

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 | ₹41.89 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 41,89,428 |
| Fees components | Amount (for 1 year) |
|---|---|
| Hostel & Meals | INR 14,43,068 |
| Insurance | INR 2,86,915 |
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.
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.
-
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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
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 |
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 |
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.
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% |
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 | |
| #101 | |
| #13 |
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
A few of the subjects of the University of Southern California that have been ranked in Times Higher Education rankings 2025 are Arts and Humanities, Law, Computer Science, Social Sciences, etc. Here are the subject rankings of this university:
Subjects | THE Subject Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
Social Sciences | #48 |
Computer Science | #64 |
Business and Economics | #49 |
Arts and Humanities | #87 |
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.
According to Times Higher Education rankings, USC ranked #73 in 2026. In the previous year, this university ranked at #72 in 2025.
This shows that this university ranking has declined in the current year. Considering these rankings, it can be said that USC ranks among the Top 100 Universities in the world in 2026.
Some of the parameters considered to evaluate THE rankings are given below - Teaching
- Research environment
- Industry
- Research quality
- International outlook
The parameter Research Quality had the highest score with 71.1.
International students at USC are eligible for Merit Scholarships at the undergraduate level. These merit scholarships are awarded on the basis of a comprehensive, holistic review of an applicant’s candidacy. A few of the details about the merit-based scholarships are given below:
- The Trustee Scholarship is full-tuition scholarship
- The Presidential Scholarship is half-tuition scholarship
- Dean’s Scholarship is the scholarship that covers one-quarter tuition
University of Southern CaliforniaStudents Ratings & Reviews
- 32% 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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