University of Southern California SAT and ACT scores
Los Angeles, CA · private college · 21,023 undergraduates. These are the scores of first-year students who sent them; the college is test-optional, so students with lower scores often don't send them.
Updated October 29, 2026 · College Scorecard data release 06/10/2026
Test policy and the CLT
- SAT and ACT: Test-optional (considered, not required), as University of Southern California reports it to the federal government. Check the college's admissions site for this year's rule.
- CLT: Not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Type a score to see how it compares with the middle 50% here.
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Questions people ask
What SAT score do you need for University of Southern California?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent SAT scores to University of Southern California scored 1450 to 1550, with an average of 1495. A score at or above 1500 puts you in the upper half of that range. Scores below the range don't rule you out, but they make the rest of the application matter more.
What ACT score do you need for University of Southern California?
The middle 50% of first-year students who sent ACT scores scored 32 to 35. A 35 or higher puts you in the top quarter of students who sent ACT scores.
Does University of Southern California require the SAT or ACT?
University of Southern California reports its test policy to the federal government as "Considered but not required". Policies change from year to year, so confirm on the college's admissions website before you apply.
Does University of Southern California accept the CLT?
University of Southern California is not on the CLT's list of partner colleges as of October 29, 2026. Ask its admissions office before sending CLT scores.
Colleges in California with similar scores
- Scripps CollegeSAT 1440–1540
- Claremont McKenna CollegeSAT 1470–1560
- Pomona CollegeSAT 1490–1560
- Northeastern University OaklandSAT 1420–1520
- Harvey Mudd CollegeSAT 1500–1570
Colleges elsewhere with similar scores
- Hamilton CollegeSAT 1450–1550
- Vassar CollegeSAT 1450–1550
- Middlebury CollegeSAT 1445–1550
- Carleton CollegeSAT 1450–1560
- Colby CollegeSAT 1460–1550
- Haverford CollegeSAT 1460–1550
More about University of Southern California
Sources
- U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard: University of Southern California (data release 06/10/2026; scores and test policy as reported by the college to IPEDS)
- Classic Learning Test, colleges that accept the CLT, read October 29, 2026
- CLT and SAT concordance and CLT and ACT concordance, read October 29, 2026