University of Southern California, Gould School of Law
The information on this page was provided by the law school.
Official Guide to ABA-Approved JD Programs
125 years of innovation, inspiration and impact
As the oldest law school in Southern California, and pioneer of interdisciplinary and experiential legal education, USC Gould carries a longstanding legacy of leadership. From students and alumni, to faculty and staff, we work each day to advance justice and make a meaningful impact in people’s lives, locally and globally.
We are the proud home to an outstanding community, set apart by its sense of togetherness and its unique dedication to one another. Join the Gould Trojan Family in celebrating this historic milestone!
The JD Program
USC Gould is an elite law school committed to academic excellence. Our success is comprised of a world-class faculty, a close-knit and passionate student body, a well-situated campus, an interdisciplinary curriculum and a supportive alumni network.
The faculty is nationally recognized for its scholarship in many fields, its interdisciplinary focus, public service and leadership in the profession. Our small class size and low professor-to-student ratio create an intimate and collegial learning environment.
Founded in 1900, USC Gould was Southern California's first law school. From the school's earliest days, we enrolled students with a wide variety of lived experiences. This creates an environment that fosters a wide range of perspectives and provocative classroom discussion.
Our location in Los Angeles provides students with vast opportunities in one of the top legal markets and busiest courts in the nation. From Silicon Beach to downtown L.A., USC Gould offers access to clerkships, externships and career options with law and business firms, public interest agencies, and entertainment, media and technology firms. The law school's location on USC's University Park Campus supports numerous opportunities for interdisciplinary education and research among the multitude of renowned schools.
USC pioneered the concepts of interdisciplinary and clinical legal education. The first modern legal aid program grew out of a USC Gould clinic established in 1929. And, in 1965, we became one of the first schools to bring an interdisciplinary focus to the study of law. Today, our curriculum is infused with courses at the intersection of a variety of key disciplines, and we offer over a dozen dual-degree programs. Through our numerous clinics, practicums and externships, students gain hands-on training in the practice of law, working with real clients.
The law school boasts a supportive and tight-knit alumni population of more than 12,000 professionals around the globe. The Trojan Family is a fiercely loyal and powerful network deeply committed to the success of USC graduates. Our alumni are partners in the world's largest law firms, head major international companies, and serve leadership roles in government and public service organizations. More than 500 USC Gould alumni have served as state or federal judges.
Career Placement and Bar Passage
Tuition and Aid
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition |
$86,472.00
|
| Fees |
$1,964.00
|
| Expected Cost of Attendance |
$107,236.00
|
Merit Scholarships
All incoming first-year students are automatically considered for merit scholarships, with more than 95 percent receiving some form of support. The median scholarship award is $42,000, with a range of awards between $10,000 and full tuition.
All scholarship offers are made before you enter USC Gould and are guaranteed for all three years of law school, as long as you maintain full-time enrollment. Scholarship awards are based on merit and the overall strength of the application. We are committed to a student body that reflects a wide range of backgrounds and experiences as the resulting broadened scope of views benefits all. We want to support students who will thrive and excel, not just academically but also personally and professionally.
Need-Based Grants
USC Gould School of Law, along with the generous assistance of its alumni, has established a Need-Based Grant program for incoming JD students. This grant program is intended for incoming students who have no options, outside of their USC Gould Scholarship and student loans, for financing their legal education at Gould. It is our goal to award grants which will result in a direct reduction to the student loans these students would otherwise be borrowing to finance law school. It is our goal to award grants which will result in a direct reduction to the student loans these students would otherwise borrow to finance law school. A separate application is usually made available in March, and only after having been admitted for the upcoming academic year.
Veterans Education Benefits/Yellow Ribbon Program
USC Gould is proud to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program. If you meet the specified criteria and your enrollment is confirmed by the USC Veterans Certification Office, you may be able to earn up to a full-tuition award via a combination of veterans benefits and USC Gould assistance.
Admission Decisions: Beyond the Numbers
USC Gould's admissions process is guided by the view that an individual student that reflects the broad and rich experience of our society provides a superior benefit to the legal community. The primary goal of our admissions process is to enroll students who demonstrate outstanding academic and professional promise and whose background and experience will enrich the communities in which they seek to serve in their legal careers.
2025 Class Profile
