University of Southern California (USC) Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Eligibility & Fees

University of Southern California (USC) Admissions 2025: Application Deadline, Eligibility & Fees

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Shreyashi Pathak

Study Abroad Content Specialist | Updated on - Sep 18, 2025

What's New in USC?

18 September 2025: The University of Southern California has announced the MS Applied Data Science application deadlines — Spring 2026 has been extended to October 1, 2025. For Fall 2026, the deadline for both MS Applied Data Science and MS Cybersecurity Engineering is January 15, 2026 (final). Check details.

28 August 2025: The University of Southern California’s Master of Architecture (M.Arch) program has a Fall 2026 Priority Deadline of January 5, 2026, for both domestic and international applicants, with admission decisions released by early March. Check details.

3 June 2025: USC Los Angeles has updated its tuition fee for the Doctor of Pharmacy program to 68,866 USD per year from 67,186 USD per year. 

University of Southern California admissions are offered in Fall and Spring semesters across a range of undergraduate and graduate programs. The applications for University of Southern California admissions in undergraduate programs are now closed. Those who have already applied for admissions will receive their decisions by April 1, 2026 for Regular Decision application. Those seeking admission to the University of Southern California MBA can apply by October 1, 2025 (Round 1).

University of Southern California's acceptance rate is 9.8%, according to previous year's admissions. A total 82,027 applications were received for UG admissions and only 8,050 were admitted while 3,489 of them were enrolled. This means admissions are extremely competitive at the University of Southern California. To secure admissions you need at minimum 3.0 (85%) for both undergraduate and graduate programs.

The required documents for all international students applying to University of Southern California admissions are as follows:

  • Academic transcripts of high school or degree
  • Test scores
  • English proficiency certificate
  • Academic or professional letters of recommendation
  • Statement or purpose
  • Essays
  • Portfolio
  • Passport copy
  • Health insurance
  • Financial statement

Also Check: Documents Required for USA UG & PG Admissions in 2025


University of Southern California Graduate Admission

University of Southern California offers graduate admissions in more than 230 courses including degrees and certificates. The graduate courses are offered by 15 academic departments and schools in areas like engineering, business, linguistics, medical science, journalism and others. Check out the detailed application requirements for graduate admissions at USC:

Application Portal and Fee:

The applications for graduate programs are accepted through the official graduate portal. While other courses including those offered by business school have seperate application deadlines.

Courses Application Portal Fee (USD)
Most USC graduate programs USC Graduate Application $90 (₹7,810)
Marshall School of Business Liaisoncas Portal $155 9 (₹13,451)
USC International Academy International Student Academy Portal $175 (₹15,186)

Application Requirements:

  • 4 years Bachelor's degree 3.0 GPA (85%)
  • English language proficiency
  • Test Scores (Valid up to 3-5 years)
    • GMAT: 715+
    • GRE: 310+

Documents Required:

  • Personal Statement or Essays
  • Academic or professional letter of recommendation
  • Resume or CV
  • Passport copy
  • Financial Evidence

Also Check: MS Admissions in USA


University of Southern California UG Admission

University of Southern California offers undergraduate admissions in more than 150 majors across 23 schools. The most popular majors at USC include business, computer science, psychology, communication, biology, international relations and economics. The requirements and further application details are given below:

Application Portal: Common Application

Application Fee: $85 (₹7,380)

Application Requirements:

  • High or Class 12th qualification with 3.0 GPA (85%)
  • Certified translation of all documents (if not in English)
  • English proficiency requirements
  • External exam results/predicted results
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Essays
  • Letter of Recommendations

USC Admission Requirements for Top Programs

Following are the popular programs at USC which majority of Indian students applied into:

Programs GMAT/GRE Scores ELP Scores
Master of Business Administration GMAT: 732 (average) | GRE: 321 (average) TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0
MS in Business Analytics GMAT Score of 712 TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0
M.S Applied Data Science Not Required TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0
M.S Computer Engineering GRE Score of 315 or better TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 6.5
MS in Computer Science GRE: 151+ [Verbal] | 155+ [Quant] (not required for 2025 admissions) TOEFL: 90 | IELTS: 6.5
M.S Cyber Security Engineering Not Required TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0
MS in Electrical Engineering GRE: 151+ [Verbal] | 155+ [Quant] (not required for 2025 admissions) TOEFL: 90 | IELTS: 6.5
M.S Engineering Management Not Required TOEFL: 90 | IELTS: 6.5
MS in Finance GMAT score of 714 TOEFL: 100 | IELTS: 7.0
MS in Mechanical Engineering GRE: 151+ [Verbal] | 155+ [Quant] (not required for 2023 admissions) TOEFL: 90 | IELTS: 6.5
M.S Pharmaceutical Science Not Required TOEFL: 90 | IELTS: 6.5

University of South California Admission Deadlines

The application deadlines for Fall and Spring intakes at the University of Southern California for international students are outlined in the table below:

Programs Admission Deadline
Master of Business Administration Round 1: Oct 1, 2025
Round 2: Jan 10, 2026
MS in Business Analytics Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)
M.S Applied Data Science Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)
M.S Computer Engineering Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)
MS in Computer Science Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)
M.S Cyber Security Engineering Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)
MS in Electrical Engineering Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)
M.S Engineering Management Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)
MS in Finance Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)
MS in Mechanical Engineering Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)
M.S Pharmaceutical Science Sep 1, 2025 (Spring)
Dec 15, 2025 (Fall)

Also Check: US University Application Deadlines


University of Southern California Application Process

After thoroughly reviewing all the minimum requirements and deadlines, you begin your application for University of Southern California by following these steps:

  • Gather all the required materials for admissions as mentioned above
  • Complete your application and pay the required application fee
  • The application may take 45 - 60 minutes to complete
    • Recommended browsers for USC Application- Chrome, Firefox and Safar
  • Upload required documents and materials as per the program requirements
  • Submit official transcripts
  • Submit test scores

You will receive a confirmation email within 2-3 business days after application submission. This email will include your 10 digit USC ID. You can track your application status.

Also Read: Guide to the U.S. University Application Process for Indian Students


University of Southern California Admission Decisions

The decision generally varies depending on program, season and number of applications received. Decisions for undergraduate applications are typically issued in December to mid-January for Early Action and by April 1 for Regular Decisions.

PG applicants can expect their decision by June for Fall admissions, while by December for Spring admissions. Decision

Majority of applicants apply to the University of Southern California between November to May. Applications received in this season typically take 15 business days to process.


University of Southern California Enrollment Process

After being accepted for University of Southern California, you must submit the remaining documents and confirm your admission within the given timeframe. Below are steps to follow after acceptance to USC:

  • Complete the decision letter and intent to enroll form
  • Pay the non-refundable deposit for commitment
  • Activate your USC NetId
  • Sign up orientation
  • Provide the documents for health requirements:
    • Health insurance
    • Pay the health fee
  • Register for the course
  • Obtain the USCard to gain valuable services at USC
  • Get your transcripts/degree verified
  • Review international requirements:
    • Submit New F-1 Student Request form
    • Obtain USC I-20 form
    • Upload financial documents
  • Apply for housing by May 1, 2025 (UG first year students)
  • Pay the tuition fee

Also Check: Guide to Apply for F1 Visa

Admission into USC is based on a number of factors. The school considers academic performance, feedback from faculties for admission into some specific majors, the personal characteristics of the applicant is among the utmost consideration of the university as it seeks to admit a diverse group of students who have wide perspective and passions which would set up a competitive atmosphere inside and outside the classroom.

FAQs

Ques. How hard is it to get into USC?

Ans. University of Southern California is one of the highly competitive universities with an acceptance rate of only 9.8%. Which means out of 82,027 applicants, only 8,050 are accepted for admission making it amongst the hardest universities to get into. The low acceptance rate also concludes that admission is not guaranteed even if one possesses a high GPA or test scores.

Ques. Can I get into USC without SAT?

Ans. Yes, a candidate can be considered for admission without submission of SAT scores based on what they present including overall academic performance, involvement in extracurricular activities, and other skills that demonstrate their eligibility.

Ques. What are the top 3 majors at USC?

Ans. The top majors that the majority of the students prefer at USC include Management, Business, and Marketing. Apart from this, students may also choose from majors like Communication, Social Science, Journalism, Computer & information system,s and Engineering.

Ques. Does USC give full-merit scholarships?

Ans. USC does offer merit-based scholarships for all students on the basis of academic performance, leadership skills, and other skills.

University of Southern California Program Fees & Deadlines

ProgramImportant DatesFeesApplication FeesEligibilityFinancial Aid
Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Sep 2025)
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Dec 2025)
USD 42,640 /Yr90GPA 3.0, TOEFL(90), IELTS(6.5)
Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Oct 2025)
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Dec 2025)
USD 42,640 /Yr90TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 61
MS Finance
2 years
Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Sep 2025)
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Dec 2025)
USD 45,738 /Yr155GPA 3.0, TOEFL(100), IELTS(7.0)
Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Sep 2025)
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Dec 2025)
USD 37,310 /Yr90GPA - 3.0, TOEFL- 90, IELTS- 6.5, PTE- 61
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Jan 2026)
USD 37,310 /Yr90TOEFL: 90, IELTS: 6.5, PTE: 61
MBA
2 years
Round 3 Application Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake (15th Apr 2025)
Round 3 Application Decision Deadline For Fall 2025 Intake (15th Jun 2025)
Round 1 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (1st Oct 2025)
Round 1 Application Decision Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Dec 2025)
Round 2 Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (10th Jan 2026)
Round 2 Application Decision Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (18th Apr 2026)
USD 80,042 /Yr155TOEFL(100), IELTS(7.0)
Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Sep 2025)
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (15th Dec 2025)
USD 41,927 /Yr155GPA 3.0, TOEFL(100), IELTS(7.0)
MArch
2 years
Application Deadline For Spring 2026 Intake (1st Sep 2025)
Priority Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (5th Jan 2026)
Application Deadline For Fall 2026 Intake (1st May 2026)
USD 47,080 /Yr90Bachelor's degree, IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90
Application Deadline For Fall Intake (15th Nov 2025)
USD 56,757 /Yr90Bachelor's degree, IELTS: 7, TOEFL: 100
-
Application Deadline For Spring Intake (1st Oct 2025)
Application Deadline For Fall Intake (15th Dec 2025)
USD 42,640 /Yr90IELTS: 6.5, TOEFL: 90

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37 Reviews Found

Scholarship

  • Roughly 30-40 students in a batch of 600 students secure TA and RA positions.
  • Teaching assistants are paid $25 an hour and can work up to a maximum of 20 hours a week based on the professor's requirement. RA and DAs get paid slightly less depending on the nature of their work.
  • Front desk workers, support staff in labs, some technical jobs like data analysts, etc. Minimum pay is $17 an hour and can go to $20 an hour; 20 hours are allowed per week max.
  • It takes a lot of time to secure one. You need to have good contacts with seniors to get jobs. Almost everyone wants to get an on-campus job but the availability of positions doesn't match the demand. So you need to apply early and seek referrals.
  • The range is $17 to $25 an hour based on the nature of the job. It is quite difficult to get an on-campus job. Most students get it only in the second semester. USC has an online portal for jobs. Students have to submit their resumes whenever a job opens up. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed and selected based on the interview. Some jobs are known by word of mouth and it is best to get referrals for such.

+5 more
academic: 8/10
faculty: 6/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 6/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 8/10

P

Scholarship

  • No I didn't receive any scholarship nor do I know much about it. 

academic: 8/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 10/10

Scholarship

  • No i didn't receive any scholarship during the course.
    USC Viterbi offers several competitive scholarships for graduate students, though availability is limited due to high demand. 

  • Challenges
    Competitiveness: Merit-based scholarships are rare for on-campus graduate students due to USC’s focus on undergraduate financial aid (20% of undergraduates receive aid vs. <1% of International graduates).

  • External Funding: Many students rely on external scholarships (Domestic)
    International just on On campus jobs

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 10/10
extracurricular: 10/10

N
8.7 /10

Scholarship

  • No scholarship is provided by USC to international students. USC never provides scholarships for international students; it's a written rule and they will not go against it no matter how good a candidate you are.
  • If you are a person who is already a citizen, residing in the United states of America then you have a good chance to get a scholarship, where a scholarship can go till fully funding your tuition fees through the 2 years of masters too.

academic: 10/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 10/10
placement: 2/10
extracurricular: 10/10

Overview

I chose the University of Southern California (USC) for my MS in Computer Science due to its outstanding reputation and the comprehensive, cutting-edge curriculum it offers. USC is renowned for its strong emphasis on research and innovation, providing access to world-class faculty and state-of-the-art facilities. The factors that drove me to accept the offer include the university's robust industry connections and the vibrant tech community in Los Angeles, which offers excellent internship and job opportunities. Additionally, USC's diverse and inclusive environment, along with its extensive alumni network, ensures a supportive and enriching experience. My overall experience at USC has been exceptional. The collaborative atmosphere, coupled with ample resources and extracurricular opportunities, has significantly enhanced my academic and personal growth. Choosing USC for my MS in Computer Science has proven to be a pivotal decision, aligning perfectly with my career aspirations and providing a solid foundation for my future endeavors.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 10/10

Overview

I liked the program of ms in computer science and I thought that it would be a better career option that I had decided to step into. Our university also helps in making connections which is a skill that I needed to develop. Overall my college experience was great. Faculty members are helpful and always ready to support us. I'm quite disappointed about the placement but overall a great learning experience.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 9/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 8/10

Overview

I enjoyed my time at USC. I felt it was academically enriching and that I learned a lot, as well as made many long term friends. The administration very often made it apparent that they cared more about money and profit than the well-being of their students, however. This is not new for USC, which has been involved with many, many scandals. Scholarship, a top film school in the world, location, extremely low acceptance rate, the greater university it was a part of, and its school spirit and prestige.

Scholarship

Yes, Presidential Scholarship: 50% tuition, about 60k a year

academic: 9/10
faculty: 10/10
infrastructure: 9/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 9/10
extracurricular: 8/10

DH
7.8 /10

Overview

I love the unique program of Intelligence and Cyber Operations that USC offers and I thought that it would be a better career path that I had originally decided to step into. Instead of majoring in data science, I would just minor in it to apply it to a different field I was interested in -- cybersecurity. Another reason I took this offer is that USC is close to home and was a cheaper option than the other option I was deciding on. I loved that USC is a social school, built on making connections which is a skill that I needed to develop, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Overall my college experience at USC has been phenomenal and I definitely wouldn't change a thing. It truly is a great place and I want to make sure I can make use of it for the next three years. I know this is cliche but it is the people that make USC what USC truly is. I would love to continue meeting new people and enjoying my time at USC!

Scholarship

Received the Director's Scholarship which is $4,000/year. After the interview process, USC awarded me the scholarship.

academic: 7/10
faculty: 8/10
infrastructure: 8/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 8/10
extracurricular: 8/10

Overview

For admission I required SOP, LOR’s, CV. I mostly focused on demonstrating my past experiences and how did it align with my future program aspirations. One of the top colleges for MEM, Engineering department ranked amongst one of the top in the nation, program structure and flexibility for ex. I can take courses from Business School. It’s great overall. Good campus life with reasonable chances of getting part time job, good infrastructure facilities for recreational activities and enough libraries to make sure we study right before the exams

Scholarship

Nope, its extremely limited.

academic: 9/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 8/10

Overview

"I think the key in general is to ask the professors under whom you have worked to write a recommendation letter so that they can relate and write exactly what you did for LORs. For SOPs I think dictating your like and showcasing the skills required and core values of the universities to your profile makes a lot of difference. I had made it to the final round of Dartmouth just based on making my profile align with the uni values. CV: should be professional one with college and professional work properly filled. " "USC, the main reason was the tag of MEMPC for my program and it's reputation, and the second reason was the flexibility of the course to go through marshall school of business to pick and choose my course. Other factors included the location and weather as well. " I like the overall experience of the university. There's so much to learn, live and experience. It's thrill for sure can be stressful but at the same exciting to learn how to make your own path.

Scholarship

Nope I didn't get any scholarships. I think I had a superb gpa but that's the case with private universities

academic: 8/10
faculty: 9/10
infrastructure: 10/10
accomodation: 8/10
placement: 8/10

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