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University of Southern California Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Requirements & Costs

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Dark Clock Icon Last updated on 25 Sep '24, by Chandra Shekhar (Study Abroad Expert)

USC Admissions
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The University of Southern California admission 2025 application is open for international students. Applicants can submit their online application for UG admission through 'Common App' and via 'Official Website' for graduate admission. Mentioned below are the application deadlines by which applicants must submit their application for UG and PG admission:

  • The USC MBA application deadline for round II admission is Jan 10, 2025
  • The University of Southern California deadline for UG Regular Decision is Dec 1, 2024
  •  The deadline for graduate admission varies by program for international students

University of Southern California Admission Process 2025

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Commonly asked questions
On Admissions

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

A: 

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:

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

A: 
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?

A: 

 In order to apply for the graduate courses at the University of Southern California, first of all, review the programme and application requirements. Check application deadlines, appear for standardized tests (if applicable), 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?

A: 

 In order to apply for BJMC at USC, first of all, do refer to the admission requirements and application deadline. Then, fill out the application form and submit it with the required documents. Once all the required application materials have been submitted, check the status of your admission application.

University of Southern California MS Admission 2025

106 courses 12 months - 5 years
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25L - 68.2L

iconEligibility Criteria

  • Accepting Exams: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, GRE

University of Southern California Application Process 2025

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University of Southern California Enrollment Statistics 2024

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USC
Students Ratings & Reviews

3.6/5
Verified Icon17 Verified ReviewsInfo Icon
Vibe of Campus
  • Sporty
  • Academically oriented
  • Multi-dimensional
  • Fun loving
Student Views
  • 37% students never faced discrimination in this university
Internships3.4
Part time work3.5
Post study jobs3.5
Quality of faculty4.4
Student Life4.3
Value for money3.2
Public transportation3.6
Safety3.4
Indian Food3.9
Permanent Immigration2.9
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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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
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2024
2.5
USC is a decent university
Tips: The neighborhood the university is located in is not the safest, so you will have a tough time adjusting here. It is not the prettiest either and a far cry from the ideas that were fed to you about LA. There are no scholarships offered and getting a job on campus too is very hard given the high demand. There are better locations and universities in the US that would serve better to people who are new to the US.
Likes (Student Life): There are quite a few student clubs and events happening on campus but you need to be the one to track them and put in the effort to attend them. They aren't always the most productive but you do enjoy yourself. The masters courses are usually late in the day so it does give you time to participate in other activities early in the day.
Dislikes (Public transportation): You have free lyft around campus. You also are given a public transport pass so it's decent that way but not the most convenient or safe. But if you need to go anywhere far you will need to buy a car or use Uber which can get quite expensive. On campus, many students just use a cycle.
Reviewed on 8 Feb 2024Read 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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G
Ganpati Goel Verified Icon
MS in Engineering Management (MSEMT) - Batch of 2023
4.1
The University is awesome, there is a lot of competition, sports, extracurriculars and party house.
Tips: Complete assignments on time, make sure to clear all subjects, and join extracurriculars like Table tennis, triathlon club and cycling etc., if you are not into all of this then don't bother coming to USC and save some money. USC is not merely for education but for the holistic development of self if you have missed that in Indian colleges.
Likes (Public transportation): I personally learnt skateboarding and life was so much easier than to walk the whole campus. So skateboarding + public transport I could travel anywhere in the city. USC also has unlimited free Lyft in 2 mile radius around the campus from 6 pm to 2 am. You can get the tap card at a discount for college students.
Dislikes (Post study jobs): In USA: 1. Post study jobs matter on the following: a. Location of University. If you have done college from East Cost you will get a company call back from East Cost majorly and vice versa- the name of the college doesn't matter as much. b. Experience: Your own experience matters. People with prior experience are more likely to secure jobs. c. On campus companies: Very few companies that come on campus sponsor, so it is pretty much useless.
Reviewed on 5 Jun 2024Read more
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A
AnonymousVerified Icon
Master of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2024
3.1
The rich sporty college.
Tips: I feel that my university is expensive and because of the current job market, the investment was not worth it. Other than that, everything seemed fine. They encourage co-curricular activities. The environment here is very diverse and you can make good friends.
Likes (Quality of faculty): Professors over here are really knowledgeable. They know what they teach. They have office hours and encourage students to be interactive. PhD is something that professors here support. Overall I feel that it's great academically. That would be it.
Dislikes (Part time work): The number of students In USC is humongous, and the part-time job openings are relatively fewer. It's kind of hard to get a part-time on-campus job. I would recommend students to hunt for jobs at the lab. Even though it's difficult, it would be worth it.
Reviewed on 29 Jan 2024Read more
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University of Southern California Admission 2025 FAQs

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

A: 

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

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

A: 

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%, the applicants have to go the extra mile to stand out from the crowd. In order to maximize the chances of getting into USC, start preparing for the admission process early, meaning studying for standardized tests, participating in extracurricular activities, striving for a high GPA, starting your application on time, and submitting it before the deadline.

Q:   Does USC give scholarships to Indian students?

A: 

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. Check more details about the University of Southern California Scholarships from our page.

Q:   What are the top five USC majors?

A: 

Some of the popular majors at the University of Southern California that have been specified by U.S. News & World Report are:

  • Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services

  • Social Sciences

  • Communication, Journalism and Related Programs

  • Engineering

  • Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services

  • Architecture and Related Services

  • Mathematics and Statistics

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

A: 

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:

Q:   How good is the University of Southern California?

A: 

According to the University of Southern California 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

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Q:   How hard is it to get into USC?

A: 

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.

Q:   Is GMAT required for MBA at USC?

A: 

Yes, a GMAT score is required for admission at USC, unless the applicants have been granted a test waiver or if there any other exceptions. In order to take admission to the MBA course at USC, applicants need to fulfill the below-given entry requirements:

  • A completed online application

  • A four-year undergraduate degree or equivalent from an accredited institute

  • Academic transcripts

  • GMAT / GRE scores (if applicable)

  • Two required essays

  • A professional resume

  • TOEFL or IELTS scores

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

A: 

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:   Is USC Law worth it?

A: 

 LLM programme at USC has been recognised as one of the ‘Top 10 LLM Programs in California’ by LLM Guide. When you take admission to LLM course at USC, you will become a part of a diverse and dynamic law school community. Furthermore, you will be nurtured by a world-class faculty and get enrolled in small classes. The law graduates of USC include partners in the world’s the largest law firms, CEOs and presidents of multi-billion dollar companies, and leaders of civil rights movements.

Q:   What is the rank of USC in LLM?

A: 

According to U.S. News & World Report, the University of Southern California ranks at No. 20 for its Law school (Gould) in the best law schools category in 2023. The parameters that are considered by U.S. News & World Report for evaluating the institutes are:

  • Faculty Resources

  • Successful placements of graduates

  • Academic achievements of entering students

  • Opinions by law schools, judges, and lawyers on overall programme quality

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

A: 

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

A: 
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 is the average salary after doing MS in CS from 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.

Q:   How much is the University of Southern California cost for international students?

A: 

The estimated University of Southern California cost for international students is vary from INR 18 L to INR 1 Cr for first-year. Apart from the tuition fee, you will have to pay the other expenses like housing, meal plan, books and supplies, personal and miscellaneous, and transportation. Below we have given the University of Southern California fees in rupees for Indian students:

Courses

1st Year Tuition Fees

MS

INR 24.5 L - 60.4 L

MIM

INR 31.39 L - 63.94 L

PG Certificate

INR 17.65 L - 63.35 L

BSc

INR 49.98 L - 52.48 L

BE / BTech

INR 49 L - 52.48 L

Others PG

INR 30.36 L - 66.94 L

BA

INR 49.98 L

MBA/PGDM

INR 53.4 L - 1.01 Cr

LLM

INR 57.88 L

Others UG

INR 49.98 L

Q:   How to apply for USC MBA?

A: 

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

Q:   Is the University of Southern California a good law school?

A: 

USC Law is one of the top law schools in California. In the best law graduate schools category ranking by U.S. News & World Report, USC ranks at the #20th position in 2023. In order to qualify for LLM admission at USC, the applicants must have earned their first law degree (LLM or equivalent) outside of the United States. However, applicants may be considered for admission if they provide any proof of recent legal work experience and hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in another field (outside of the U.S.). Also, submit IELTS / TOEFL score with other required documents

Q:   Does USC have a good journalism program?

A: 

The USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism is a national leader in education in the fields of communication, journalism, public diplomacy, and public relations. The school provides a comprehensive curriculum where the focus is on leadership, innovation, service, and entrepreneurship. Furthermore, U.S. News & World Report has specified that Communication, Journalism and Related programs are one of the popular majors at USC.

Q:   How can I apply for BJMC at USC?

A: 

 In order to apply for BJMC at USC, first of all, do refer to the admission requirements and application deadline. Then, fill out the application form and submit it with the required documents. Once all the required application materials have been submitted, check the status of your admission application.

Q:   Where does the USC School of Journalism rank?

A: 

QS World University Rankings placed USC at No. 2 in its 2022 subject rankings for Communication and Media Studies. Even in 2023, USC has been placed in the 2nd position by QS rankings. USC has been consistently ranking in the same position since 2020.

Q:   What are the admission deadlines for USC for international students?

A: 

International students can check the table below for the University of Southern California application deadlines for undergraduate admissions:

Admission Decision

Application Deadline

Early Action

Nov 1, 2024

Regular Decision

Dec 1, 2024

Note: Regular Decision candidates applying to these programs by December 1 will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.

Graduate Admission Deadlines

Check the table below for graduate admission deadlines at the University of Southern California:

Programs

Application Deadlines

MArch

May 1, 2024 (if space available)

ME (Educational Counseling)

Regular Deadline – Feb 15, 2024

Final Deadline – Jun 7, 2024

Full-time MBA Admission Deadlines

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

Rounds

Application Deadlines

III

Mar 1, 2024

IV

Apr 15, 2024

V

Apr 15, 2024

Note: University of Southern California admission application after Apr 15, 2024, will be considered on a space-available basis.

Check the Admission Intakes in the US Universities 2023-2024

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

A: 

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

Duration

1st Year Tuition Fees

MS  (71 Courses)

12 months-5 years

INR 24.5 L - 60.4 L

BA  (26 Courses)

12 months-2 years

INR 31.39 L - 63.94 L

PG Certificate  (40 Courses)

5 months-5 years

INR 17.65 L - 63.35 L

BSc  (26 Courses)

4 years

INR 49.98 L - 52.48 L

LLM  / BTech  (18 Courses)

4 years

INR 49 L - 52.48 L

Others PG  (44 Courses)

11 months-5 years

INR 30.36 L - 66.94 L

BA  (44 Courses)

4 years

INR 49.98 L

MBA/PGDM  (4 Courses)

1 year-4 years

INR 53.4 L - 1.01 Cr

LLM  (8 Courses)

1 year-2 years

INR 57.88 L

BA  UG  (12 Courses)

4 years

INR 49.98 L

Check the BA  rel="noopener">University of Southern California rankings before applying

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Chandra Shekhar

Study Abroad Expert

With over 6 years of overall work experience in Content Writing, Chandra Shekhar has worked on various content writing profiles like Technical and Education-based. He has been involved in writing for higher education and abroad studies for more than ...Read Full Bio
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Los Angeles, CA, United States, 90089

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