AP Credit

USC AP Credit

USC awards credit on 9 of the 9 common AP exams listed here. A 4 is enough on each.

Lowest score accepted

Limit on AP credit

32 elective units, combined with college courses taken in high school

Chart applies to

University-wide

USC gives 4 elective units for any AP score of 4 or 5.

What each AP exam earns at USC

Twelve common exams. An exam is left out when USC’s page does not name it.

AP exam	Lowest score	What it earns	With a 5
Calculus AB	4	4 semester units of elective credit; satisfies GE-F: Quantitative Reasoning; prerequisite MATH 118 or 125 can be waived	Same
Calculus BC	4	4 semester units of elective credit; satisfies GE-F: Quantitative Reasoning; prerequisite MATH 118 or 125 can be waived	4 semester units of elective credit; satisfies GE-F; prerequisites MATH 118, or 125 and MATH 126 can be waived
United States History	4	4 semester units of elective credit; satisfies GE-H: Traditions and Historical Foundations	Same
Biology	4	4 semester units of elective credit; satisfies GE-D: Life Sciences; prerequisite either BISC 120 or BISC 220 can be waived (see undergrad advisor in Biological Sciences)	Same
Chemistry	4	4 semester units of elective credit; satisfies GE-E: Physical Sciences; prerequisite CHEM 105aL can be waived	Same
Physics C: Mechanics	4	4 semester units of elective credit; satisfies GE-E: Physical Sciences	Same
Statistics	4	4 semester units of elective credit; satisfies GE-F: Quantitative Reasoning	Same
Psychology	4	4 semester units of elective credit; prerequisite PSYC 100 can be waived	Same
Spanish Language and Culture	4	4 semester units of elective credit; satisfies the third-level foreign language requirement	Same

“USC awards 4 semester units of elective credit for all AP examinations with a score of 4 or 5.”

USC

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Frequently asked questions

Does USC accept AP credit?

USC awards credit on 9 of the 9 common AP exams listed here. A 4 is enough on each. USC gives 4 elective units for any AP score of 4 or 5.

What AP score do you need at USC?

The lowest score that earns anything on the non-language exams listed here is a 4. The score needed differs by exam, so check the row for each one.

Is there a limit on AP credit at USC?

Yes. USC states this limit: 32 elective units, combined with college courses taken in high school.

Read from USC’s own page and last checked 2026-10-08. Colleges change these charts, and rules can differ by school within a university, so confirm with the official page before you plan around it.