2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$26,021
Net Price
13%
Admitted
41%
Enrolled
92%
Graduation Rate
9/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
University of Southern California
is a private not-for-profit, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 49,318. In 2021, there were 1,529 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #4 in California and ranks #29 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, Doctor
Psychology Graduates
1,529
Total Enrollment
49,318
Type
Private Not-for-profit, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
WASC Senior College and University Commission
Ranking for University of Southern California
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
California Rank
Combining ranking factors for 82 schools that offer psychology degrees in California, University of Southern California ranks #4.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., University of Southern California ranks #29.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, University of Southern California offers General Psychology at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers Applied Psychology, Counseling and Applied Psychology, General Psychology, Marriage and Family Therapy and Social Work. At the doctorate level Research Psychology and Social Work are offered.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA | PhD |
| Applied Psychology | – | 104 | – |
| Counseling and Applied Psychology | – | 116 | – |
| General Psychology | 166 | 11 | – |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | – | 42 | – |
| Research Psychology | – | – | 9 |
| Social Work | – | 888 | 193 |
| Total Graduates | 166 | 1,161 | 202 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 71,031 students applied to the University of Southern California. The university admitted 13% and 41% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for California universities is 21,883. On average, all California institutions admit 64% and 22% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of University of Southern California students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 96%. Compared to all California four or more years colleges, the percentage is 72%.
The overall graduation rate for University of Southern California is 92%, compared to 66% for all California universities.
Compare USC to California Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of University of Southern California to the average of all California four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
USC
71,031
Applicants
13%
Percent Admitted
41%
Percent Enrolled
96%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
92%
Graduation Rate
CA Colleges
21,883
Applicants
64%
Percent Admitted
22%
Percent Enrolled
72%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
66%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 4,531 or 69% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 2,019 or 31% part-time faculty members employed at University of Southern California. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 2,394 or 37%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
USC
9 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
69%
Percent Full-Time
31%
Percent Part-Time
37%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
CA Colleges
19 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
40%
Percent Full-Time
60%
Percent Part-Time
39%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at University of Southern California the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $60,446, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,200.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $60,446 and the average cost for graduate fees is $950.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend University of Southern California in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for University of Southern California | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $16,732 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $2,224 |
| Total Living Expenses | $18,956 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $60,446 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,200 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $80,602 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $60,446 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $950 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $61,396 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend University of Southern California is $26,021. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Compare University of Southern California to all California universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
USC
$80,602
Cost to Attend
$41,493
Average Financial Aid
76%
Percent Receiving Aid
$26,021
Net Price
CA Colleges
$33,186
Cost to Attend
$9,615
Average Financial Aid
80%
Percent Receiving Aid
$14,526
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 2,614 or 76%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 13,306 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $41,493.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 13,306 | $41,493 |
| Pell Grants | 4,140 | $4,881 |
| Federal Student Loans | 4,513 | $5,958 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the University of Southern California to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
USC
13,306
Grant or Scholarship Aid
61%
Grants or Scholarships
4,140
Number of Pell Grants
19%
Pell Grants
4,513
Federal Student Loans
21%
Federal Student Loans
CA Colleges
6,293
Grant or Scholarship Aid
60%
Grants or Scholarships
3,062
Number of Pell Grants
29%
Pell Grants
1,114
Federal Student Loans
11%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for California.
