested in applying to USC should consider every aspect of their application, focusing equal attention on academics, essays, extracurriculars, and recommendations.

How Collegewise can help

Collegewise's USC acceptance rate for the Class of 2030 was 25%. Collegewise students are 2x more likely to be admitted to USC than the general applicant, who faces an 11% acceptance rate. 

Our targeted 1:1 college counseling offers families strategic college planning, admissions support, essay coaching, extracurricular enhancement opportunities, and much more. Our holistic approach to college counseling prioritizes building the whole student to ensure they not only receive a college acceptance, but the confidence to excel in their post-secondary education. Collegewise's "Hive Mind" gives students a blend of personalized college counseling and the expertise of over 120+ former admissions officers, application readers, and educational professionals. 

Learn more about how Collegewise can help you craft a compelling USC college application. Start with a free consultation.