USC’s acceptance rate for first-year fall admissions rose to 10.4% for the incoming class of 2029, according to the USC Office of Admission. Around 83,500 prospective students applied to the university, a new record, and nearly 1,500 more than last year.
Last year, the acceptance rate was 9.8%, the lowest in university history.
The new admissions come after the university announced Monday that it would enact major budget cuts and hiring freezes, citing federal funding uncertainty and increased costs.
USC admitted 8,700 incoming students for the fall and about 2,200 for the spring. When considering spring admissions, the university’s overall admission rate is 13%. In an emailed statement on Wednesday, the USC Office of Admission said the enrollment numbers aimed to meet “higher enrollment targets for 2025-26.”
According to the USC Office of Admission, first-generation students comprise 20% of fall admitted students. All 50 states are represented in the admitted class of 2029, with California students representing 39% of fall admissions. Texas, New York, Washington, Illinois and Florida were the next most represented states.