Founded in 1880, the University of Southern California (USC) is a private research university nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, California. It's the oldest private research university in the state and is known for its diverse academic offerings. USC enrolls over 49,000 students from all 50 states and more than 115 countries. USC is home to the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, as well as 22 other undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools. The university is renowned for its strong emphasis on research and innovation, and it's a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU).
The campus is split into two main locations: the University Park campus and the Health Sciences campus. USC's sports teams, the Trojans, are well-known competitors in the NCAA Division I FBS – Big Ten Conference, boasting numerous national championships and Olympic medals.