Comparable Schools'
Academics Grades:
Quick Stats
Student-Faculty Ratio
9:1
Average Course Load
5–6 courses
Faculty with Terminal Degree
90 %
College Prowler Take
The most widely discussed issue that students have about academics at USC is that teaching assistants tend to not be entirely fluent in English, which is due to a fair number of international graduate students. Students who feel uncomfortable talking with TAs usually have to fight for their teachers’ attention during office hours. Although this problem tends to be blown out of proportion, the student-TA language barrier has had debilitating effects ome students' level of interest in a class over the course of a semester.
Another widely discussed issue is the grading curve at the Marshall School of Business. Although most undergraduate business schools in the country operate on a grading curve, students have a hard time dealing with the fact that a predetermined amount of As, Bs, Cs, Ds, and Fs are distributed at the end of a semester. All in all, students are happy with the academics at USC. Resourceful students are ecstatic about courses, and passive students have good and bad things to say.
Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
Anonymous says:  |
My writing teacher is editing my...
My writing teacher is editing my first book. |
Anonymous says: |
I had a teacher for American...
I had a teacher for American history who was so awesome that people would actually come to class and participate even though they weren’t signed up. |
Anonymous says: |
It’s all about TAs. Large lecture...
It’s all about TAs. Large lecture classes break into small classes for discussion led by TAs. They can make or break a class, or a grade for that matter. |
Anonymous says: |
Teachers here are awesome. You...
Teachers here are awesome. You really get that personal attention that you’re not supposed to get at big schools. All are extremely approachable. To this day, I keep in touch with two of my favorite professors. Classes are taught by professors, not by teaching assistants (TAs). My only complaint was with one professor who had a bad accent; it was hard to understand his lectures. All in all, I’ve had really good experiences with teachers here. |
Anonymous says: |
I’m indifferent on the teacher...
I’m indifferent on the teacher subject. I’ve liked almost all of mine, but none have changed my life. |
Facts
Most Popular Majors
- Business/marketing - 21 %
- Social sciences - 13 %
- Visual/performing arts - 12 %
- Engineering - 8 %
- Communications - 6 %
- Psychology - 5 %
Degrees Awarded
- Bachelor's
- Doctorate
- First professional
- Master's
Special Degree Options
- Accelerated master's programs in accounting, economics, history, and mathematics
- Pre-professional programs in pre-dentistry, pre-law, pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy
Class Sizes
- 50 or More Students - 15 %
- Fewer than 20 Students - 64 %
- 20 to 49 Students - 21 %
Undergraduate Schools
- College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences
- School for Communication
- School of Accounting
- School of Architecture
- School of Business
- School of Cinematic Arts
- School of Dentistry
- School of Education
- School of Engineering
- School of Fine Arts
- School of Gerontology
- School of Medicine
- School of Music
- School of Policy, Planning, and Development
- School of Theatre
Graduation Rates
- 4-Year - 66 %
- 5-Year - 82 %
- 6-Year - 85 %
Best Places to Study
- Doheny Library
- Leavey Library
- Study lounges in residence halls
- Taper Hall
AP Test Score Requirements
Possible credit for scores of 3 or higher
IB Test Score Requirements
Possible credit for scores of 3 or higher
Did You Know?
USC athletic teams were called the Methodists before they were named Trojans in 1912.
Actor John Wayne, also known as Marion Morrison, played tackle while at USC and graduated in 1929.
Battle-bound troops in the Aleutians Campaign during World War II were inspired by USC’s “Fight On” song.
USC graduates designed the Department of Water and Power Building, St. Basil’s Catholic Church, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Los Angeles’ City Hall.
Robert Zemeckis, Ron Howard, George Lucas, and Bryan Singer are all USC film school graduates.
Since 1912, USC is the only university in the world to have a gold medal-winning athlete in every summer Olympics.
Best Places to Study:
Doheny Library, Leavey Library, study lounges in residence halls, Taper Hall, and Topping Student Center.
Most Recent Contributing Author
Name: BJ Grip
Hometown: Colorado Springs, CO
Major: Theater
BJ has been to more than 15 different countries, including England, Italy, and Australia.
Contributing Author Internship
College Prowler is actively seeking talented students to be "Contributing Authors," and assist with updating
the College Prowler guide to their school. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain internship experience, be a part of a nationally
recognized company, gain tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is
really like at your college. Read more about the internship.
