USC Acceptance Rate For International Students In 2026

The feeling you get when you first learn your favourite artist is performing in your city is unmatched. But then you realise, just like you, thousands of others want tickets, but only a limited number are available. You know getting one won’t be easy, so you are up all night waiting for the ticket sales to begin, preparing your payment details and making sure you’re ready. Applying to the University of Southern California can feel similar. It is a top-ranked private research university and well known for elite film and business programs. Also has a powerful alumni network and a legendary college football team. So, yes, thousands of students like you want to get in. But only a percentage are admitted. 

The USC Acceptance Rate 2026 gives you an idea of how competitive admission is, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Your grades, essays, activities and overall profile also matter. This blog gives you insights on the  USC acceptance rate for international students and USC admission requirements,  USC application deadlines, and tips on how to improve your chances of getting into USC. 

USC Acceptance Rate for International Students in 2026: Quick Overview

How has the USC acceptance rate changed?

If you’re thinking about applying to USC and wondering, “How difficult is it to get in?” The USC Acceptance Rate 2026 is 11.7%. This means USC admitted around 12 out of every 100 applicants to its Fall 2026 first-year class. As of 2026, the university received 79,290 applications and admitted 9,251 students. The acceptance rate is not the only thing that matters. The admitted class had an average GPA of 3.92 out of 4.0, but USC also considers academic preparation, essays, activities, leadership, achievements and personal background through their holistic review process. To understand this better, check out the admission year, the number of applications USC received and the acceptance rate from 2023 to 2026. 

What Does USC Look for in International Applicants?

As an international applicant, you have already thought about how difficult USC admission is and searched for the acceptance rate. However, USC doesn’t just look at your score sheet. They take a holistic approach, which means your application is looked at as a whole. They look at your personal qualities, essays, experiences in leadership, your achievements and activities you participated in. So, in simple words, they want to understand how you made the most of opportunities that were in front of you. To sum this up better, to quote Becky Chassin, Assistant Dean of Admission at UCS, “Remember, there’s a person on the other end of your application; we’re just trying to get to know you.”

USC GPA Requirements

There is no fixed minimum GPA that USC uses for undergraduate admission. Instead, the university looks at your academic performance and the level of coursework available to you. Taking challenging subjects can also work in your favour. As of 2026, students from the Fall 2026 batch have an average GPA of 3.92 out of 4.0. This doesn’t mean you need a 4.0 GPA to apply. You can think of these numbers as a benchmark rather than a cutoff to help you perform better. 

USC SAT Scores and ACT Scores

If you have done well in school but are not confident about your USC SAT score or USC ACT score. You need not worry much. You don’t have to submit these scores. USC follows a test-optional policy, so you can choose whether to include your scores. USC also says that students who apply without test scores are not at a disadvantage when being considered for admission or scholarships. However, if you did perform well on the SAT or ACT, you can send your scores in. Among USC’s admitted students, the middle 50% scored 1490–1550 on the SAT and 33–35 on the ACT. The choice is totally up to you. If your score shows your academic strengths, include it. If you feel it doesn’t represent you well, you can simply leave it out.

USC IELTS and English Language Requirements

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need to prove your English proficiency. For undergraduate applicants, the USC IELTS requirement is 7.0. You can also submit a TOEFL iBT score of 100 for exams taken before January 21, 2026, or a PTE score of 68. USC also accepts the Duolingo English Test, with a minimum score of 130. Graduate English language requirements can vary by programme. So, check the requirements for your specific course before applying.

Your Essays and Personal Profile Matter Too

Like the quote stated above, USC wants to get to know you, and your essay is the right time to show them your true self. So, don’t use your application to simply repeat everything already shown on your transcript. Use your essays and activities to tell USC something new about you. Tell them about a project that caught your attention, or how on days when you least expected it, your leadership role taught you something that stayed with you forever. Or about any activity outside of school that shapes you to be a much better person and makes you want to be the best version of yourself. 

USC Acceptance Rate by Programme & Admission Requirements

Acceptance rates for popular programmes such as Engineering, Computer Science, Business, Cinematic Arts and Arts

If you have made the decision to study at USC, surely you must have thought of looking at Engineering, Business, Computer Science or Cinematic Arts. These are popular choices to study at USC. All these courses have separate acceptance rates. USC does not publish official acceptance rates for individual programs. Instead, its latest first-year profile shows how students are spread across different academic areas. These figures can help you understand where students are studying, but it’s important to remember that they are not programme-wise acceptance rates.

Here’s what students on Quora had to say about the competitiveness of USC’s graduate programmes and why there’s no single acceptance rate to define your chances. 

Quora

What is the acceptance rate for USC graduate programs? I cannot find a straight answer anywhere, only for undergrad

Read discussions and insights from Quora users →

USC Undergraduate Admissions

The University of Southern California (USC) has an overall undergraduate first-year acceptance rate of roughly 11.7%. Students applying straight from high school can apply through the Common Application. They accept the Common Application for USC undergraduate admissions. This application will include your high school transcripts, personal statement, short answers, activities list and a counsellor or teacher recommendation. Some programmes may also ask for additional materials or auditions. If you are an international student, you will need to submit an English proficiency test. If you follow an IB or A-Level curriculum, USC may ask for your predicted examination results. 

USC Graduate Admissions

If you are planning to get your master’s degree at USC, you should be aware that your requirements depend on the programme you choose. You will need a bachelor’s degree, academic transcripts, English proficiency scores, a CV or resume and recommendation letters. Some courses may also ask for GRE or GMAT scores. For example, the requirements for an MS in Computer Science may not be the same as those for an MBA or another graduate programme. USC offers a wide range of master’s, PhD, dual-degree and graduate certificate programmes through its liberal arts college and 20 professional schools. This is why it is important to check the specific USC admission requirements for your chosen course before applying. As an international student, you can follow these steps to apply. Start by reviewing the programme and application requirements, then complete the online application. Then go ahead and pay the application fee. In addition to transcripts and test scores, most USC graduate admission programs require supplemental materials for admission review. After you apply, you will receive your 10-digit USC ID via email within two to three business days of submitting your online application. Make sure to keep this ID handy and make sure to include it in all your communication with USC. Submit required documents and English proficiency scores. Keep a check on your application status 

USC Application Deadlines

If you are planning to apply to the University of Southern California admissions in 2026-2027, keep these dates on your calendar. If you apply early, you can easily be considered for a USC merit scholarship. If you are hoping to earn a USC merit scholarship, keep the November 1 and December 1 2026 deadlines on your radar.

USC Tuition Fees, Scholarships & Financial Aid for International Students

We all know finance is one of the main reasons why students worry or back out of their study abroad dreams. If you are also worried and want to understand how to make your USC application more affordable, the USC merit scholarships are worth checking out. While these scholarships are competitive, more than 1,000 admitted students received scholarships worth $10,000 or more per year. If you’re applying for 2026–27, keep November 1, 2026, December 1, 2026 and January 10, 2027 on your calendar, depending on your programme and application type. One more thing to remember: merit scholarships and need-based financial aid have separate application processes, so you don’t need to submit a need-based financial aid application just to be considered for a USC merit scholarship. Check out the tables below to understand the tuition fees and scholarships for 2026-2027

USC Tuition Fees: 

USC Scholarships: 

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting Into USC

We know looking at the acceptance rate might feel intimidating. So we have compiled a few tips to approach your application and improve your chances to study at USC. 

Build a strong academic record

Your academic record is the foundation of your application. The fall 2026 class has an average GPA of 3.92. This means USC expects its first-year students to demonstrate strong academic performance. 

Choose tests strategically

By now, you already know that SAT and ACT scores are optional. Since USC does not consider students without these scores as a disadvantage, students can choose what they want to show. The best way to understand that is to compare your SAT and ACT scores with USC’s published middle-50% ranges before deciding whether it strengthens your application. 

Make your application personal

USC’s holistic process means that your essays, activities and recommendations must add value to your academic record.  Explain what you did, why you did it, what you learned and how it shaped your goals. They want to know and understand you better and not just your academic scores. So be mindful but real at the same time and show your best version. 

Show depth in your interests

USC wants its students to go beyond basic requirements, explore ideas, challenge themselves and become lifelong learners. That means you do not necessarily need dozens of extracurricular activities. What matters is showing genuine interest and growth through the opportunities that were available to you.

Prepare early

Do not leave your application until the final few weeks. The first-year process for UCS involves transcripts, essays, recommendations, activities and, for some students, English-language test results or additional materials. If you are an international student, you should leave prep well in advance so you have enough time to arrange your documents, take any required English-language tests, collect recommendation letters and review your application before the deadline. 

Conclusion 

Choosing the right university can feel overwhelming, especially when you are applying from another country. This guide has walked you through the USC Acceptance Rate 2026, admission requirements, GPA and test score expectations, English language requirements, application deadlines, tuition fees and scholarship options. You now have a clearer idea of what USC looks for and how you can prepare a stronger application to study at USC. Just like preparing your USC application, finding the right student accommodation needs some research too. UniAcco is your one-stop place for student accommodation. It brings verified student properties into one place, helping you compare locations, room types, prices, facilities and more.

Frequent Asked Questions