At a glance
- Address
- USC Office of Admission, Undergraduate, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0911
- City
- Los Angeles, California
- Country
- United States — process, visa & costs
- Website
- usc.edu
- Type
- Private
- Founded
- 1880
- Students
- 48,500 (2019)
- Map
- Open the campus on a map ↗
Where it ranks
#68 in the world — ShanghaiRanking ARWU 2025.
Strongest subjects (GRAS 2025)
| Finance | #14 |
| Communication | #17 |
| Management | #17 |
| Medical Technology | #21 |
| Sociology | #22 |
| Statistics | #28 |
How to get in
read on the university's own pages, 28 September 2026Bachelor's (after Class 12)
- Apply via
- Common App — application page ↗
- Cycle
- Fall 2027 entry
- Intake
- August
- Tests
- Test-optional for 2027-28 admission cycle; SAT/ACT considered if submitted
- English
- IELTS 7.0 · TOEFL 100 (min, pre-Jan 21 2026 scoring scale) · Duolingo 130
Also accepts Cambridge C1 Advanced (185+), PTE (68); SAT EBRW 650 or ACT English 27 can substitute - Tuition
- USD 73,260 / year (2025-26) · about ₹70.2 lakh
- Financial aid
- USC does not offer need-based financial aid to international applicants; students must demonstrate ability to fund the full cost of attendance. International students remain eligible for USC merit scholarships (not full-tuition covering).
Deadlines
| Round | Apply by | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Early Action / Early Decision | 1 November 2026 | late January 2027 |
| Regular Decision (performing arts) | 1 December 2026 | by April 1, 2027 |
| Regular Decision (most majors) | 10 January 2027 | by April 1, 2027 |
What you send
- Common App essay
- USC-specific writing supplement
- financial documentation (bank statements, passport copy) required within 2 weeks of deadline for international applicants
Master's / PhD (after graduation)
- Apply via
- direct (department-specific via USC Graduate Admission) — application page ↗
- Intake
- August
- Deadlines
- PhD priority deadline typically December 1; master's/certificate deadlines vary by department
- Tests
- Most graduate programs require GRE or GMAT; scores valid for 5 years from intended term; USC ETS code 4852
- English
- IELTS 7.0 (PhD)/6.5 (Master's), 6+ each band · TOEFL 100 (PhD)/90 (Master's), each section 20+ (pre-Jan 21 2026 scale)
These are ISE-exam exemption thresholds; individual programs may set higher minimums - Funding
- PhD funding (tuition + stipend) is typically offered via assistantships/fellowships per program; master's programs are generally self-funded.
In numbers
US Department of Education, College Scorecard- Admission rate
- 9.8% of applicants admitted
- SAT, middle 50%
- 1450–1550
- Tuition (non-resident)
- USD 72,097 / year · about ₹69.1 lakh
- Undergraduates
- 20,443
- International undergrads
- 13.3%
- Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry
- USD 92,498 / year (all graduates)
Source: College Scorecard — University of Southern California. Tuition excludes housing, food, insurance and fees.
Studying in United States
The US offers the widest range of degree programmes and research universities in the world, with flexible majors and strong graduate schools. Indian students go for choice of subject, name-brand universities, and post-study work through OPT, though costs and visa steps are the highest of any major destination.
- Visa
- F-1 student visa
- Work while studying
- Pre-completion OPT/on-campus work: up to 20 hours/week while school is in session, full-time when school is not in session (USCIS).
- After graduating
- Optional Practical Training (OPT): up to 12 months post-completion (pre-completion OPT time is deducted from it); STEM-degree graduates working for an E-Verify employer may add a 24-month STEM OPT extension (USCIS).
Every subject ranking
ShanghaiRanking GRAS 2025Prepare here, free
Admission facts on this page were read from: admission.usc.edu/prospective-students/how-to-apply/international-students/ · admission.usc.edu/deadlines/ · admission.usc.edu/apply/first-year/ · financialaid.usc.edu/undergraduate/cost-of-attendance/ · gradadm.usc.edu/apply/ · admission.usc.edu/ · gradadm.usc.edu/admission/english-proficiency/ · admission.usc.edu/cost-and-financial-aid/scholarships/ · financialaid.usc.edu/graduate-professional-financial-aid/cost-of-attendance/ · admission.usc.edu/contact-us/ — checked 28 September 2026.