USC is a world-class university, the oldest private research university in the West and one of the nation’s most highly selective institutions in terms of the student body it attracts. With 17 professional schools, in addition to the College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, USC is ranked ninth among U.S. private universities in dollar volume of federal research support. Federal research funding has nearly doubled in the past 10 years. The university’s recent Building on Excellence campaign raised $2.85 billion, making it the most successful fundraising effort in the history of higher education.

USC graduates have an invaluable worldwide support network of more than 180,000 living alumni in the Trojan Family. Alumni maintain a close association with the university, mentoring students and opening career doors for graduates.

The university also takes its role as a good neighbor seriously. We have more than 300 programs focused on surrounding neighborhoods. Time magazine called USC’s community-service program “one of the most ambitious social-outreach programs of any university in the nation.” USC recently was named College of the Year by the Time/Princeton Review College Guide for our community outreach.