University of Southern California SAT scores and admissions
Los Angeles, CA · Private non-profit · Doctoral / R1 research university
The figures above are the stored federal Scorecard snapshot, imported April 25, 2026. Its fields can cover different reporting years. Current university profiles below can describe a different cohort or applicant group.
How USC compares
- Its SAT rank in the stored federal dataset is #12 of 197 US colleges with published SAT ranges in this snapshot and #3 of 5 in CA.
- Its 10% acceptance rate is more selective than 96% of the 197 colleges in the same ranked pool.
- Reported section midpoints skew 40 points toward Math (760 Math vs 720 Reading and Writing).
- Median earnings 10 years after entry ($92,498) are $29,432 above the $63,066 median across that pool.
What the numbers say about USC
- The reported middle 50% spans 100 points, from 1450 to 1550. A planning score near or above 1590 gives you a target above that historical range, not an admission guarantee.
- The reported section midpoints are 720 Reading and Writing and 760 Math. Use the lower section as the first place to look for recoverable points in your own score split.
- The Scorecard snapshot reports a 10% acceptance rate. That rate describes a past applicant pool and should not be read as your personal admission probability.
- Reported outcomes include a 92% completion rate and $92,498 in median earnings 10 years after entry. Compare those figures with cost and program fit, not in isolation.
Tuition and outcomes
Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Documentation version September 2025; our snapshot imported April 25, 2026. Scorecard fields can come from different reporting years, and this snapshot does not encode one universal data year. SAT totals are rounded to the nearest valid 10 points. Tuition excludes room, board, fees, and books. Read the methodology.
How your SAT score lines up
The Scorecard snapshot places the middle 50% of reported scores between 1450 and 1550. This is descriptive data, not an admission threshold or probability estimate.
- 1590 SAT planning target: Above the reported middle-50% range, not an admission guarantee.
- 1550 SAT (reported 75th percentile): At the upper end of the reported middle-50% range.
- 1500 SAT (range midpoint): Within the reported range; not a measured median.
- 1450 SAT (reported 25th percentile): At the lower end of the reported middle-50% range.
Strong relative score
At the upper end of the reported range. Consider submitting if the current policy accepts scores.
Within the reported range
Compare your exact position, section split, and the rest of your academic record.
Below the reported range
Check the current testing policy before deciding whether to withhold the score or retake.
Colleges with similar SAT scores
Ranked by proximity to USC's reported SAT midpoint. Similar scores do not imply similar programs, cost, or admission odds.
Scroll horizontally to view all columns →
| College | Location | SAT middle 50% | Acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlebury College | Middlebury, VT | 1450–1550 | 11% |
| Washington and Lee University | Lexington, VA | 1430–1540 | 14% |
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill, MA | 1440–1540 | 16% |
| Bowdoin College | Brunswick, ME | 1470–1550 | 7% |
| Carleton College | Northfield, MN | 1450–1560 | 20% |
| Wellesley College | Wellesley, MA | 1460–1560 | 14% |
Questions about USC
What SAT score do I need for USC?
University of Southern California's Scorecard snapshot shows a middle-50% SAT range of 1450–1550, rounded to valid 10-point totals. 1590 is a planning target above the reported range, not an admission cutoff.
What is USC's acceptance rate?
University of Southern California's historical College Scorecard snapshot reports approximately 10%. This is a past institution-wide applicant pool, not an individual admission probability.
How much does it cost to attend USC?
Historical published tuition is approximately $72,097 per year (excludes room, board, fees).
Is USC test-optional?
The College Scorecard does not record testing policy, and this page has not checked University of Southern California's current rule. Confirm whether it is test-optional, test-required, or test-blind on its admissions page before you apply.