University of Southern California
California, United States
Founded1880
Campus308 acres
Research$1.0B
Students21,000 UG / 25,000 PG
Acceptance11.0%
Faculty4,400
Updated February 6, 2026
Overview
Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California (USC) is the oldest private research university on the West Coast of the United States. Located in Los Angeles, the institution operates under the motto "Palmam Qui Meruit Ferat" ("Let him who has earned it bear the palm"). It has evolved into a global institution known for its high-caliber research, interdisciplinary approach, and the "Trojan Family" culture.
The university is organized into 23 schools and divisions, offering over 150 majors and 250 minors to a student body of approximately 46,000 to 49,000. USC is a major regional employer and a pioneer in various fields, recently launching the School of Advanced Computing as part of its $1 billion Frontiers of Computing initiative.
Location
USC maintains two primary campuses in Los Angeles. The University Park Campus (UPC) spans 229 acres and houses the majority of academic schools, the USC Village residential and retail space, and twelve buildings designated as Historic Cultural Monuments. The Health Sciences Campus (HSC) covers 79 acres northeast of downtown and serves as the hub for medical instruction, research, and three teaching hospitals.
Beyond its main Los Angeles presence, the university operates the Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island and a Capital Campus in Washington, D.C. To support its global mission, USC maintains eight international offices in major cities including Beijing, London, Seoul, and Mumbai.
Los Angeles, United States
Campuses
Main Campus
MainLos Angeles· United States
Campus Culture
The "Trojan" identity is central to student life at USC, supported by over 1,000 student organizations and a robust athletic program that has claimed more than 100 NCAA titles. Iconic symbols of university spirit include the Spirit of Troy (the Trojan Marching Band) and the mascot horse, Traveler. The university also offers rich cultural resources, including the USC Fisher Museum of Art, the USC Pacific Asia Museum, and the ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives.
USC hosts one of the most diverse student populations in the United States, with scholars representing all 50 states and over 150 countries. Approximately 26% of the student body is international, with the largest contingents arriving from China, India, Canada, Taiwan, and South Korea. The university is committed to accessibility, operating as a need-blind institution for domestic undergraduate applicants and ensuring that 21-23% of the Fall 2025 freshman class are first-generation college attendees.
Notable Alumni
The university is characterized by its "Trojan Family" culture, which encompasses a worldwide network of more than 500,000 alumni. This extensive professional network is a hallmark of the USC experience, providing graduates with global connections. The university's impact is further evidenced by its career outcomes, such as the Keck School of Medicine reporting a 97.4% Match rate for MD students in 2025.
Rankings
USC is consistently ranked among the top 25 universities in the United States. Several of its individual schools hold prestigious national reputations; the School of Cinematic Arts is frequently cited as the top film school in the country, and the Marshall School of Business is ranked in the national top 25. Additionally, the Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism’s Public Relations program has been recognized as the top program in the U.S. by PRWeek.
The university's prestige is further reflected in its faculty and selective admissions. The faculty includes six Nobel laureates, numerous MacArthur Fellows, and members of the National Academies. For the Fall 2025 freshman class, the university maintained a highly competitive acceptance rate of approximately 11-12% from a pool of over 83,000 applications.
Research
As a leader in federally funded research, USC's annual research expenditures exceed $1 billion. The university's research spans a wide spectrum, with the Dornsife College alone housing 66 research centers and institutes. USC is a pioneer in quantum computing, housing the first IBM Quantum Innovation Center on the West Coast and the USC Lockheed Martin Quantum Computing Center.
The university is also focused on innovation and sustainability through its "Assignment: Earth" framework, which targets carbon neutrality by 2025. Research and community impact are closely linked at USC, which invests $35 million annually in community initiatives and maintains one of the nation's oldest service-learning programs, the Joint Educational Project.