

University of Southern California: Rankings, Admission Requirements, Placements
- Private University
2 Campuses
- Estd. 1880
University of Southern California Ranking 2027
As per Shiksha Popularity Ranking, University of Southern California ranking stands at #28. Also, the university is ranked #111 in the world by Shiksha Popularity Ranking 2026. The subject rankings for the University of Southern California courses are #8 for MFA, #14 for MArch, #16 for MBA, #28 for LLM, etc.
By Other Ranking Bodies
Apart from Shiksha Popularity ranking, QS has also ranked the university globally. USC QS ranking is #153 in 2027. In 2026, it ranked at #146 in 2026. In the Times Higher Education ranking, California Southern University ranking stood at #73 in 2026.
Subject rankings for USC in the QS rankings for 2026 are-
- Masters in Supply Chain Management: #5
- Communication and Media Studies: #8
- Masters in Business Analytics: 16
- Global MBA: #35
Also Read: Top 100 Universities in USA
University of Southern California Courses & Fees
The University of Southern California courses are offered at the UG and PG levels via its 23 schools and divisions. Over 150 UG and more than 200 PG courses are offered by USC. Study fields at this university are Engineering, Business, Humanities, Health Sciences, Media & Communication, etc. USC offers 300+ STEM based courses. Just for reference, STEM OPT extension is a work authorization for F1 students who have graduated from STEM field in the U.S. As per this, students can extend their stay in the U.S. for additional 24 months.
USC Popular Courses
Popular USC courses among Indian student community are MBA, MSc in Computer Science, MS in CS - Scientists and Engineers and MSc in Applied Data Science. The MSc in CS and MS-BA courses of this university is a STEM-based course.
- Some 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, etc.
USC Online Courses
USC University 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.
University of Southern California Fees in INR
UG students of USC can expect to pay between INR 61 lakh - 73 lakh. For PG courses, the University of Southern California tuition fees for one year can range between INR 21 lakh - INR 12 Cr. Considering the value of studying at this university, the University of Southern California ranking is #64 in the Best Value schools in 2026, as per U.S. News.
What is the cost of Attendance at USC?
The students at USC have to pay the living expenses too. On-campus estimated expenses for Indian students enrolled in the UG courses of USC in 2026-27 can be-
|
Particulars |
Expenses in USD |
Expenses in INR |
|---|---|---|
|
Fees |
USD 1,952 |
INR 2 L |
|
Housing |
USD 13,510 |
INR 13 L |
|
Food |
USD 8,442 |
INR 8 L |
|
Books and supplies |
USD 670 |
INR 63k |
|
Personal and Misc. |
USD 2,016 |
INR 2 L |
|
Transportation |
USD 1,188 |
INR 1.12 L |
Also Check: Cost of Living in USA for International Students
We can fast-track your application in a week.
21 students got admitted to this university
How to get admission to USC from India in 2026?
To apply to USC, students can apply for UG courses via Common App. For graduate courses, students can apply via the direct university's application portal. For the completion of the University of Southern California admission process, students have to pay an application fee. For UG courses, the application fee is USD 85 (Around INR 8.1k) and for most PG courses, it is USD 105 (USD 90 if students are applying for Spring 2026).
University of Southern California Application Deadlines
The application deadlines for USC vary as per courses. A few of the application deadlines for UG courses are given below:
| Particulars | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Early Action (Most Majors) | Nov 1, 2026 |
| Regular Decision | Nov 1, 2026 |
| Regular Decision | Dec 1, 2026 |
USC Eligibility for Indian Students
For 2026-27, there is a test optional policy at USC. But, if students send the SAT or ACT scores, those will be considered. A checklist of documents that Indian students have to submit are:
- High school and college transcripts
- Letter of recommendation
- GRE / GMAT scores
- Financial documents like proof of sufficiency funds, copy of passport, bank statement, etc.
- IELTS / TOEFL / PTE scores
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
For admission to USC UG courses, the Indian students should have completed high school. Admissions to UG courses is done holistically.
Postgraduate Admission Requirements
A Bachelor's degree is required for admission to USC UG courses. A standardized test score may also be required. As per the 2025 class profile, for USC MBA course, the average GMAT score is 742 and the average GRE score was 322.
- 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 |
University of Southern CaliforniaUSC Scholarships for Indian students
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 California Job Outcomes
Many career services are offered by the University of Southern California to international students such as career assessment tools, Your Next Step and Interstride. Also, the university offers resume creation guidance. USC MBA 2025 graduates are hired in industries like Consulting, Technology, Financial Services, Media, etc. The top employers of the MBA graduates include Amazon, Deloitte, KPMG, EY, Mattel, PwC, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, etc.
- Part Time work - 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.
- STEM OPT - After graduating from USC, students can stay up to 24 months in the U.S. and look for a job. Check details about Post Study Work Visa in USA from here.
USC Placement Rate
According to a recent data for 2025, the University of Southern California employment rate for MBA graduates is 71% after 90 days of graduation. The average base salary of the MBA graduates was USD 142,184.
ROI after Education from USC
The salary details for some of the graduates of USC are given below-
| Course | Annual Fee (Investment) | Salary (ROI) |
|---|---|---|
| MBA | INR 77 Lakh | USD 142,184 (Around INR 1.36 Cr.) |
| UG | INR 61.1 L - 73 L | USD 70,000 (Around INR 67.3 lakh) |
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
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 financial aid application
- Next, apply for housing and activate USC NetID
- Complete health requirements, and at the last, review international student requirements
In the case of UG admission, USC conducts a holistic review of the application to consider the academic and personal achievements. The things that are taken into consideration are:
- The performance in the school
- Writing skills
- Test scores (if submitted)
- Personal qualities
Most USC UG admitted students showcase superior academic performance and the potential to do more. These admitted students are ranked in the Top 10% of their graduating class, and their median standardized test score (if submitted) is in the Top 5% of all test-takers.
All international applicants at the University of Southern California have to submit English language proficiency scores. The scores accepted are IELTS / TOEFL / PTE for admission to UG courses. The most competitive applicants at USC have English language proficiency scores that are higher than the specified minimums. For example, the average TOEFL score is above 111, with a score of 25 in each section. The minimum scores required for admission to UG courses are:
Tests | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
TOEFL | 100 and no less than score of 20 in each section |
IELTS | 7 |
PTE | 68 |
The Master of Music Scoring course of the University of Southern California is a 9-month course designed for composers who want to work in the music industry. No auditions are required for admission to USC Master of Music course. Students must have an UG degree for admission to this course. An application fee for USD 105 has to be paid too along with the academic transcripts, resume, LOR, etc.
USC has seen a substantial growth in enrollment from Indian students in the areas Regulatory Science and Pharmacy, Law, Arts and Gaming. USC has close to 2,700 Indian students up to 35% compared to the Pre-Covid 19 pandemic levels, with a majority of them concentrated in Engineering disciplines. USC’s President Folt has said a fourth of the university’s students are international, and 25% is made up of Indian students. Majority of students enroll in Engineering disciplines, but now they are going to study Health Sciences, Business programs, etc.
The most competitive applicants of USC have the following scores (higher than the minimums). Here are the recommended scores -
| Tests | Minimum Score |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 111 |
| IELTS | 7 (or higher) |
| Duolingo | 130 |
About the author
University of Southern California
Building
USC Village
Aerial View

University of Southern CaliforniaCampuses
Zonal Avenue, Biggy St, Los Angeles, CA 90033, United States
Visit official siteUniversity of Southern CaliforniaContact Information
Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90089
Los Angeles ( California)





Comments