Admissions and Academic Profile
USC Gould School of Law is the law school of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. The school uses a holistic admissions process and reports median LSAT scores and undergraduate GPAs for each entering class on its official website. Applicants can submit scores through either the Law School Admission Test or the Graduate Record Examination, and the school typically reports median undergraduate GPA and median LSAT or GRE ranges in its class profile. USC Gould is part of the University of Southern California, a private research university, and its JD program is structured to provide foundational legal training with opportunities for specializations and clinics.
For the most recent entering class, USC Gould reports median LSAT scores and median undergraduate GPAs in its class profile, which is updated annually and available on the law school website. The school also discloses acceptance rates and enrollment numbers, and it uses the Credential Assembly Service for applications. International applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores unless they completed prior degree work in English, and the school evaluates credentials on a case-by-case basis. USC Gould offers both a full-time and part-time JD path, with the part-time option designed for students who work during the day.
Rankings, Reputation, and Program Structure
USC Gould School of Law is consistently ranked among the top law schools in the United States in major publications such as U.S. News & World Report. The school is known for strengths in entertainment law, business law, and trial advocacy, and it is located near major entertainment and technology companies in Los Angeles. USC Gould offers joint degree programs such as the JD/MBA with the USC Marshall School of Business and the JD/MA in Communication Management, allowing students to combine legal training with other professional fields. The school also operates several legal clinics and centers that give students hands-on experience in real cases.
USC Gould maintains centers and programs focused on areas such as intellectual property, privacy law, and international dispute resolution, and it hosts events and publications that connect students with practitioners. The school's location in Los Angeles provides access to law firms, entertainment companies, startups, and government agencies, and students can pursue externships and clerkships in those settings. USC Gould is accredited by the American Bar Association, and its curriculum includes required first-year courses alongside upper-division electives and writing requirements. The school also emphasizes professional identity formation and practical skills through simulations, externships, and pro bono opportunities.
Costs, Financial Aid, and Career Outcomes
Tuition and fees at USC Gould School of Law are set by the University of Southern California and are subject to annual adjustments, with the school publishing current figures on its website. The total cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, living expenses, and books, and the school provides estimated budgets for both full-time and part-time students. Financial aid options include scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study, and USC Gould awards merit-based scholarships to admitted students based on academic credentials and other factors. The school also participates in federal loan programs and provides tools to help students estimate debt and repayment options.
USC Gould reports employment outcomes for graduates, including bar passage rates, employment percentages, and types of positions obtained after graduation. The school's career services office supports students and alumni through recruiting events, networking opportunities, and career counseling, and many graduates enter private practice, in-house roles, government, or public interest positions. USC Gould is recognized for its alumni network in Los Angeles and beyond, with graduates working at law firms, technology companies, entertainment studios, and public agencies. Students and prospective applicants can review detailed outcome data on the school's website and through the ABA-required disclosures.
Rankings and Distinctions
USC Gould School of Law is ranked in the top tier of law schools nationally, with particular recognition for its programs in entertainment law, business law, and trial advocacy. The school's centers and clinics provide students with opportunities to work