

University of Southern California (USC): Fees, Rankings, Courses, Reviews
- Private University
2 Campuses
- Estd. 1880
University of Southern California Ranking 2025
University of Southern California is frequently recognized for its academics and global reputation. In 2025, the institution achieved a notable ranking of #22 as per the Shiksha Popularity Ranking assessments.
Particularly, its courses such as MIM and BBA have been ranked nationally at rank #4 and #9, respectively. These rankings underscore the university's commitment to providing high-quality education in this domain.
Apart fro the above rankings, the university is also ranked by QS (#125) and QS (#116) in category World University Ranking, respectively.
#107
#28
Commonly asked questions On Rankings
According to a top ranking publisher USC ranks at #27 in 2025 in National Universities category, #77 position for 2025 in the Global Universities category and #125 position in 2025 ranking which shows that the university ranks among the Top 150 Universities in the World.
In the context of U.S. specific rankings, Southern California University indeed ranks among the Top 50 Universities in 2025. In the 2025 edition, USC ranks at #27 as per a top-ranking publisher. USC acceptance rate is very low as the university is very selective at the time of admission. The acceptance rate of this university is around 10%. At present, USC is home to nearly 48,000 students. As of Fall 2024, the total number of Indian students enrolled at this university is 2,400+.
University of Southern California Courses
The University of Southern California courses are offered at the UG and PG levels through 23 schools and divisions. At the UG level, USC offers 150+ course options are available. At the PG level, 200+ courses are offered. Study fields at this university are Engineering, Business, Humanities, Health Sciences, Media & Communication, etc.
USC Popular Courses
The most popular University of Southern California courses among international students are MBA, MSc in Computer Science, MSc in Applied Data Science, BA in Health and Human Sciences. A few of the popular majors at this university are Visual and Performing Arts; Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Psychology; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Computer and Information sciences and Support, etc.
USC Online Courses
The University of Southern California offers 100+ online Master's degrees, Graduate Certificates, and Doctoral programs. Study areas for the online courses are Business and Accounting, Cinematic Arts, Dentistry, Engineering, Health and Medicine, etc.

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Commonly asked questions On Popular Programs
According to a renowned ranking publisher, the graduate Computer Science programme of USC is ranked at No. 21 in the latest rankings. According to the Department Profile for Fall 2024, 79% of students in the MS in Computer Science program are international. This programme provides intensive preparation in the concepts and techniques related to the design, programing, and application of computer systems. Furthermore, students are offered a deep understanding of both fundamentals and important current issues in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. Some of the top employers of the USC MSc in CS graduates are Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, etc.
USC MSc in Applied Data Science program allows students get trained in either Computer Science or either Engineering or scientific disciplines. The duration of this program is 1.5 - 2 years. This program features the application of knowledge and skill in hands-on type experiences. Also, the students of this program will be eligible for OPT STEM extension. The top employers of this course are Amazon, Google, Experian, Qualcomm, etc.
USC MSc in Applied Data Science duration is 1.5 – 2 years. According to the Class Profile 2023 for this, 75% were international students. Students completing this degree have learnt the skills required to work as a Data Scientist. Also, note that this program’s students are eligible for OPT STEM extension.
University of Southern California Admission 2026
Indian applicants can apply for University of Southern California admissions on the university's Official Application Portal. Regarding admission rarities, the university offers admission to students based on the eligibility criteria for the course of choice. To gain admission, all overseas applicants must fulfil the University of Southern California eligibility criteria, which include academic transcripts, GPA requirements, results on standardized and aptitude tests, SOP, LOR, Essay and CV. Additionally, students must provide their results from entrance/English language proficiency tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, GMAT and GRE.
- Application fees :USD 85 - 155
- Type of deadline :Depends on course
| Type of documents | Applicable for |
|---|---|
| SOP | Needed for few courses |
| LOR | Needed for few courses |
| Essays | Needed for few courses |
| CV | Needed for few courses |
| Additional documents | Required |
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
In order to get into the USC as an international student, the applicants are required to meet all the application requirements. General admission requirements for UG and PG courses are given below:
- Application
- Academic transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Portfolio, resume or additional writing samples (as required)
- English language proficiency test score
Requirements for graduate programs
General application materials required for admission to graduate programs are given below. However, note that these may vary as per the courses:
- Statement of intent
- Letter of recommendations
- Writing samples
- Official transcripts
- GMAT / GRE score
- English language proficiency test score
USC admission decision notification varies as per the course levels. The regular decision admission decision will be announced by Early April. On the other hand, the Early Action applicants are notified Mid-to-late January. In the case of graduate programs, the admission decisions are ultimately made by the programme for which an applicant has applied. The length of time required to make the decision varies by program, size of the applicant pool, and type of degree. A general timeline for USC admission decision is given below:
- Most applicants of the Fall term will receive decision notifications by June
- Most applicants of the Spring term will receive decision notification by December
USC University MSc in Finance admission requirement-
- Students must have a 3.0 GPA
- 4-year US UG degree
- Academic transcript
- Financial document
- GMAT or GRE score is required
- English language test score is needed
- Essays
- LOR are not required
University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of Southern California Scholarships
All international applicants who submit an application as per the deadline shall be considered for USC Merit scholarships to study undergraduate courses. These merit scholarships are awarded on the basis of a comprehensive academic and educational review of the applicant. Some of the merit scholarships are Trustee Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, and Dean's Scholarship, etc. International students at USC are not eligible for financial aid. Details of USC scholarships are given below:
| Scholarship Type | Name | Amount Disbursed | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merit-Based | Trustee Scholarship | INR 59.6 L | UG |
| Merit-Based | Presidential Scholarship | INR 30.4 L | UG |
| Merit-Based | Dean’s Scholarship | INR 19.9 L | UG |
How to get Scholarship for USC?
- The Merit Scholarship shall be automatically applied when the students' enrollment deposit is received by the specified deadline
- The merit-based scholarships at USC are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, service, leadership, and talent
- No minimum eligibility requirements are there for merit-based scholarships of USC
University of Southern California Popular Courses
University of Southern CaliforniaStudents Ratings & Reviews
- 37% students never faced discrimination in this university
University of Southern California Job Outcomes
USC MBA 2024 graduates were hired in industries like Consulting, Technology, Financial Services, Consumer Packaged Goods, etc. A few of the sectors where these alumni are employed are Business Development, Engineering, Education, Media and Communication, Arts & Design, Information Technology, etc. International students at USC can work part-time. On-campus employment is limited to 20 hours per week during the Fall and Spring semesters and 40 hours per week during the university and summer vacations.
USC Placement Rate
According to a recent report for 2024, the University of Southern California employment rate for MBA graduates was 80% after 90 days of graduation. The average base salary of the MBA graduates was USD 144,442 (Around INR 1.25 Cr.).
ROI after Education from USC
| Course | Annual Fee (Investment) | Salary (ROI) |
|---|---|---|
| MBA | INR 71 Lakh | USD 144,442 (Around INR 1.25 Cr.) |
| UG | INR 56.32 L - 63.57 L | USD 85,000 (Around INR 75 lakh) |
Top Recruiters
Commonly asked questions On Placements
The average salary of the USC MBA graduates was USD 1.4L (INR 1.25 Cr.). This is equivalent to INR 1.25 Cr. According to the facts, 80% of the full-time MBA students are employed within 90 days of graduation. A few of the top employers of MBA Class of 2024 are Amazon, Google, Goldman Sachs, EY, Microsoft, PwC, etc
The average salary for the University of Southern California MBA 2024 graduates is USD 144,442 (Around INR 1.25 Cr.). Check the table mentioned below.:
Job Functions | Median Salary |
|---|---|
Consulting | USD 175,000 (Around INR 1.52 Cr.) |
Marketing / Sales | USD 120,000 (Around INR 1.04 Cr.) |
Finance | USD 138,650 (Around INR 1.2 Cr.) |
Operations / Logistics / Supply Chain | USD 127,250 (Around INR 1.2 Cr.) |
Other | USD 125,000 (Around INR 1.08 Cr.) |
General Management | USD 120,000 (Around INR 1.04 Cr.) |
On-campus employment is allowed for international students at USC. F1 students can work up to 20 hours a week during the Spring and Fall semesters. During the breaks, students can work 40 hours a week (full-time) during the semester breaks. A lot of international students apply for the following positions:
- Bookstore
- Libraries
- Department of Public Safety
- Transportation Services
- Hospitality Services
University of Southern CaliforniaStudent profile
Others
51%
Asian
24%
Hispanic
17%
Black
6%
In state
41%
Out of state
40%
Foreign
18%
24 and under
97%
25 and over
2%
UG Number of Applicant
Overall Graduation Rate
UG Enrollment
PG Enrollment
University of Southern CaliforniaStudying in USA
Key Facts About USA
Insights on education, demographics & weather.University of Southern California FAQs
USC University has mentioned that no GPA required to get into the MBA course. However, with the facts of the recent class profile, the average GPA of the admitted students can be taken into consideration. So, as per it, the MBA Class of Fall 2024 had the average GPA of 3.5. The average GMAT score of the admitted students was 722 and the average GRE score was 324. Around 35% of the students were international. Many Indian students were also admitted to the MBA course. A 4-year UG degree or equivalent is required to get admission to this course with proper work experience and English language proficiency score.
Yes, most of the USC MBA admitted students have the work experience. The university recommends that applicants have a minimum of 2 years of work experience. To prove this, generally, the university requires students to submit a resume of one page. According to the Class profile of Fall 2024 for this course, the average years of work experience was 5.5 and the average age was 29 of the admitted students.
After submitting USC University application for UG course, students must complete following admission steps-
- Commit to enroll at USC
- Then, complete the financial aid application
- Next, apply for housing and activate USC NetID
- Complete the health requirements, and at the last, review international student requirements
To get into the USC MS in Engineering Management course, the applicants are required to have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Engineering-related disciplines. GRE score is not required for 2025 applicants. The application materials that are required are:
- Academic transcripts
- CV
- Personal statement
- 3 Letters of Recommendation highly recommended
University of Southern California ranking in National Universities category ranking 2026 edition is 28. It is a leading private research university and is among the top higher education institutions in California. USC acceptance rate is low. For 2025, acceptance rate of this university is 11.2%. An overview of acceptance rate and number of applications is given below:
Year | No. of Applications | Students Admitted | Admit Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
2024 | 82,027 | 8,050 | 9.8% |
2023 | 80,790 | 8,032 | 9.9% |
2022 | 69,062 | 8,168 | 12% |
2021 | 71,031 | 8,884 | 12.5% |
2020 | 59,712 | 9,618 | 16.1% |
As of Fall 2024 the total student enrollment at Southern California University is around 47000 of which 26.6% are international students 2100+ are Indians also the top 5 countries of origin are China, South Korea, Taiwan and Canada.
Yes, USC is a distinguished R1 University that provides a wide range of academic degrees. The university is classified among R1 – Doctoral Universities with a very high research activity. It has more than $1 billion annual research expenditures, with the largest programme in Engineering, Science, and Health of all private research universities.
University of Southern California
Student Forum
Answered 2 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 Science | 22.4% | Computer Science | 10.9% |
| Computer Science | 5.61% | Management Science | 7.85% |
| Speech Communication & Rhetoric | 4.94% | Social Work | 5.94% |
| Human Biology | 4.43% | Electrical & Electronics Engineering | 3.75% |
| General Psychology | 3.47% | Informatics | 2.86% |
| Econometrics & Quantitative Economics | 3.27% | Other Communication & Media Studies | 2.78% |
R
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:
| Nationality | Headcount |
|---|---|
| China | 5,993 |
| India | 2,444 |
| South Korea | 510 |
| Taiwan | 491 |
| Canada | 392 |
| Iran | 162 |
| Hong Kong | 151 |
| Indonesia | 143 |
| Saudi Arabia | 115 |
| United Kingdom | 106 |
| All other countries | 1,867 |
| Total | 12,374 |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 3 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
A
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 4 months ago
The USC acceptance rate stands at just 10% currently, making the admission criteria of the university extremely selective. Students admitted and the range of USC acceptance rate are given below in a tabular form:
Academic Year | Number of Applications Received | Number of students Accepted | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
2023-24 | 79,936 | 7998 | 10.01% |
2022-23 | 69,062 | 8304 | 12.02% |
2021-22 | 71,031 | 8,884 | 12.51% |
2020-21 | 59,712 | 9618 | 16.11% |
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
University of Southern California has been ranked well in their Business and Management courses sccording to ranking bodies such as Quacquarelli Symonds and US News. It has received a Quacquarelli Symonds global rank of #34 for MBA courses in 2025. Some of the other MBA rankings at the university ar
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