The University of Southern California, usually shortened to USC, is a private research university in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1880 in affiliation with the Methodist Church. USC has the largest number of international students of any university in the country, reflecting the status of Los Angeles as a “global city”. In 2010, USC received $560.9 million in sponsored research contributing to its very high level of research activity. USC athletes, called the Trojans, have won 96 NCAA Championships (3rd in the country) and 287 Olympic medals, which is more than any other U.S. university.

History

The University of Southern California was established by Judge Robert M. Widney, who helped bring in donations from several key figures in Los Angeles as well as 308 lots of land to establish the campus and build the first buildings. USC officially opened in 1880 with 53 students and 10 faculty, despite the fact that Los Angeles lacked electric lights, paved streets, and telephones. For 70 years, USC operated in affiliation with the Methodist Church, but in 1952 the university severed all ties with the church and became entirely non-sectarian. USC athletes were unofficially known as the Fighting Methodists, but were referred to as “Trojans” by Los Angeles Times writer Owen Bird, resulting in the name changing. USC, like many other universities, took part in the V-12 Navy College Training Program during World War II. Today, USC is responsible for an economic output of $4 billion in Los Angeles, and students spend an average of $406 million per year in the local economy.

Programs

The University of Southern California is home to many top undergraduate and graduate programs. According to U.S. News, the Rossier School of Education is the 17th best education school in the United States, and has the 6th best Higher Education Administration program. The Rossier School is one of the world’s premier centers for graduate study in urban education, and offers comprehensive Master’s, Ph.D., and Ed.D. programs along with an affiliated Language Academy. It is located in the heart of Los Angeles, and allows students to experience a rich urban learning environment, and provides them with numerous international opportunities for study and research. USC also has a strong business program, evident by the fact that 26% of students are enrolled in the school, making it the most popular major. The Marshall School of Business is ranked by U.S. News as the 26th best business school, and the Accounting, Entrepreneurship, and International programs are all ranked in the top 10. The Marshall School works by a guiding philosophy that places a strong emphasis on understanding the inner workings of the global marketplace. This philosophy has established USC Marshall as a leader among the United States’ premier business schools. It was the first school to require study projects and international travel, integrating each part into the MBA degree. Marshall also adopted a new curriculum after the change of the millennium, which enhances academic flexibility for undergraduates while still maintaining a rigorous core program.

Pros & Cons

The University of Southern California is ranked by U.S. News as the 24th best university in the United States. It Is located right downtown Los Angeles, which is the second most populous city in the United States (after New York) and the most populous city in California. The urban location provides students with numerous dining, shopping, entertainment and nightlife options, allowing them to take a break from school for an evening or weekend. The attractions of Los Angeles can be a distraction, however, which could affect students’ grades. Los Angeles also has a high crime rate, though it has experienced a significant decline in crime since the early 1990s. It is still home to many gangs, however, and is considered the “Gang Capital of America”. USC has a terrific student-faculty ratio of 9:1, and a freshman retention rate of 96.8%. It is a selective school with only a 23% acceptance rate, and tuition and room and board together costs over $57 000, requiring 43% of undergraduates to receive financial aid.