How to Get Into USC: 12.6% Acceptance Rate, New Early Decision and Merit Deadlines

What is the USC acceptance rate?

USC’s first-year student profile for fall 2026 reports 79,331 applicants, 10,006 admits (“12.6% admitted”) and 3,766 enrolled students (USC Admission, What We Look For). USC’s March 26, 2026 announcement reported 9,251 admits from 79,290 applicants, 11.7% (USC Today); in our reading, the higher profile count includes students admitted after March. Earlier years in the table come from the Common Data Set, and the fall 2026 Common Data Set will give the final count on that basis.

For fall 2026, USC received fewer applications than the year before and admitted more students, so by the profile figures its rate rose from 11.2% to 12.6%; USC has not explained the change in the sources we reviewed. By residency, the Common Data Set 2025-2026 (fall 2025 entering class) shows 3,692 of 32,499 California applicants admitted (11.4%), 3,378 of 34,374 out-of-state applicants (9.8%) and 2,275 of 16,615 international applicants (13.7%), by our calculation.

Our USC acceptance rate analysis covers the numbers in more detail.

How does USC Early Decision work?

Early Decision is new for nearly all USC programs this cycle. The provost wrote on February 9, 2026 that “After a successful pilot that occurred this past fall within the Marshall School of Business,” the university “will offer an Early Decision option to nearly all undergraduate programs” (USC Office of the Provost). USC’s deadline FAQ asks “Why is USC introducing an Early Decision option now?” USC answers that “This initiative is a response to strong demand from students who are eager to commit to USC as their first choice and want to complete the admission process sooner” (USC Admission, deadline FAQs).

On its first-year page, USC states that “ED is binding” and that students “may not apply ED to any other college or university and, if admitted, must enroll at USC and withdraw any outstanding applications to other schools.” It adds that “We expect to admit ED applicants to their first-choice major,” and that “In the rare cases where a student is offered admission in the Early Decision round to a major other than their first-choice, they will not be subject to the binding terms of the ED agreement.” “Early Action (EA) is non-binding and non-restrictive” (USC Admission, first-year students).

Performing arts programs in the Kaufman School of Dance, the School of Dramatic Arts and the Thornton School of Music do not take Early Decision or Early Action, and the World Bachelor in Business takes only the November 1 deadline. USC has not yet published admit rates for its first university-wide Early Decision round, so in our view no applicant should assume a particular Early Decision advantage. USC says students not admitted early will be deferred, or given the chance to defer, to Regular Decision, and that “We do not expect to turn away students in early rounds” (USC Admission, deadline FAQs).

When are the USC deadlines for fall 2027?

Does USC require the SAT or ACT?

No. USC states: “USC will continue our test-optional policy for the upcoming year, meaning that first-year applicants to the 2027-28 academic year are not required to send SAT or ACT scores to apply” (USC Admission, international students). For students who do submit, “The highest scores for each section of the SAT and ACT exams will be recorded, even if achieved in different sittings,” and USC requires official scores (USC Admission, first-year students).

In the Common Data Set 2025-2026, which describes the fall 2025 entering class, 33% of enrolled students submitted the SAT and 12% the ACT. Among those who submitted, the middle 50% ranges were 1470 to 1540 (median 1510) and 32 to 35, and the average high school GPA of the class was 3.85. In our view, a score at or above the 1510 median is usually worth sending. Our analysis of whether USC requires the SAT covers the policy in more detail.

What does USC look for in applicants?

In its Common Data Set 2025-2026, USC rates the rigor of the secondary school record, GPA, the application essay, recommendations and character or personal qualities as very important; extracurricular activities and talent or ability as important; and standardized test scores, first-generation status, alumni relation, volunteer work and work experience as considered. It does not consider class rank, the interview, geographic or state residency, religious affiliation or the level of applicant interest (USC Common Data Set 2025-2026). Compared with the 2024-2025 edition, test scores moved from very important to considered, and character moved from important to very important (USC Common Data Set 2024-2025). USC also says that “Careful attention is paid to preparation for the intended major” (USC Admission, What We Look For).

USC states that “The Office of Undergraduate Admission does not conduct admission interviews, nor do we track any form of demonstrated interest in our process” (USC Admission, first-year students). In our view, because admission is read in the context of the intended major, the essays and activities should make the case for that major specifically.

What are the USC writing and major requirements?

Applicants apply to USC through the Common Application, and its Apply Now page lists a personal essay, an academic interest short answer, the activities list and quick takes (USC Admission, Apply Now). Students applying to majors in the Iovine and Young Academy, the School of Architecture, the Roski School of Art and Design, the School of Cinematic Arts, the Kaufman School of Dance, the School of Dramatic Arts, the Thornton School of Music and the Marshall School of Business (World Bachelor in Business) have additional requirements, such as a portfolio, a résumé, writing samples or an audition, according to USC’s first-year students page. Our guide to what USC is known for describes these schools and programs.

How does financial aid work at USC?

USC says it “is need-blind in its admission process for domestic students” (USC Admission, What We Look For), and that “Incoming first-year students from U.S. families with an annual income of $80,000 or less with typical assets can attend USC tuition free” (USC Admission, financial aid and scholarships). USC “does not offer need-based financial aid for international applicants” (USC Admission, international students).

For merit aid, USC says that “Students applying by November 1 or December 1 will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships” (USC Admission, Apply Now), so in our view a student who hopes for merit aid should not wait for the January 10 Regular Decision deadline. USC reports that about 10% of the fall 2026 entering class received a merit-based scholarship. Our guides to USC merit scholarships and to merit scholarships for upper-middle-income families cover the awards and how merit aid fits into a college list.

What does the USC acceptance rate mean for applicants?

In the view of Oriel Admissions, USC is a reach for most applicants at a 12.6% rate, and the new Early Decision option makes the choice of round more consequential than in past years, because Early Decision is a binding commitment and closes on the same November 1 date as Early Action and the merit scholarship deadline. Families comparing early plans can read our Early Decision versus Regular Decision analysis and our guide to getting into USC Marshall.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting Into USC

Sources: USC Admission, What We Look For, USC Admission, first-year students, USC Admission, Apply Now, USC Admission, deadline FAQs, USC Admission, international students, USC Admission, financial aid and scholarships, USC Common Data Set 2025-2026, USC Common Data Set 2024-2025, USC Common Data Set 2023-2024. All read October 26, 2026.

About Oriel Admissions

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