How hard is it to get into USC?

The University of Southern California acceptance rate is around 10%, which means out of 100 applicants only 10 admitted. The moderatly high acceptance rate maskes USC admission highly competitive for international students. USC is one of the world’s leading private research universities and its acceptance rate is proof of the same. Applicants can apply for admission before the USC deadline. There were a total of 69,062 freshman applicants at USC. The average unweighted GPA for entering freshman class reported is 3.82-4.00. Since USC is highly selective when it comes to admissions, students must have good scores. USC reviews the applicants’ performance in school, any test scores that have been submitted, writing skills, and personal qualities like leadership, community involvement, and leadership.

How many international students are present at the University of Southern California?

According to the official statistics for Fall 2024, over 82,000 applications were received by the University of Southern California, of which more than 8,000 students were admitted, and only 3,489 got enrolled. Out of the total enrollment, 26.6% of students were international. Students can check the enrollment statistics and ethnicity breakdown for the Fall admission below: Particulars Headcount 2024 Fall Applicants 82,027 Fall Admits 8,050 (9.8% admitted) Fall Enrolls 3,489 (43.3% yield) Ethnicity Breakdown: Ethnicity Percentage of students Asian 19.8% Black/African American 6.1% Hispanic 17.1% White/Caucasian 21.9% International 26.6% Other 8.5%

Does USC give scholarships to Indian students?

Yes, USC gives scholarships to international students. All international applicants who apply as per the appropriate deadline become eligible for USC Merit Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of a comprehensive academic and scholastic review of the candidacy of an applicant. As such, there are no minimum eligibility requirements for USC Merit Scholarships.

Does the University of Southern California give scholarships to international students?

International students at USC are not eligible to receive federal or need-based financial aid, they are eligible for undergraduate merit-based scholarships and / or departmental awards. All international students who submit an application by the appropriate deadline are eligible for USC merit scholarships. These merit-based scholarships are not based on financial need and are awarded on the basis of a comprehensive, holistic review of the applicants. Also, note that there are no minimum eligibility requirements for USC merit scholarships as such.

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

Q: How can I get into the University of Southern California from India?

International students who wish to study at USC University must meet the below admission requirements: USC UG requirements: Complete Year X and Year XII state board or CBSE/ICSE exams. Competitive applicants typically achieve high marks, primarily A1 and A2 grades or scores above 80. Additional test scores of ACT/SAT (not mandatory) English language proficiency test score USC PG requirements: A bachelor's degree from recognized university/college GRE or GMAT as per your program requirement English language proficiency test score Resume/Curriculum Vitae Recommendation Letters Check the Requirements to Study in the USA for International Students

Q: What are the English language requirements to get into USC?

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

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Last updated on 26 Aug '26

University of Southern California Admissions

Table of contents

University of Southern California Application Deadlines 2027
How to get into University of Southern California from India?
University of Southern California Admission Requirements 2027
- University of Southern California MS Admission 2026
- University of Southern California MBA Admission 2026
University of Southern California Enrollment Statistics 2027
University of Southern California Students review
+ 1 more item

University of Southern California Application Deadlines 2027

International students can choose to apply in either the Fall or Spring intake in a year. The Fall intake is when most of the USC courses are open for application. This one starts in August/September. The USC Marshall School of Business has a rounds system of admission in a year.

University of Southern California Application Deadlines 2027

The University of Southern California deadlines vary from one program to another. The regular decision deadline for UG admission is Jan 10, 2027, for international students. International students can check the table below for the USC application deadlines for undergraduate admissions:

Admission Decision	Application Deadline
Early Decision	Nov 1, 2026
Regular Decision	Jan 10, 2027

Graduate Admission Deadlines

Check the table below for USC deadlines for graduate admission:

USC Schools	Application Deadlines (MS)
USC Viterbi School of Engineering	Spring 2027: Sep 01, 2026
USC School of Architecture	Fall 2026: Jul 01, 2026

Full-time MBA Admission Deadlines 2026

International students can check the University of Southern California MBA deadline in the table below:

Rounds	Application Deadlines	Admission Decision
II	Jan 15, 2026	Apr 15, 2026
III	Apr 15, 2026	Jun 1, 2026

Commonly asked questions

Q: What are the different intakes for MBA Courses at USC?

The University of Southern California offers only one primary intake for MBA Courses per year, which is the Fall Intake starting in July or August. The admission takes place in multiple rounds. International students are advised to apply within Round 1 and Round 2 so, they get sufficient time for the visa process.

Q: What are the deadlines for B.A Courses at USC?

The admissions for B.A Courses at University of Southern California as a first year student takes place in the Fall Intake. There are three windows available for the Fall Intake-

Early Action (EA) & Early Decision (ED) – Nov 1, 2026

Regular Decision – Dec 1, 2026

Final Regular Decision – Jan 10, 2027

How to get into University of Southern California from India?

As an international student, if you want to apply for the University of Southern California admissions, you need to meet some admission requirements as well as follow the USC application process.

Look at the steps given below -

Firstly, you should go through all the important admission requirements and also check the USC eligibility of yours for the chosen program.
Then, gather all the required documents and upload all of them on to the portal. These docs include the academic transcripts, English language proficiency test scores, entrance test scores if needed.
Now, to submit the application, you should pay the USC application fee of USD 75 (INR 6.5K).
At the end of the University of Southern California application process, all that is left is to wait for application decision from the university.

What all documents do you need for application submission?

International students need to submit some important documents as part of the admission process at USC. The requirement might vary based on the nature and level of the course.

Look at the document checklist given below:

Required Documents for University of Southern California UG Application	Required Documents for University of Southern California PG Application
Academic Transcripts (Of all the completed courses ad grades for all semesters)	Transcripts
A copy of valid Passport	GMAT or GRE
English language proficiency tests (TOEFL and IELTS)	For some courses, a portfolio or video recordings
Health Insurance	Letters of recommendation
A completed visa application	English language proficiency tests (TOEFL and IELTS)
Passport-sized photographs	Completed application
Additional documents like LORs, essays and personal statement	An updated resume or a CV

Commonly asked questions

Q: How can I get into the University of Southern California from India?

International students who wish to study at USC University must meet the below admission requirements:

USC UG requirements:

Complete Year X and Year XII state board or CBSE/ICSE exams.
Competitive applicants typically achieve high marks, primarily A1 and A2 grades or scores above 80.
Additional test scores of ACT/SAT (not mandatory)
English language proficiency test score

USC PG requirements:

A bachelor's degree from recognized university/college
GRE or GMAT as per your program requirement
English language proficiency test score
Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Recommendation Letters

Check the Requirements to Study in the USA for International Students

Q: How to apply for USC MBA?

In order to apply for the pg courses at the University of Southern California first of all review the programme and application requirements. Check application deadlines, appear for standardized tests and collect the required documents. Then complete the online application and submit the required documents. Lastly check your admission decision.

Q: How can I apply for BJMC at USC?

In order to apply for BJMC at USC first of all do refer to admission requirements and application deadline. Once all required application materials have been submitted, check the status of your admission application.

Q: Why choose the University of Southern California?

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.

University of Southern California Admission Requirements 2027

The University of Southern California courses are available at over 355 UG and PG levels. International students must meet the admission requirements to study UG and PG programs. The University of Southern California fee varies from INR 18 L to INR 1 Cr. The below table includes graduate courses with admission requirements:

University of Southern California PG Admission Requirements 2026

The university has 228 master's courses to offer to international students. Courses like MS in Computer Science, Full-time MBA, MS in Applied Data Science are really popular. The students generally need a UG degree for a PG application.

Look at the table given below for PG admission requirements -

PG Programs	Academic Qualifications	English Proficiency Requirements	Documents Required	Interview
MS(9 months-5 years)	Complete a four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an accredited institution.	TOEFL: 90 - 100, IELTS: 6.5 - 7, PTE: 61 - 68	Academic transcripts TOEFL/IELTS score GMAT/GRE Scores Two essays Resume LORs Personal statement Financial proof	Not required
MBA/PGDM(12 months-4 years)	Complete a four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an accredited institution.	TOEFL: 90 - 114, IELTS: 6.5 - 8, PTE: 61 - 70	Academic transcripts TOEFL/IELTS score GMAT/GRE Scores Two essays Resume LORs Personal statement Financial proof	Required
M.Arch(1 year-4 years)	Complete a four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an accredited institution	TOEFL: 90 - 114, IELTS: 6.5 - 8, PTE: 70 & Above	Academic transcripts TOEFL/IELTS score GMAT/GRE Scores Two essays Resume LORs Personal statement Financial proof	Not required
MDS	Complete a four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an accredited institution	TOEFL: 90 - 100, IELTS: 7 & Above, PTE: 68 & Above	Academic transcripts TOEFL/IELTS score GMAT/GRE Scores Two essays Resume LORs Personal statement Financial proof	Not required
Executive MBA/PGDM	Complete a four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an accredited institution	IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 90 & Above, PTE: 61 & Above	Academic transcripts TOEFL/IELTS score GMAT/GRE Scores Two essays Resume LORs Personal statement Financial proof	Required

University of Southern California UG Admission Requirements 2026

Undergraduate courses like BS in Astronautical Engineering, Business Administration, Animation, and Accounting are among the popular courses offered at USC. The students need a high school diploma to apply for UG admissions here -

UG Programs	Academic Qualifications	English Proficiency Requirements	Documents Required
B.Sc.(4 years)	Complete a high school degree in a relevant discipline	IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 68 & Above, Duolingo: 130 & Above	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score ACT/SAT score CV/Resume (if required) Portfolio (if required) LOR
B.E. / B.Tech(4 years)	Complete a high school degree in a relevant discipline	IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 60 - 68, Duolingo: 130 & Above, SAT	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score ACT/SAT score CV/Resume (if required) Portfolio (if required) LOR Financial proof
BBA(4 years)	Complete a high school degree in a relevant discipline	IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 68 & Above, SAT, Duolingo: 130 & Above	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score ACT/SAT score CV/Resume (if required) Portfolio (if required) LOR Financial proof
BFA(4 years)	Complete a high school degree in a relevant discipline	IELTS: 7 & Above, TOEFL: 100 & Above, PTE: 68 & Above, SAT, Duolingo: 130 & Above	Academic transcripts IELTS/TOEFL score ACT/SAT score CV/Resume (if required) Portfolio (if required) LOR Financial proof

University of Southern California Visa Documents Required

Mentioned below is the list of documents required for a US Visa for international students:

A valid passport with a validity date of at least six months beyond your period of stay
A printed copy of DS-160, the online application form
SEVIS Fee Receipt
Interview appointment letter (original and copy)
Form I-20 sent by the college (where you are going to study)
Visa fee payment confirmation receipt
Pay/salary slips
Original mark sheets/provisional certificates
Score sheet of exams like TOEFL or IELTS as ELP proofs along with either ACT or SAT for UG admissions or GMAT or GRE for PG admissions
Financial wellness proof

Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

Q: What are the English language requirements to get into USC?

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?

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: What GPA do you need to get into the University of Southern California?

As specified by USC itself, there is no minimum requirement or cut-off for grades, class rank or test scores for admission. USC evaluates incoming first-year students through an individualized and compressive review process that takes many factors into account like academic performance and personal characteristics. USC will review the following things before granting admission:

Performance in school
Rigor of your program
Writing skills
Any test score, if submitted
Personal qualities as brought to light in community involvement, leadership and achievements

University of Southern California MS Admission 2026

132 courses 9 months - 5 years

International graduate applicants can apply for graduate programs at USC through the university's online system and submit the required application materials by the deadline. The University of Southern California MS course ranks among the top 100 in the world by major ranking bodies and #30 by Shiksha Popularity Ranking. Aerospace Engineering and Computer Science Engineering are the two most popular MS specializations at the university.

Total Tuition Fees₹ 28.3L - 83.9L

Eligibility Criteria

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

Commonly asked questions
On MS Admissions

Q: What is the CGPA requirement for MS in CS at the University of Southern California?

As such, USC does not have a university-wide minimum GPA requirement for admission into graduate courses. The applicants who want to take admission in the graduate courses of USC are evaluated on the factors like academic performance, statement of purpose, test scores, letters of recommendation, and whether or not their academic and research interests are the required fit with the degree program.

Q: What is the average salary after doing MS in CS from USC?

According to Emolument, the average salary of an MS graduate of USC is $100,000. Even unofficial sources cite that the MS in Computer Sciences graduates of USC can get around $100,000+ per year. U.S. News & World Report has ranked the Computer Science graduate school of USC at #23 position.

Q: Is GRE required for MS in CS at USC?

As mentioned by the University of Southern California itself, GRE test scores are not required for admissions to MS in CS in 2023. However, apart from this, the applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or be in process of completing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science. The applicants must submit the following too:

Academic Transcripts
Resume / CV
Personal Statement
Letters of Recommendation (Optional)
IELTS / TOEFL score

View course details

University of Southern California MBA Admission 2026

28 courses 12 months - 4 years

International students can apply for the University of Southern California MBA program through the university's online system and submit the required application materials by the deadline. USC ranks among the top 100 MBA universities in the world by major ranking bodies in 2026. The University of Southern California MBA fees is around INR 34 L to INR 1 Cr for first-year. Students applying for the MBA course at USC are required to have a four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from an accredited institution along with GRE or GMAT scores.

Also read: Top Ranked MBA Universities in the USA

Total Tuition Fees₹ 36.3L - 1.3Cr

Eligibility Criteria

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

Commonly asked questions
On MBA/PGDM Admissions

Q: Is an MBA from the University of Southern California worth it?

According to a recent report on full-time MBA students for 2022-23, 97% of USC’s full-time MBA graduates had jobs three months after graduation. This is the highest percentage ever. Base salaries were also at a 5-year high - $150, 314 on average. The top employers include Amazon, EY, Google, Goldman Sachs, Deloitte, McKinsey & Company, etc.

Q: What are the MBA rankings as per Bloomberg at USC?

The University of Southern California offers 28 MBA programs for the International student. The University has been ranked at #111 globally, #28 in USA and #16 in MBA Courses as per Shiksha's Popularity Ranking. The Ranking as per Bloomberg is given below:

Ranked by	2024	2025	2026
Bloomberg – Best Business School USA	30	20	-/-

View course details

University of Southern California Admission 2027 FAQs

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

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

Q: Is housing available at the University of Southern California?

Yes, University of Southern California offers a large variety of housing options to its Indian students. University of Southern California is among the top choice of Indian students to continue higher education. The university offers various programs at UG and OG levels for its students. The monthly expenses of some of the accommodations are given below-

Particulars	Monthly Cost
Weston House	USD 1,100
Monty Lodge	USD 5,000
Wallace House	USD 1,000

Q: How can I increase my chances of getting into USC?

The University of Southern California is very selective when it comes to admissions. Since the recorded USC’s acceptance rate for Fall 2022 is just 12%. In order to maximize the chances of getting into USC, start preparing for the admission process early, meaning studying for standardized tests, extracurricular activities, a high GPA, starting your application on time, and submitting it before the deadline.

Q: How good is the University of Southern California?

According to the USC 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	Download

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Khushi Arora

Study Abroad Expert

Khushi Arora is an education writer with an experience of over 3 years. She helps students from India to choose between different courses that align with their interests in the favourable Universities abroad. She leads content for Un... Read Full Bio