

Master of Science in Computer Science
- Private University
Department of Computer Science
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Overview
The University of Southern California offers a really good Master of Science in Computer Science program at the PG level, which lasts for 18 to 24 months. To get admission to the program, students must meet the requirements for the course which include having a valid score on tests like IELTS, TOEFL and PTE. The University of Southern California tuition fee for the first year of the Master of Science in Computer Science is USD 45,774. Also, the students should budget well for living expenses, which has:
- Accommodation (rent or hostel)
- Food
- Books
- Other important utilities
Duration | 2 years Get Curriculum |
Tuition & Fees | ₹40.06 Lakh Get Fees details |
International Students Admission Website | Go to Website |
Official Career Service Website | Go to Website |
Course Level | PG Degree |
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Fees
For attending the University of Southern California for Master of Science in Computer Science, students have to pay the tuition fee as well as the living expenses. The University of Southern California Master of Science in Computer Science fee structure varies for domestic and international students.
Foreign students will have to pay USD 45,774 for the first-year of study. Other than the annual tuition fee, they will also have to cover the living expenses (includes housing, food, transportation, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses), which is around USD 10,440 for overseas students. Based on the student’s lifestyle and purchasing power, the cost of living varies.
Refer to the table below for the breakdown of expenses for the University of Southern California Master of Science in Computer Science cost of attendance:
| Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | INR 40,05,663 |
| Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Hostel & Meals | INR 13,79,770 |
| Insurance | INR 2,74,330 |
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Curriculum
International students can access detailed course information by clicking the green button below for the University of Southern California Master of Science in Computer Science program. The course PDF includes details on subjects covered, available electives, other course content, and a semester-wise breakdown of the curriculum.
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Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Entry Requirements
- No specific cutoff mentioned
- No specific cutoff mentioned
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- Applicants are required to have completed or be in process of completing an undergraduate degree in computer science or its equivalent from a regionally-accredited university, and must possess substantial computing background
- Applicants without a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science will only be considered with coursework and demonstrated proficiency in a minimum of three* (3) of the core Computer Science courses listed below and at least one* (1) of the Computer Science related Mathematics Courses
- Core Computer Science Courses
- Artificial Intelligence
- Geometric Modeling
- Brain Theory
- Operating Systems
- Compilers Robotics
- Computer Architecture
- Software Design in Computer Science
- Computer Organization
- Software Engineering
- Computer Communications
- 3D Graphics and Rendering
- Computer Vision
- Web Technologies
- Database Systems
- Computer Science Related Mathematics Courses
- Algorithms
- Data Structures
- Discrete Math
- Discrete Structures
- Numerical Computation

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Out of 10
- N/A
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- 3-year Bachelor degree will be acceptable if applicant have done Masters's degree earned at an institution recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC)

Calculate your score and check your eligibility at over 2000+ universities.
Out of 10
- Marks - 90/120
- 90 or above, with 20 or above in each section.
-
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- Marks - 61/90
- 61 or above, with 53 or above on each band.
- Marks - 6.5/9
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- 6.5 or above, with 6 or above on each band.
- Get a Full FREE IELTS Prep Course with Shiksha Study Abroad – Limited Seats for Weekend & Weekday Batches! Register now for IELTS
- No specific cutoff mentioned
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Frequently Asked Questions
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 | |
Standardized test scores (PG) | |
International Application Deadlines | UG: Closed PG: Varies as per courses |
University of Southern California Guide |
USC is one of the world’s leading private research universities and its acceptance rate is proof of the same. When it comes to admission, then University of Southern California is very selective. The University of Southern California acceptance rate reported for is just 11.2%. There were a total of 83,488 freshman applicants at USC, out of which admitted students were 9,345. The average unweighted GPA for entering freshman class reported is 3.68-3.95. Since USC is highly selective when it comes to admissions, students must have good scores.
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% |
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% |
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.
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Application Process
- Official semester-by-semester mark sheets (preferred) /consolidated mark sheets from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Official diploma(s)/degree certificate(s)
- Submit English Language Proficiency scores
- Proof of financial support
- Copy of passport
- Letters of Recommendation (Optional): Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.
- Personal Statement: The personal statement should describe succinctly your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.
- Applicants have the option of a monthly payment plan in fall and spring semesters (a down payment and four monthly installments per term)
- The first payment includes the $50 application fee
- Students must complete each monthly installment no later than the 3rd of each month
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Rankings
| Rank | Rank Publisher |
|---|---|
| #54 | |
| #13 | |
| #45 |
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Students also asked
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 |
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.
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.
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.
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
University of Southern CaliforniaStudents Ratings & Reviews
- 35% students never faced discrimination in this university
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Highlights
- The Master of Science in Computer Science provides intensive preparation in the concepts and techniques related to the design, programming, and application of computing systems
- Students are provided a deep understanding of both fundamentals and important current issues in computer science and computer engineering so that they may either obtain productive employment or pursue advanced degrees
- The MS in Computer Science program requires the student to take a broad spectrum of courses, while simultaneously allowing for emphasis in desired areas of specialization
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Scholarships
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