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University of Southern California Admission 2026: Application Deadlines, Eligibility & Fees

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University of Southern California Admissions
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There is one main intake for international students which is Fall and it starts in the month of August/September. The University of Southern California admissions 2026 are open for international students and the following are the admission deadlines - 

Undergraduate: 

  • Regular Decision: Jan 10, 2026
  • Regular Decision for programs with portfolio and auditions: Dec 1, 2026

Postgraduate: 

  • The deadline for graduate admission varies by program for international students

UCS Marshall MBA:

  • Round 2: Jan 15, 2026, and decision by Apr 15, 2026
  • Round 3: Apr 15, 2026, and decision by Jun 1, 2026
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University of Southern California Admissions
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University of Southern California Admissions 2026

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Commonly asked questions
Q:   Why choose the University of Southern California?
A: 

The USC is a popular private research university in California. Students are compelled to take admission to USC for its research opportunities, academic offerings, and diverse campus. Along with this, there are various reasons to join the university. Some of the crucial reasons are discussed below:

  • Academic programs: The university offers over 300 master's and bachelor's degree programs. Some popular programs include Management of Drug Development, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and Spatial Economics and Data Analysis, and more.
  • Affordability: The tuition cost of the UG and PG programs are quite affordable. The tuition fees ranges between INR 54 L and INR 61 L, and between INR 18 L and INR 1 Cr for postgraduate programs.
  • Reputation: The university ranked #27 among national universities, #65 in best value schools, and #9 for Business programs.
  • Small class size: With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, the university offers a small class experience where 62% of the classes have fewer than 20 students.
Q:   Is 1400 a good SAT score for USC?
A: 

According to the official source, ACT and SAT scores are one of the crucial criteria while choosing an undergraduate applicant. The minimum SAT score expected by the university is 650. Although the students who got selected scored between 1440 and 1550. Scoring 1400 on the SAT may not help the student to get into the university because of the stringent admission. They must score at least 1440 to beat the competition. On the other hand, the official expectation for ACT score is 27 or above, but students must aim between 32 and 35 for UG admission.

Q:   How good is the University of Southern California?
A: 

According to the University of Southern California reviews given by students, the university gets a 4.3 rating out of 5.0 for Quality of faculty. USC also gets a 4.0 rating out of 5.0 for Student Life and 3.9 ratings out of 5.0 for Part-time work. The impressive ratings make USC University a good choice to study in the USA for international students. The below table includes the University of Southern California admission 2024 highlights:

Particulars

Requirements

Application portal

UG: Common Application

PG: gradadm.usc.edu/apply/

Application fee

UG: USD 85 or INR 7,075.14*

PG: USD 90 or INR  7,491.32* (Exception for those courses offered by the Marshall School of Business)

ELP tests accepted

TOEFL / PTE

Standardized test scores (PG)

GMAT / GRE / Any other test scores (As applicable)

International Application Deadlines

UG: Closed

PG: Varies as per courses

University of Southern California Guide

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University of Southern California Admission Dates 2026

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University of Southern California Admission Requirements 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions
Q:   What are the English language requirements to get into USC?
A: 

I have mentioned the University of Southern California IELTS requirements with other English language tests for undergraduate and graduate admission:

English Language Tests

Minimum Score for UG Admission

Minimum Score for PG Admission

IELTS

a minimum score of 7

6.5 or above, with 6 or above on each band

TOEFL iBT

a score of 100 and no less than a score of 20 in each section

90 or above, with 20 or above in each section

PTE

score of 68

61 or above, with 53 or above on each band

Check how to Study in the USA without IELTS and TOEFL

Q:   Is 1400 a good SAT score for USC?
A: 

According to the official source, ACT and SAT scores are one of the crucial criteria while choosing an undergraduate applicant. The minimum SAT score expected by the university is 650. Although the students who got selected scored between 1440 and 1550. Scoring 1400 on the SAT may not help the student to get into the university because of the stringent admission. They must score at least 1440 to beat the competition. On the other hand, the official expectation for ACT score is 27 or above, but students must aim between 32 and 35 for UG admission.

University of Southern California MS Admission 2026

132 courses 9 months - 5 years
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26.3L - 96.1L

iconEligibility Criteria

  • Accepting Exams: TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, IELTS, GMAT, GRE

How to get into the University of Southern California in 2026?

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University of Southern California Enrollment Statistics 2026

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Commonly asked questions
On Admission
Q:   Is housing available at the University of Southern California?
A: 

Yes, the University of Southern California offers various housing options to international students. Some of the popular ones are Weston House, Wallace House, Monty Lodge, Griffith Hall, Park Villa, Carriage House, and more. The monthly expenses of some of the accommodations are given below:

Housing options

Monthly Cost

Weston House

USD 1,100

Monty Lodge

USD 5,000

Wallace House

USD 1,000

 

University of Southern California
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.6/5
Verified Icon17 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Student Views (Based on Reviews)
  • 37% students never faced discrimination in this university
Vibe of Campus
Sporty
Academically oriented
Multi-dimensional
Fun loving
Internships3.4
Part time work3.5
Post study jobs3.5
Quality of faculty4.4
Student Life4.3
Value for money3.2
Public transportation3.6
Safety3.4
Indian Food3.9
Permanent Immigration2.9
A
Abhinav Gupta Verified Icon
Master of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2025
3.5
Opportunity for those who seek it.
Tips: Before joining this college, students should be ready to take on coursework as soon as they start. Competition is tough because there is a big batch size. You will need to fight for your place. Make sure to learn how to cook because eating out is going to be expensive. Stop covering everything to the Dollar because you won't be able to survive.
Likes (Student Life): Student life is great because the college is very supportive. There are a lot of sports and advanced facilities. The campus has good food and a good vibe. LA as a city is amazing, there is so much to do. There is a little for everyone, city life, beaches, mountains, desert, culture, food and so much more.
Dislikes (Safety): LA as a city is very unsafe. There are homeless people everywhere on the street and even in public transport who come close to you and even try to engage unless you are careful. Travelling alone at night is very difficult and scary. There are crimes happening around every day.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1050
Prepping time for classes15 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 110000
Reviewed on 9 Nov 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
M.S. in Spatial Economics and Data Analysis - Batch of 2025
3.8
Grateful for the experience and lesson.
Tips: The campus is very friendly and welcoming and the student body is diverse so you'll be sure to fit in. The infrastructure is well made and living in California is great for Indians. If there is something to be cautious about, it is the amount of crime happening around the university.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 4575
Prepping time for classes29 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 89075
Reviewed on 16 Jul 2024Read more
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G
Ganpati Goel Verified Icon
MS in Engineering Management (MSEMT) - Batch of 2023
4.1
The University is awesome, there is a lot of competition, sports, extracurriculars and party house.
Tips: Complete assignments on time, make sure to clear all subjects, and join extracurriculars like Table tennis, triathlon club and cycling etc., if you are not into all of this then don't bother coming to USC and save some money. USC is not merely for education but for the holistic development of self if you have missed that in Indian colleges.
Likes (Public transportation): I personally learnt skateboarding and life was so much easier than to walk the whole campus. So skateboarding + public transport I could travel anywhere in the city. USC also has unlimited free Lyft in 2 mile radius around the campus from 6 pm to 2 am. You can get the tap card at a discount for college students.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): In USA: 1. Post study jobs matter on the following: a. Location of University. If you have done college from East Cost you will get a company call back from East Cost majorly and vice versa- the name of the college doesn't matter as much. b. Experience: Your own experience matters. People with prior experience are more likely to secure jobs. c. On campus companies: Very few companies that come on campus sponsor, so it is pretty much useless.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1000
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 85000
Reviewed on 5 Jun 2024Read more
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A
Agraj Khare Verified Icon
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering - Batch of 2024
3.9
This place has a lot to offer. Student life is happening.
Tips: One should definitely do their due diligence with which course they plan on taking UPAT USC. It is definitely a great leap and transition coming to a new country and it will take some time to get yourself adjusted in the system. Getting habitual of doing everything on your own can also prove to be challenging. With time you will definitely find an on-campus job to support your living expenses and things will improve for the better. The key is to remain patient and stay consistent. USC as a university has a lot to offer, so don't be afraid to grab onto opportunities and get as involved as you can! Make the most of it and have a great time. Striking a balance between fun and work is equally important.
Likes (Student Life): There is always something going around in campus. The campus is forever hustling and bustling. I honestly feel the people you'll meet at USC will be great, I am sure there are exceptions but the student population is diverse and has a lot to offer. There are ample events conducted by AIS (Association of Indian Students) so you don't miss your key festivals away from home.
Dislikes (Safety): Safety is definitely a concern in Downtown Los Angeles. Even though USC makes more than sufficient efforts to keep its students safe, you will come across instances of crime a little too frequently for comfort. But I still feel safety is a matter of personal choices as well. So always make sure you're cautious and taking the right precautions.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1425
Prepping time for classes35 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
Reviewed on 15 Mar 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2024
3.1
Great but also expensive
Tips: As someone who is from Mumbai, moving to LA feels like a huge change. The city is huge but it is difficult to explore without a car. The people here are welcoming, and there are a lot of international students, especially from India. But it is expensive without a scholarship, and USC discontinued the Honours Scholarship programme so it is more difficult to fund your education now.
Likes (Quality of faculty): The faculty at USC is really good. In the courses that I took, the faculty had a thorough understanding of all the topics and were super friendly and welcoming during their office hours. Even if you aren't able to reach the professors, there are TAs who are also really helpful most of the time.
Dislikes (Value for money): Although USC is a good school, it is quite expensive. There are a lot of students in some courses, and for those courses, the quality drops. I believe other universities that are less expensive have the same level of courses and an equal number of opportunities for internship and full-time jobs.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1200
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 100025
Reviewed on 1 Mar 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2024
4.2
Go with an open-mind to experience the best.
Tips: Very satisfied with my university, course and country. The first 2 months are the hardest but after that, you settle in and it only gets better. Do not create any opinions based on what seniors say, Experience everything and form your own opinions. Your masters experience depends on how you make it. Do not have preconceived notions.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1800
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
Reviewed on 21 Feb 2024Read more
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University of Southern California Admission 2026 FAQs

Q:   What are the tuition fees per year at University of Southern California (USC) for an Indian student?
A: 

The University of Southern California cost for Indian students vary from INR 18 L to INR 1 Cr. The below table includes the first year University of Southern California fees for international students and the course duration:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

MS

INR 25 L - 68 L

MBA/PGDM

INR 32 L - 1 Cr

PG Certificate

INR 18 L - 64 L

MIM

INR 32 L - 65 L

BA

INR 57 L - 60 L

BSc

INR 57 L

BE/BTech

INR 53 L - 57 L

BBA

INR 57 L

MFA

INR 31 L - 45 L

LLM

INR 59 L

BFA

INR 57 L - 60 L

MArch

INR 30 L - 74 L

BJMC

INR 57 L - 60 L

Executive MBA/PGDM

INR 37 L - 71 L

BDS

INR 57 L

LLB

INR 60 L

 

qna

Comments

qna

University of Southern California

Student Forum

chatAnything you would want to ask experts?
Write here...

Answered 3 months ago

Popular courses at the University of Southern California campus include MBA, MSc in Finance, etc. The list of some of the popularly chosen majors at USC as of Fall 2023,  along with the percentage of degree recipients are listed below:

Bachelor's degree%Master's degree%
Management Science22.4%Computer Science10.9%
Computer Science5.61%Management Science7.85%
Speech Communication & Rhetoric4.94%Social Work5.94%
Human Biology4.43%Electrical & Electronics Engineering3.75%
General Psychology 3.47%Informatics2.86%
Econometrics & Quantitative Economics3.27%Other Communication & Media Studies2.78%

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 3 months ago

USC is among the top choices of Indian students to continue higher education. India is one of the top countries of origin, with more than 2,400 students accounting for the Indian-origin students. The statistics for other countries are listed below:

NationalityHeadcount
China5,993
India2,444
South Korea510
Taiwan491
Canada392
Iran162
Hong Kong151
Indonesia143
Saudi Arabia115
United Kingdom106
All other countries1,867
Total12,374

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 months ago

Total cost to study at USC depends on course chosen by students. While annual tuition fee at this university could range between INR 18.3 L - 1.04 Cr. Total cost would include living expenses and other personal expenses.  Cost of attendance for academic year 2025-26 is given below-

Particulars

Fees in USD

Fees in INR

Tuition

USD 69,904

Around INR 60 L

Fees

USD 1,743

Around INR 1.5 L

Housing

USD 12,271

Around INR 10.6 L

Food / meal plan

USD 7,660

Around INR 6.7 L

Books and supplies

USD 1,200

Around INR 1 L

Personal and Misc.

USD 2,006

Around INR 1.8 L

Transportation

USD 441

Around INR 38k

For PG courses,  t

...Read more

G

Gunjan Thapa

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 months ago

USC ranks at #21 position for Computer Science – Best Graduate schools. As per the class profile of Computer Science course, 79% of enrolled students are international. Furthermore, the top companies hire the CS graduates such as Amazon, Google, Meta, Salesforce, and Microsoft, Adobe, etc. To take

...Read more

A

Anya Aggarwal

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 4 months ago

The Association of Indian students at USC indulge in everything that Indian students bring on campus. every year, this association holds a number of events that celebrate friendship, community, and Indian culture. It conducts events like Diwali Night, India Night, ISA Freshers, Food fests, Sports da

...Read more

B

Bhumika Kaur

Contributor-Level 10

About the author

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Loveleen Sharma

Study Abroad Expert

Loveleen is a seasoned content writer with 4+ years of experience, currently writing for Shiksha. When he is not writing and helping students, he can be found at the movies, reading fiction, and learning a new language.

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University of Southern California
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University CityLos Angeles, California, USA
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Population of City39,99,759

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Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90089

Los Angeles ( California)

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