Traditional residence halls, suites and apartments are available to freshmen (considered by USC to be recent high school graduates with no college experience). There are approximately 2,500 spaces in residence halls and suites and 400 spaces in one- and two-bedroom apartments available to incoming freshmen.

Continuing upperclassmen are students who have earned credits at USC for at least one semester and did not participate in the returning resident assignment process. USC considers incoming students with college credits not earned during high school to be transfers.

Typically, graduate students have different housing needs than undergraduates, which is why USC has reserved specific buildings for them. These approximately 400 apartment spaces are located in a number of smaller and quieter buildings in the North University Park area. Nontraditional undergraduates (those students attending college at an age older than the typical 18-to-22-year-old undergraduate) may also be eligible for graduate housing.

SC has set aside apartment buildings in the North University Park area just for students with families. There are 51 spaces available to accommodate family living. The larger two-bedroom units are designed for families with children, and one-bedroom units are suitable for families with one child.