Dorm life at USC is known for being very social. Luckily, there are a number of dorms on campus that encourage students to engage in new activities and interact with one another.
If you’re looking for an engaging college experience, consider living in one of these five dorms. All of these residences feature floor-to-ceiling windows which allow students to enjoy panoramic views of Los Angeles and beyond.
In terms of dining options, each building has its own on-site cafeteria where residents can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Also, many of these dorms have nearby cafeterias available for off-campus meal options. It’s important to note that freshmen who want to live in one of these dorms must apply during their senior year of high school through an online application system.
Additionally, all rooms come equipped with air conditioning units, cable television hookups, and wireless internet access. What more could you ask for?
1. McCarthy Honors Residential College
McCarthy Honors Residential College is a great place to live if you’re interested in living with other high-achieving students. The dorm has a reputation for being one of USC’s most intellectually stimulating residences, as it houses only freshmen and sophomores who have been accepted into USC’s prestigious honors program. If you want to be surrounded by like-minded individuals, McCarthy Honors Residential College is definitely a good choice. The dorm also has an excellent dining hall where residents can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Additionally, there are plenty of nearby off-campus dining options available within walking distance from campus.
USC – McCarthy Honors Residential College Dorm Cost
| Room Type (Depending on space size) | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| One occupant (Single room) | $7,080 | $21,240 |
| Two occupants (Double room) | $5,525 | $16,575 |
| Four occupants (Double room) | $5,865 | $17,595 |
2. Birnkrant Residential College
If you’re looking to live in a dorm that will allow you to enjoy an active college lifestyle, consider living at Birnkrant Residential College. This building is known for being very social and features a number of facilities that promote engagement between residents. For example, students who live here have access to recreational activities such as intramural sports, rock climbing, and yoga classes. The dorm also has an excellent dining hall where residents can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. Additionally, there are plenty of nearby off-campus dining options available within walking distance from campus.
USC – Birnkrant Residential College Dorm Cost
| Room Type (Depending on space size) | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| One occupant (Single room) | $7,080 | $21,240 |
| Two occupants (Double room) | $5,253 | $15,759 |
| Three occupants (Triple room) | $5,420 | $16,260 |
3. Calle and Irani Residential College
If you’re looking to live in a dorm that is centrally located on campus, consider living in Calle and Irani Residential College. This building is located right across from Marks Hall, which means it’s close to all of USC’s academic buildings. Also, it’s located near several of USC’s dining halls, which makes it easy to get around campus and enjoy on-campus meals seven days a week. In terms of amenities, each room comes equipped with air conditioning units, cable television hookups, and wireless internet access. Additionally, there are plenty of recreational facilities available such as an indoor pool, an outdoor swimming pool, and basketball courts. Students who live here have access to these facilities at no additional cost! Finally, students who want to go grocery shopping can take advantage of two nearby supermarkets located within walking distance of campus.
USC – Calle and Irani Residential College Dorm Cost
| Room Type (Depending on space size) | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| Two occupants (Single bedroom) | $6,780 | $20,340 |
| Two occupants (Double bedroom) | $6,240 | $18,720 |
| Three occupants (One bedroom) | $4,665 | $13,995 |
4. Mark Tower
Marks Tower has all the features of a traditional residence hall and, at eight stories tall, many rooms of the building’s rooms have amazing views. The primary freshman population lives, eats, and studies together while participating in the campus and residential activities that are such an important part of a student’s first year at college. This coed facility has seven single-gender residential floors, each with 14 double rooms. The large first-floor lobby consists of a lounge with study tables and a spacious television area with comfortable living room-style furniture.
Marks Tower is close to libraries and dining venues as well as other freshman housing buildings. Full meal service is available at the nearby “Everybody’s Kitchen” dining hall in the North complex. Students assigned to Marks Tower have a required full meal plan that is accepted at many USC dining locations.
USC – Mark Tower Dorm Cost
| Room Type | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| Double Bedroom | $5,253 | $15,759 |
5. Cardinal Gardens
Cardinal Gardens is an extremely popular apartment complex consisting of nine individual townhouse-style buildings and a Customer Service building, all connected by winding, tree-lined walkways and surrounding a large furnished, hardscaped courtyard.
This energetic community is home to both upperclassmen, as well as a limited number of freshmen, housed in fully furnished one and two-bedroom apartments. Each apartment has a large full kitchen and bathroom and a spacious, air-conditioned living room. All units are fully furnished with modern furniture and laminate floors.
USC – Cardinal Gardens Dorm Cost
| Room Type | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| Two occupants (One Bedroom) | $5,765 | $17,295 |
| Four occupants (Two bedrooms) | $5,455 | $16,365 |
Here are other USC dorms for First-Year Undergraduate Students
WEBB TOWER (WTO)
PARKSIDE ARTS & HUMANITIES RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE
PARKSIDE APARTMENTS
PARDEE TOWER (PTD)
NEW NORTH RESIDENTIAL COLLEGE
