Master of Science in Computer Science
3.6 /5
- Private University
Department of Computer Science
Talk to ExpertMaster of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Overview
Our counselors guided 4 students in securing admission to this course. Know moreThe 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 | ₹39.39 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:
1st year tuition fees | Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition & fees | INR 39,38,636 |
Other expenses in 1st Year | Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Hostel & Meals | INR 13,56,682 |
| Insurance | INR 2,69,739 |
Calculated at the exchange rate of 1 USD = INR 88.73 | Tuition & expenses were last updated on 9ᵗʰ April 2025Master 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.
Download exam sample paper
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.
-
Register for TOEFL iBT® Test Today and get Rs 500 Off. Use code SHIKTOEFL to avail the discount. Hurry Register now for TOEFL
- 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 Shiksha's rating, the USC overall rating is 3.6. A few of the components of this that have also been a good rating are quality of faculty (4.4), student life (4.3), part-time work (3.5), internships (3.4), etc. As per the reviews posted by students on Shiksha, here are some of the inputs for USC University:
- The faculty is easily accessible
- The campus is beautiful and the classes that are conducted are very interesting
- Student life is great because the university is very supportive when it comes to helping students. There are a lot of sports and advanced facilities
- Excellent faculty at Film school. The film course under the School of Cinematic Arts (known to be quite competitive) is quite competitive. The faculty at this film school includes renowned names in the industry and they train students to keep in tune with the industry standard
- Mental peace and health are given importance at the University of Southern California
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.
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% |
Total cost to study at USC depends on course chosen by students. While annual tuition fee at this university could range between INR 18.3 L - 1.04 Cr. Total cost would include living expenses and other personal expenses. Cost of attendance for academic year 2025-26 is given below-
Particulars | Fees in USD | Fees in INR |
|---|---|---|
Tuition | USD 69,904 | Around INR 60 L |
Fees | USD 1,743 | Around INR 1.5 L |
Housing | USD 12,271 | Around INR 10.6 L |
Food / meal plan | USD 7,660 | Around INR 6.7 L |
Books and supplies | USD 1,200 | Around INR 1 L |
Personal and Misc. | USD 2,006 | Around INR 1.8 L |
Transportation | USD 441 | Around INR 38k |
For PG courses, tuition fees may vary according to courses, hence, it is advised to check the official website of USC.
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 |
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Application Process
- Submit CV
- 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 |
|---|---|
| #13 | |
| #64 | |
| #101 |
Master of Science in Computer Science at University of Southern California Students also asked
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
The Association of Indian students at USC indulge in everything that Indian students bring on campus. every year, this association holds a number of events that celebrate friendship, community, and Indian culture. It conducts events like Diwali Night, India Night, ISA Freshers, Food fests, Sports day, Holi celebration, Independence Day, etc.
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% |
Yes, the University of Southern California offers various housing options to international students. Some of the popular ones are Weston House, Wallace House, Monty Lodge, Griffith Hall, Park Villa, Carriage House, and more. The monthly expenses of some of the accommodations are given below:
Housing options | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
Weston House | USD 1,100 |
Monty Lodge | USD 5,000 |
Wallace House | USD 1,000 |
Both USC and UCLA are top rated unis and students can refer to the table for a ranking comparison mentioned below
| Ranking Category | USC (University of Southern California) | UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) |
|---|---|---|
| National University | #27 | #15 |
| World University Rankings | #72 | #18 |
Top global universities | #125 | #42 |
| America's Top Colleges | #28 | #13 |
Students are recommended to take a holistic approach while considering their choice of college like location, fees, academics, scholarships etc.
University of Southern CaliforniaStudents Ratings & Reviews
17 Verified Reviews- 37% 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
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