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MS Courses at University of Southern California

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#30 in MS in USA

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University of Southern California MS
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What’s new at the University of Southern California MS in Computer Science MS? The University of Southern California MS course has an application deadline of Apr 15, 2024.

Also, check the University Application Process for the USA.

The University of Southern California MS in Computer Science specializations and fees

The Master in Computer Science provides students with various concentrations and provides intensive preparation in techniques and concepts relating to program language, design, and application of computing systems. The university provides students with an understanding of fundamentals and current trends in computer science and computer engineering.

The University also offers various concentrations in MS in computer science below are the following:

  • MS in CS – Artificial Intelligence (On-campus only)
  • MS in CS – Computer Networks (On-campus only)
  • MS in CS – Multimedia and Creative Technologies (On-campus only)
  • MS in CS – Software Engineering
  • Graduate Certificate in Software Architecture. 
  • MS in CS – Computer Security
  • MS in CS – Data Science
  • MS in CS – Game Development (On-campus only)
  • MS in CS – High-Performance Computing and Simulation (On-campus only)
  • MS in CS – Intelligent Robotics (On-campus only)

Below is the cost of living for international students who want to pursue an MS in Computer Science course:

Fees components

Amount

Tuition & fees

INR 32,16,745

Other expenses in 1st Year

Fees components

Amount

Hostel & Meals

INR 7,66,366

Insurance

INR 2,25,016

Transportation

INR 2,29,246

Books and supplies

INR 99,528

Total

INR 13,20,156

Calculated at the exchange rate of 1 USD = INR 82.9

Cost of living in USA for Indian students

 Entry requirements for the University of Southern California MS course

Below are the requirements for the University of Southern California MS in computer science course:

  • LOR: MS programs ask for a LOR, with particular exceptions. However, the Georgia Institute of Technology strictly doesn’t accept Duplicate letters.
  • Transcripts and degrees: For admission to graduate courses at USC, Indian applicants must have a 4-year Bachelor's degree or Master’s degree (for 3-year Bachelor’s degree holder) earned from an institute recognised by UGC, the applicant must provide the university with transcripts of their academics with degree certificates. 
  • English Language Proficiency exams: The following table explains the minimum score of each English exam the university is accepting: 

English Language proficiency 

Minimum score 

IELTS

6.5 and above with( 6 and above in each band)

PTE Academic 

61 and above (53 and  above in each band)

TOFEL

90 and above( 20 and above in each band)

  • Entrance exam: GRE and GMAT are optional for international students. However, applicants must meet the other requirements thoroughly. 
  • CV/Resume: Applicants must provide an updated resume or CV with their work experience.

 English requirements for the University of Southern California 

The following table explains the minimum score for each English exam the university is accepting. The University allows PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS as their main ELP, and applicants must meet the below ELPs to be considered for the university. 

English Language proficiency 

Minimum score 

IELTS

6.5 and above with( 6 and above in each band)

PTE Academic 

61 and above (53 and  above in each band)

TOFEL

90 and above( 20 and above in each band)

University of Southern California MS course application process 2024

Below is the application process at the University of Southern California BAJMC:

For Undergraduate courses: 

Step 1:  You can apply the official application portal. 

Step 2: Go to the website and select the course you are interested in.

(Applicant must pay an application fee of USD 90)

Step 3: Make sure you meet the Entry requirements (Such as Academic qualifications and English proficiency, etc.)

 Step 4: Once you decide on the course, submit the required documents, Transcripts and personal statements.  

 Step 5: You can track the application's progress through the official portal. 

Step 6: After you apply, you will get an automated email from the university that they have received your application.

The University of Southern California Admission Deadlines

The University of Southern California’s Masters of Science application deadline for Spring 2024 is Sep 15, 2024, and the application deadline for Fall 2024 is Dec 15, 2024 (11:59) Pacific time. Applicants must ensure that they submit the application by these specified deadlines to be considered for admission to the program. 

Intake

Application deadline for 2024 intake

Spring

Sep 15, 2024

Fall

Dec 15, 2024

University of Southern California MS course Acceptance rate

The acceptance rate for the University of Southern California  MS Program is just 12%. The applicants have to go the extra mile to stand out from the crowd. In order to maximise the chances of getting into USC, start preparing for the admission process early, meaning studying for standardised tests, participating in extracurricular activities, striving for a high GPA, starting your application on time, and submitting it before the deadline.

University of Southern California MS course Ranking

The University’s performance in computer science, as given by THE rankings, has seen a slight decline over the past years. In 2021, it held a position of 38 in 2021, which slightly slipped to 43rd in 2022 and further to 53rd in 2023. However, it still maintains to be in the top 50 institutions globally. However, students should check other factors like faculty expertise, research and other opportunities while evaluating a university. Overall the university is surely a good option and stands in the top 50 in the US for MS in computer science courses. 

Ranked By

2021

2022

2023

THE (Times Higher Education) - PG Computer Science 

38

43

53

The University of Southern California MS course Scholarships

  • University of Southern California scholarships for international 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 scholastic review of the applicant. Some of the merit scholarships are Trustee Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Deans Scholarships etc

Check out the complete list of the University of Southern California scholarships

The University of Southern California MS Placements

The University of Southern California has a record of placing its students in well-known companies, indicating a strong emphasis on career. Graduates have found opportunities in tech companies such as Amazon, Apple, Adobe and Cisco Systems. Additionally, they have companies like Aibee Inc. and c3. AI, which is totally into AI and MI sectors. The University also has financial, healthcare and gaming companies showcasing the program's versatility in preparing students with a wide industry role. 

The University of Southern California MS course Cost of living

Below is the cost of living for MS students at University of Southern California:

Fees components

Amount

Tuition & fees

INR 32,16,745

Other expenses in 1st Year

Fees components

Amount

Hostel & Meals

INR 7,66,366

Insurance

INR 2,25,016

Transportation

INR 2,29,246

Books and supplies

INR 99,528

Total

INR 13,20,156

Calculated at the exchange rate of 1 USD = INR 82.9

Which is better?  Is UCLA or USC

Below is the comparison of the top-ranked universities for MS program based on the parameters including ranking and fee:

BAJMC Universities

Rankings 2023

BAJMC first year tuition fees

UCLA

#26

INR 21.91 L - 26.9 L

USC

#53

INR 32,16,745

 

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University of Southern California MS
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University of Southern California
Fees details 2026

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Fee componentsAmount (for 9 months - 5 years)
INR 26.37 L - 96.41 L
INR 7.64 L - 13.61 L
INR 1.88 L - 2.71 L
INR 10.41 K - 3.12 L
INR 20.02 K - 19.67 L
INR 36.19 L - 1.36 Cr
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These are estimated fees information. Actual values may differ.

University of Southern California

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Compare MS at University of Southern California with other similar colleges

College1st Year Tuition FeesRanking
INR 26.29 L - 96.12 L#28 US News, 2026
INR 23.78 L - 69.99 L#29 US News, 2026
INR 23.55 L - 66.35 L#293 QS, 2026
INR 20.52 L - 65.35 L#42 US News, 2026
INR 23.55 L - 61.69 L#40 US News, 2026
INR 23.78 L - 57.45 L#114 QS, 2026
The values are of the latest years available with Shiksha. For more details, check detailed comparison
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University of Southern California MS
Explore Other Courses

University of Southern California MS
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.6/5
Verified Icon16 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Vibe of Campus
  • Fun loving
  • Academically oriented
  • Multi-dimensional
  • Sporty
Student Views
  • 39% students never faced discrimination in this university
Internships3.4
Part time work3.5
Post study jobs3.7
Quality of faculty4.4
Student Life4.2
Value for money3.3
Public transportation3.6
Safety3.3
Indian Food3.9
Permanent Immigration3
A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Science in Applied Data Science - Batch of 2025
4.6
The university offers a diverse range of on-campus job opportunities.
Tips: USC has a strong reputation for attracting top companies to campus for recruitment. Located in Los Angeles, a vibrant city with a diverse economy, it offers students access to numerous internship and job opportunities. Its proximity to the Bay Area, the heart of the tech industry, further enhances these prospects. Many students find internships and full-time roles at leading tech companies, entertainment firms, and startups in both regions. However, it is crucial for prospective studentsespecially international ones, to plan their finance carefully before joining. While on-campus jobs and internships can help support living expenses, they are not guaranteed and may not fully cover tuition or housing costs. Proper budgeting and having a clear understanding of expenses beforehand will ensure a smoother academic journey and allow students to take full advantage of the opportunities available.
Likes (Post study jobs): USC enjoys a strong reputation for attracting a wide range of companies for recruitment, offering students excellent career opportunities. Many organisations, ranging from tech giants to startups, regularly visit the campus for career fairs, internships, and full-time placements. The institution's emphasis on practical learning and industry collaboration further enhances student employability. Being located in Los Angeles, a major metropolitan hub, also adds to the appeal. The city itself is home to a thriving ecosystem of technology, entertainment, healthcare, and finance companies, making it easier for students to network and find off-campus internships during or after their studies. Furthermore, Los Angeles's proximity to the Bay Area, unarguably the heart of global technology and innovation, provides an additional advantage. Students can explore opportunities with leading tech firms headquartered there, including those offering summer internships or co-op programs.
Dislikes (Internships): The university offers a diverse range of on-campus job opportunities, which are beneficial for students looking to gain practical experience, support themselves financially, and integrate into campus life. These jobs span across departments such as libraries, dining services, administrative offices, research labs, and IT support. Many positions are flexible, allowing students to balance work with academic commitments. Working on campus not only helps in earning a steady income but also enhances soft skills like communication, teamwork, and time management. However, the availability of these jobs for international students is comparatively limited. Due to U. S. regulations, international students on F-1 visas are only permitted to work up to 20 hours per week on campus during the academic year. While the university does its best to accommodate international students, many roles are quickly filled by domestic students or have eligibility criteria that favour U. S. citizens or permanent residents. In some cases, language proficiency requirements or prior experience also pose barriers. Additionally, research assistantships or graduate assistant roles, which are more aligned with academic and professional goals, can be highly competitive for international students. Funding limitations or departmental preference may further restrict access. As a result, international students often need to be proactive, apply early, and leverage faculty connections to secure suitable roles.
Reviewed on 30 Apr 2025Read 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.
Reviewed on 16 Jul 2024Read more
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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.
Reviewed on 9 Nov 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.
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.
Reviewed on 1 Mar 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
M.A in Occupational Therapy - Batch of 2026
4
It has been an amazing and very promising experience.
Tips: The campus is beautiful, the classes are interesting, and the university has some courses that allow you to re-attempt tests where you haven't done your best. You will be required to stay up-to-date with a lot of extensive background reading, which can affect your work-life balance. Otherwise, it is a very open and friendly space to learn. The faculty are easily accessible so you can reach out to them. Overall, I am quite satisfied with the course and country.
Reviewed on 30 Nov 2024Read more
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University of Southern California 
FAQs

Q:   Does USC require GRE for MS in CS?
A: 

No, the University of Southern California does not require a GRE or GMAT test, however the university has an acceptance rate reported for Fall 2022 of just 12%. 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 regarding admissions, students must have good scores. 

Q:   What is the minimum CGPA for MS in USC?
A: 

The average GPA for entering freshman class reported is 3.82-4.00. Since USC is highly selective regarding admissions, students must have good scores.

Q:   How hard is it to get into USC Masters?
A: 

The acceptance rate for the University of Southern California Master’s Program is just 12%. The applicants have to go the extra mile to stand out from the crowd. In order to maximise the chances of getting into USC, start preparing for the admission process early, meaning studying for standardised tests, participating in extracurricular activities, striving for a high GPA, starting your application on time, and submitting it before the deadline.

Q:   How good is the University of Southern California for MS in CS?
A: 

Yes, the University’s performance in computer science, as given by THE rankings, has seen a slight decline over the past years. In 2021, it held a position of 38 in 2021, which slightly slipped to 43rd in 2022 and further to 53rd in 2023. However, it still maintains to be in the top 50 institutions globally. Interested students must consider the USC. 

Q:   What is the salary of MS CS at USC?
A: 

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.

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University of Southern California

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Write here...

Answered a month ago

Some of the housing options available, along with the 2025-26 rates are given below for the University Southern California campus:

Housing Options 

Rates/Semester

Freshmen Residence Halls

Pardee Tower (PTD) 

USD 6,190 (INR 5.29L)

Birnkrant Residential College (BSR) 

USD 6,190 – 8,345 (INR 5.29L - 7.13L) 

Undergraduate Apartments

Annenberg

USD 6,310 – 7,290 (INR 5.53L – 6.39L)

Cardinal Gardens

USD 6,435 – 6,790 (INR 5.64L – 5.95L)

La Sorbonne

USD 5,400 – 7,770 (INR 4.74L – 6.81L)

Graduate Housing

Annenberg

USD 6,310 – 7,290 (INR 5.53L – 6.39L)

Manor

USD 1,645 – 1,900 / Month (INR 1.44L – 1.67L / Month)

Stardust

USD 1,585 – 1,900 / Month (INR 1.39L – 1.67L / Month)

1 USD = INR 87.68

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered a month ago

Popular courses at the University of Southern California campus include MBA, MSc in Finance, MSc in Applied Data Science, etc. The list of some of the popularly chosen majors at USC as of Fall 2023, along with the percentage of degree recipients, is given 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 2 months ago

The number of international students enrolled at USC makes up about 26.6% of the total student body. These students represent 130 different countries, and 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 co

...Read more

R

Ridhi

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 months ago

The total cost to study at USC depends on the course chosen by students. While the annual tuition fee at this university could range between INR 18.3 L - 1.04 Cr. The total cost would be inclusive of the living expenses and other personal expenses. The cost of attendance for the academic year 2025-2

...Read more

G

Gunjan Thapa

Contributor-Level 10

Answered 2 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

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Anya Aggarwal

Contributor-Level 10

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sneha

Study Abroad Expert

As a Graduate of a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, Sneha has extensive experience in the study abroad and educational sectors, having actively contributed to the guidance and support of international students in their academic...Read Full Bio

University of Southern California

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University of Southern California
Location

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University CityLos Angeles, California, USA
Size of cityLarge
Population of City39,99,759

University of Southern California
Contact Information

Address

Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90089

Los Angeles ( California)

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