Rankings of University of Southern California

Established in 1880, the University of Southern California is the oldest private research institution of higher education in the state of California. USC ranks very highly both nationally and abroad and their faculty roster reads like a who’s who list of the last 60 years in almost every field. Admission to Southern Cal is highly selective so competition is fierce. Obvious social perks aside, living in L.A. puts students at the centre of everything, in just the right place for starting out after graduation.

Latest ranking updates for University of Southern California
  • March 2024: Scimago Institutions Rankings update. University of Southern California achieves place 78.
  • January 2024: THE Times Higher Education, UK announced latest results of THE World’s Most International Universities with University of Southern California in position 99.
  • December 2023: University of Southern California ranks 115 in the latest URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance from Urap .
  • December 2023: ShanghaiRanking Consultancy announced latest results of Global Ranking of Sport Science Schools and Departments - ShanghaiRanking (Sport Science) with University of Southern California in position 151.

University rankings

    • #19 
    • #19 
    Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings
    [Published 14 September, 2021]
    • #30 
    • #74 
    THE World University Rankings
    [Published 27 September, 2023]
    • #29 
    • #116 
    QS World University Rankings
    [Published 27 June, 2023]
    • #22 
    • #59 
    QS Employability Rankings
    [Published 23 September, 2021]
    • #34 
    • #166 
    THE Global Employability University Ranking
    [Published 23 November, 2022]
    • #7 
    • #8 
    Reuters Most Innovative Universities
    [Published 23 October, 2019]
    • #31 
    • #28 
    US News Best National Universities
    [Published 17 September, 2023]
    • #39 
    • #91 
    THE World Reputation Rankings
    [Published 27 July, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #21 
    Forbes: America's Top Colleges
    [Published 30 August, 2022]
    • #56 
    • #55 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (Bachelors only)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #38 
    • #80 
    US News: Best Global Universities
    [Published 24 October, 2022]
    • #32 
    • #58 
    ARWU Academic Ranking of World Universities - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 15 August, 2023]
    • #52 
    • #52 
    Washington Monthly - National Universities
    [Published 28 August, 2022]
    • #25 
    • #99 
    THE World’s Most International Universities
    [Published 25 January, 2024]
    • #116 
    • #116 
    Kiplinger's Best College Values
    [Published 31 July, 2019]
    • #33 
    • #100 
    CWTS Leiden Ranking
    [Published 22 June, 2022]
    • #27 
    • #78 
    Scimago Institutions Rankings
    [Published 06 March, 2024]
    • #28 
    • #50 
    CWUR Center for World University Rankings
    [Published 25 April, 2022]
    • #32 
    • #32 
    MONEY: Best Selective Colleges
    [Published 16 May, 2022]
    • #34 
    • #85 
    Nature Index - Academic
    [Published 15 June, 2023]
    • #33 
    • #89 
    NTU Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #31 
    • #115 
    URAP World Ranking - University Ranking by Academic Performance
    [Published 19 December, 2023]
    • #17 
    • #25 
    RUR World University Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #28 
    • #41 
    RUR Reputation Ranking
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #16 
    • #22 
    RUR Academic Rankings
    [Published 25 May, 2023]
    • #63 
    • #77 
    StuDocu World University Ranking - US & Canada
    [Published 06 September, 2021]
    • #59 
    • #59 
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Universities (All Alumni)
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #21 
    • #24 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 Universities in the World
    [Published 11 August, 2022]
    • #21 
    • #24 
    UniRank 4icu: Top 200 English-Speaking Universities
    [Published 11 August, 2022]
    • #3 
    • #24 
    QS World University Rankings: Sustainability
    [Published 05 December, 2023]
    • #23 
    • #30 
    Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
    [Published 31 July, 2023]
    • #1594 
    • #10330 
    Webometrics Ranking Web of Universities
    [Published 31 July, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #44 
    THE Top Universities for a Digital Education
    [Published 10 May, 2022]
    • #20 
    • #22 
    THE China Subject Ratings Overall
    [Published 11 May, 2022]

Historic rankings in TOP global university rankings

Chart Data

Subject rankings

Agriculture

    • #67 
    • #267 
    Agriculture
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Architecture, Building & Planning

    • #24 
    • #154 
    Architecture
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Business

    • #22 
    • #22 
    Business

    [Published ]
    • #19 
    • #73 
    Business
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #5 
    • #5 
    Entrepreneurship

    [Published ]
    • #9 
    • #11 
    Finance
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #28 
    • #51 
    Public Administration
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]

Computer Science

    • #14 
    • #36 
    Computer Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #46 
    • #45 
    Computer Science
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #26 
    • #63 
    Computer Science
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

Education

    • #9 
    • #11 
    Education
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #24 
    • #55 
    Education
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #38 
    • #76 
    Education
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #41 
    • #101 
    Education
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Engineering

    • #34 
    • #101 
    Biotechnology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #53 
    • #338 
    Chemical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #60 
    • #401 
    Chemical Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #90 
    Civil Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #37 
    • #201 
    Civil Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #40 
    • #231 
    Civil Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #95 
    Engineering
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #108 
    • #109 
    Engineering
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]
    • #29 
    • #175 
    Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #55 
    • #313 
    Environmental Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #48 
    • #133 
    Materials Science
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #27 
    • #68 
    Mechanical Engineering
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #24 
    • #101 
    Mechanical Engineering
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #40 
    • #290 
    Mechanical Engineering
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Journalism & Media Studies

    • #8 
    • #14 
    Journalism
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Languages & Literature

    • #25 
    • #71 
    Linguistics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Law

    • #20 
    • #20 
    Law
    US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
    [Published 28 March, 2022]
    • #22 
    • #23 
    Law
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #30 
    • #101 
    Law
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #29 
    • #151 
    Law
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Mathematics

    • #36 
    • #76 
    Mathematics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #40 
    • #102 
    Mathematics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #34 
    • #106 
    Mathematics
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]

Medicine & Health

    • #26 
    • #92 
    Dentistry
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #36 
    • #130 
    Medicine
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #32 
    Nursing & Health Care
    Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
    [Published 11 November, 2021]

Natural Sciences

    • #23 
    • #51 
    Chemistry
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #57 
    • #137 
    Chemistry
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #41 
    • #151 
    Chemistry
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #54 
    • #151 
    Geology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #40 
    • #164 
    Geology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #78 
    • #301 
    Physics
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #45 
    • #101 
    Anthropology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #10 
    • #26 
    Economics
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #28 
    Economics
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #25 
    • #115 
    History
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #41 
    • #151 
    History
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #45 
    Psychology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #50 
    Psychology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #32 
    • #81 
    Psychology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #44 
    • #100 
    Psychology
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #18 
    • #36 
    Social Sciences
    NTU Rankings by Subject
    [Published 11 July, 2023]
    • #21 
    • #42 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]
    • #27 
    • #36 
    Sociology
    GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
    [Published 27 October, 2023]
    • #20 
    • #62 
    Sociology
    QS World University Rankings By Subject
    [Published 22 March, 2023]
    • #27 
    • #80 
    Sociology
    URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
    [Published 22 July, 2023]

Highest subject rankings for University of Southern California

Entrepreneurship The Princeton Review: Top 50 Undergraduate Schools for Entrepreneurship
#5 
Business
Education GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#11 
Education
Journalism URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#14 
Journalism & Media Studies
Law US News: Best Grad Schools (US)
#20 
Law
Economics URAP University Ranking by Academic Performance - By Field
#26 
Social Studies & Humanities
Nursing & Health Care Payscale College Salary Report - Best Schools by Majors
#32 
Medicine & Health
Computer Science NTU Rankings by Subject
#36 
Computer Science
Chemistry GRAS Global Ranking of Academic Subjects - ShanghaiRanking
#51 
Natural Sciences
Mechanical Engineering NTU Rankings by Subject
#68 
Engineering
Linguistics QS World University Rankings By Subject
#71 
Languages & Literature

About University of Southern California

PROS

  • Small class sizes significantly improve the learning experience, compared to universities with large, seminar -style classes.
  • Southern Cal has a lot of cultural diversity. It’s easy for international students to feel at home.
  • Located in the city of Los Angeles, students have access to a sprawling metropolis full of entertainment and dining experiences to enjoy between classes and assignments.

CONS

  • The cost of living in Los Angeles is very high, in practically every regard.
  • The student housing could be renovated. Some of the rooms show signs of long -term use, but it’s not a factor that impacts students’ experience in an important way.

Key facts

Foundation year:
1880
Telephone:
(213) 740-2311
Address:
University Park
90089, Los Angeles
USA
Website:
https://www.usc.edu/
Social:
  • A Day In The Life: USC Student
  • USC Top 10 Classes: Student Picks
  • Day in the Life of USC MPH Student | Roberto Santana
  • USC First Gen Student Week Kick off
  • Top 10 Tips for Getting your LLM

Map of University of Southern California

Other universities in Los Angeles:

FAQ

University of Southern California ranks #22 in USA in our meta ranking of 112 university rankings. See rankings of all 1924 universities in USA.

University of Southern California ranks #2 in Los Angeles in our meta ranking. See rankings of all 17 universities in Los Angeles.

University of Southern California is listed in Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education US College Rankings, THE World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings, QS Employability Rankings, THE Global Employability University Ranking, Reuters Most Innovative Universities and more. See all 48 rankings of University of Southern California.

University of Southern California achieved #8 in Reuters Most Innovative Universities. This is the university’s highest ranking in the 112 rankings tracked on our website. See all rankings for University of Southern California.

University of Southern California achieved the highest ranking for Computer Science. It is ranked #1 in The Princeton Review: Top 50 Undergrad Programs for Video Game Design (Video Game Design). See all subject rankings for University of Southern California.

A large number of university rankings include surveys among academics on reputation. In our meta ranking of 112 university rankings University of Southern California ranks #2 among universities in Los Angeles and #22 among universities in USA. See all rankings of University of Southern California.

In our meta ranking University of Southern California ranks #22 among all universities in USA and Stanford University ranks #1. See all rankings of universities in Los Angeles. Apart from rankings you may also want to see the ratings from students who attended the universities.