University of Southern California Rankings 2026

The University of Southern California (USC) is ranked #28 among National Universities by U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges. 

Globally, it is ranked #146 by QS World University Rankings and =73 by Times Higher Education. 

In the sections ahead, we’ll take a closer look at the latest University of Southern California rankings, analyze trends over the years, and understand how the university performs across different subjects.

University of Southern California in QS, THE, and U.S. Rankings

The University of Southern California's ranking shifts a bit depending on the platform, since each one evaluates academic reputation, research impact, and teaching quality differently. 

Despite that, USC stays in a solid spot among the best U.S. and global universities. It ranks in the top 30 in United States and does great in the QS and Times Higher Education listings too. 

So here's a quick peek at how USC is ranking recently:

Overall, the University of Southern California has shown stable performance over the years, particularly in global rankings like U.S. News, where it maintains consistency. 

While there are slight fluctuations in QS and THE rankings, the university continues to hold a strong position internationally.

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Course-Wise Rankings of University of Southern California

The overall university ranking just gives you a broad idea. To truly understand where the University of Southern California sits, you need to check how it does in various subjects.

USC excels in business, tech, and interdisciplinary fields, with many subjects ranked in the global top 100. Its balanced academic setup makes it a great fit for students in different study areas.

QS Subject Wise Rankings of University of Southern California

The University of Southern California QS ranking highlights its strength across both technical and non-technical disciplines. 

Data science, finance, and computer science top the list, showing how relevant USC's education and research are to industries. 

USC's performance in various subjects from the 2026 QS rankings is examined here:

Overall, the QS subject rankings show that the University of Southern California performs strongly in career-oriented and high-demand fields, while maintaining a stable presence across a wide range of disciplines.

THE Subject Wise Rankings of University of Southern California

The University of Southern California world ranking is further reflected in its performance across a wide range of disciplines in the Times Higher Education (THE) subject rankings. 

USC is strong in social sciences, business, and computer science, with classes ranked among the best in the world.

Here's how they do in different subjects according to THE rankings for 2026:

Overall, the THE subject rankings highlight USC’s strength in social sciences, business, and technology-focused fields, with a fairly balanced performance across disciplines.

U.S. News Subject Wise Rankings of University of Southern California

U.S. News subject rankings give us a closer look at how USC does in specific fields. The school performs well in subjects like business, neuroscience, and public health. 

Here’s a closer look at some of the top subject rankings for 2026:

U.S. News rankings show USC is really strong in health sciences, business, and interdisciplinary research. The university has a solid, well-rounded academic profile with global recognition in many areas.

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University of Southern California: Excellence and Achievements

The University of Southern California, or USC, is known for its academic excellence, innovation, and big impact on culture. 

Over the years, USC built a strong global reputation with fancy honors and important accomplishments. They contributed to many fields too, so people really respect them worldwide.

Major Institutional Awards and Honors

USC has received recognition through national-level awards and honors, reflecting its academic strength and contributions across research, arts, and technology.

Here’s a closer look at some of its key institutional recognitions:

Overall, these recognitions highlight USC’s strong presence in academics, public impact, and global thought leadership.

Research, Innovation, and Global Impact

USC is known for translating research into real-world impact, with several initiatives and awards recognizing innovation and problem-solving at a global level.

Here’s how USC stands out in this area:

These achievements show USC’s role as a university that goes beyond academics to drive innovation and global change.

Historical Achievements and Cultural Milestones

Along with academic recognition, USC has also built a unique legacy through its cultural, artistic, and athletic achievements, which contribute to its global identity.

Here’s a quick overview of its notable milestones:

Overall, these milestones reflect USC’s influence not just in academics, but also in sports, media, and global culture, making it one of the most well-rounded universities in the world.

Read more about the admissions at University of Southern California  

Miscellaneous Rankings of University of Southern California

Besides QS, THE, and U.S. News, the University of Southern California appears in various other ranking platforms too.

They consider things like research, student life, job prospects, and overall academics. This gives a more complete picture of the university.

Here’s a quick look at some of these additional rankings:

Overall, these rankings show that the University of Southern California performs strongly across research, employability, and student experience metrics, giving a more comprehensive picture of its global position beyond traditional ranking systems.

University of Southern California: Rankings vs Acceptance Rate

The University of Southern California (USC) holds strong global positions, ranking #146 in QS, #73 in THE, and #77 in U.S. News, reflecting its academic strength and global reputation across disciplines.

USC is also highly selective, with an acceptance rate of around 9%–11%. 

Competition is especially high for programs like business, computer science, and engineering, where demand is significantly higher due to strong rankings and career outcomes.

Course / Program vs Ranking and Acceptance Trend

Overall, USC combines strong global rankings with highly selective admissions, making it a top choice for students targeting high-growth and competitive fields.

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