<p>The area around USC is primarily made up of student housing and local businesses - who rely on the university to exist. The locals are very proud and protective of their university and it is a very large employer in the area. It’s their jewel. The university security is top-notch and closely aligned with the LAPD. As you drive around the area immediatley around the school, you see thousands of students on bicycles going to and from class, etc…as you would at any other campus.</p>
<p>I do suggest you thoroughly look through the links provided by cc411 #2. There are excellent safety tips, etc that you should practice at virtually any urban campus. (Incidentially, I just “Googled” “the most dangerous colleges in America” USC did not show up on any of the lists I quickly looked through.)</p>
<p>I certainly wouldn’t let safety keep you from considering this lovely university — comprised of beautiful brick buildings, fountains and open quads. It’s located in a huge, busy city no doubt – with traffic, every nationality you could think of, and everything else LA. But what an experience and education it provides.</p>