The University of Southern California might be known to some of our readers as the University of Spoiled Children, where the scion of major celebrities often choose to enroll over more prestigious schools on the East Coast. But make no mistake: USC is an academic powerhouse that routinely rejects students with perfect 4.0s. As a matter of fact, even those with impeccable academic records still must showcase a singular hook to stand a chance of making it onto this glimmering Californian campus. For the University of Southern California Class of 2028, 27% of students boasted a perfect 4.0 GPA in high school. 

Is there a minimum GPA requirement for admission to USC? What kind of GPA does a student need when applying to the University of Southern California? Though the data for the USC Classes of 2029 and 2030 are not yet available, we can get a good picture by looking at the data from the three prior admissions cycles:

University of Southern California Admissions Rate

First, let’s review the past acceptance rates. The acceptance rate for the USC Class of 2029 was 10.4%, which is certainly not to be scoffed at. The prior year saw a 9.8% acceptance rate, which holds the current record for the lowest acceptance rate in the school’s history. For the USC Class of 2027, an even 10% of applicants got lucky enough to earn admission.

What is a Good GPA for Getting into the University of Southern California?

GPA Percentage of the USC Class of 2028

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of the University of Southern California’s Class of 2028, as reported in USC’s 2024-25 Common Data Set. These numbers should provide more clarity on the academic qualifications for future USC applicants.

GPA	Percentage of USC’s Class of 2028
4.0	27.1%
3.75-3.99	51%
3.5-3.74	15.3%
3.25-3.49	4%
3.0-3.24	1.6%
2.5-2.99	0.7%
2.0-2.49	0.3%
1.0-1.99	0%

GPA Percentage of the USC Class of 2027

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of the University of Southern California’s Class of 2027, as reported in USC’s 2023-24 Common Data Set.

GPA	Percentage of USC’s Class of 2027
4.0	31.0%
3.75-3.99	49.2%
3.5-3.74	14.4%
3.25-3.49	3.4%
3.0-3.24	1.3%
2.5-2.99	1.3%
2.0-2.49	0.5%
1.0-1.99	0.2%

GPA Percentage of the USC Class of 2026

The following is the GPA breakdown of the USC Class of 2026.

GPA	Percentage of USC’s Class of 2026
4.0	31.77%
3.75-3.99	51.77%
3.5-3.74	11.91%
3.25-3.49	2.64%
3.0-3.24	1.26%
2.5-2.99	0.53%
2.0-2.49	0.09%
1.0-1.99	0.03%

GPA Percentage of the USC Class of 2025

The following is the GPA breakdown of the USC Class of 2025.

GPA	Percentage of USC’s Class of 2025
4.0	26.25%
3.75-3.99	49.67%
3.5-3.74	16.57%
3.25-3.49	4.73%
3.0-3.24	1.59%
2.5-2.99	1.06%
2.0-2.49	0.13%
1.0-1.99	0.00%

Further Context on GPAs of University of Southern California Students

A little less than a third of the University of Southern California’s Class of 2028 achieved perfect GPAs, and almost all of the rest graduated with GPAs of more than 3.75. Still, there are plenty of other factors to consider.

USC’s admissions process is holistic, going well beyond grades and test scores. Candidates are evaluated based on their high school performance, coursework rigor, extracurricular activities, essays, and letters of recommendation. Strong grades and test scores are important, but qualitative factors are essential in the decision-making process.

Can I Get into the University of Southern California with a Low GPA?

While USC does not maintain an official GPA requirement for admission, it’s important to remember that great grades constitute a significant part of a successful USC application. As far as elite colleges go, USC is on the more lenient side when it comes to admissions. 6.7% of admitted applicants to the Class of 2027 had a GPA below 3.5, which may not sound like much, but is still a significantly higher proportion than can be found at comparable schools. However, those select few who do get in with poor grades likely have some edge that gives them a boost, such as being development cases, recruited athletes, or the children of alumni. Admissions officers at USC often overlook the poor academic performance of these students because their admission benefits the institution as a whole.

How Ivy Coach Can Gauge Your Child’s Chances at the University of Southern California

Ivy Coach’s expert team of former college admissions officers has a strong track record with USC applicants. Sign up for a Strategy Session to assess your child’s admission potential and receive a tailored plan to optimize their odds of acceptance. To learn more about Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll contact you.