University of Southern California (USC) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About University of Southern California
In the heart of Los Angeles, USC blends creative grit with research depth. Students dig into strong work across arts and media, engineering and computing, business and policy, health and social science. Classrooms spill into studios, labs, maker shops, performance spaces, and light-filled libraries, with steady advising, tutoring, counseling, cultural centers, and career advising that feels accessible.
Campus life is loud in the best way. The band, spirit traditions, and that Fight On hand sign set the tone by Tommy Trojan. Clubs, service projects, intramurals, and outdoor trips keep weekends busy, with beaches and museums close by. And the city is right there, from downtown galleries to nearby studios and startups. The vibe is collaborative, a little competitive, and proud. Internships run through entertainment, tech, media, and nonprofits, supported by an active alumni network. Notable names include George Lucas, Will Ferrell, and Shonda Rhimes.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
University of Southern California (USC) offers 266 degree programs across 30 major academic fields, graduating approximately 18,486 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (16 programs, 3,291 graduates), Computer & IT (9 programs, 2,118 graduates), Health (35 programs, 2,013 graduates), Engineering (22 programs, 1,701 graduates) and Arts (32 programs, 1,163 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (16 programs, 3,291 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Management Science | 2,148 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
52.1301 |
| Human Resources Management | 222 |
|
Master's
|
52.1001 |
| Business Administration and Management | 173 |
|
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods | 135 |
|
Master's
|
52.1399 |
| Project Management | 127 |
|
Master's
|
52.0211 |
| Business Administration and Management | 105 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
52.0299 |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations | 95 |
|
Master's
|
52.0799 |
| Business Statistics | 80 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
52.1302 |
| Nonprofit and Organizational Management | 45 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
52.0206 |
| Hospitality Management | 38 |
|
Master's
|
52.0901 |
| Marketing Management | 36 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
52.1401 |
| Restaurant and Food Services Management | 32 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
52.0905 |
| Finance, General | 23 |
|
Post-Master's
|
52.0801 |
| Logistics and Supply Chain Management | 17 |
|
Post-Master's
|
52.0203 |
| Taxation | 8 |
|
Master's
|
52.1601 |
| Business and Management Services | 7 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
52.9999 |
Computer & IT (9 programs, 2,118 graduates)
Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 1,533 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
11.0701 |
| Informatics | 364 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0104 |
| Virtual Environments and Simulation | 65 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
11.0804 |
| Data Modeling and Database Administration | 63 |
|
Master's
|
11.0802 |
| Artificial Intelligence | 40 |
|
Master's
|
11.0102 |
| Information Systems Security and Auditing | 37 |
|
Master's
|
11.1003 |
| Information Science | 13 |
|
Master's
|
11.0401 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications | 2 |
|
Master's
|
11.0901 |
| Human-Centered Technology Design | 1 |
|
Bachelor's
|
11.0105 |
Health (35 programs, 2,013 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupational Therapy | 258 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2306 |
| Public Health | 235 |
|
Master's
|
51.2201 |
| Dentistry | 172 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.0401 |
| Medicine | 172 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.1201 |
| Pharmacy | 171 |
|
Post-Master's
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2001 |
| Physical Therapy | 152 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Health Administration and Management | 137 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0701 |
| International Public Health | 91 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.2210 |
| Health Behavior | 82 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2212 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | 71 |
|
Master's
|
51.1505 |
| Family Practice Nursing | 67 |
|
Master's
|
51.3805 |
| Physician Assistant | 63 |
|
Master's
|
51.0912 |
| Pharmacoeconomics | 54 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2007 |
| Health Professions and Related Sciences | 35 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.9999 |
| Oral Biology and Maxillofacial Pathology | 33 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0503 |
| Pharmaceutical Sciences | 30 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2010 |
| Drug Development | 25 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2006 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 23 |
|
Master's
|
51.0203 |
| Rehabilitation Science | 19 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.2314 |
| Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management | 16 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.2011 |
| Pharmacy Administration and Policy | 14 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (O)
|
51.2002 |
| Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences | 12 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.2099 |
| Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences | 11 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0599 |
| Endodontics | 10 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0506 |
| Pediatric Dentistry | 10 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0509 |
| Long Term Care Administration | 8 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0718 |
| Medical Science | 7 |
|
Master's
|
51.1401 |
| Dental Public Health and Education | 6 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
51.0504 |
| Orthodontics | 6 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0508 |
| Health Humanities | 6 |
|
Master's
|
51.3204 |
| Prosthodontics | 5 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0511 |
| Periodontics | 4 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0510 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery | 3 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.0507 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions | 3 |
|
Post-Master's
|
51.2399 |
| Pharmaceutics and Drug Design | 2 |
|
Bachelor's
|
51.2003 |
Engineering (22 programs, 1,701 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 397 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (O)
|
14.1001 |
| Engineering | 220 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
14.9999 |
| Aerospace Engineering | 203 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0201 |
| Mechanical Engineering | 190 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1901 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 139 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0501 |
| Computer Engineering | 129 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0901 |
| Industrial Engineering | 89 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (O)
|
14.3501 |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering | 75 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.4701 |
| Structural Engineering | 59 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.0803 |
| Chemical Engineering | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0701 |
| Environmental Health Engineering | 28 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.1401 |
| Systems Engineering | 24 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
14.2701 |
| Construction Engineering | 22 |
|
Master's
|
14.3301 |
| Materials Engineering | 20 |
|
Master's
|
14.1801 |
| Operations Research | 14 |
|
Master's
|
14.3701 |
| Petroleum Engineering | 11 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.2501 |
| Civil Engineering | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0801 |
| Transportation Engineering | 9 |
|
Master's
|
14.0804 |
| Chemical Engineering | 8 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0799 |
| Civil Engineering | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.0899 |
| Water Resources Engineering | 1 |
|
Master's
|
14.0805 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 1 |
|
Master's
|
14.1099 |
Arts (32 programs, 1,163 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinematography and Film Production | 233 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0602 |
| Film and Media Studies | 105 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0601 |
| Music Management | 95 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.1003 |
| Acting | 87 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0506 |
| Theatre Arts | 69 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0501 |
| Design and Visual Communications | 63 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0401 |
| Playwriting and Screenwriting | 61 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0504 |
| Game and Interactive Media Design | 47 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0411 |
| Music Performance | 47 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0903 |
| Arts and Media Management | 34 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
50.1001 |
| Stringed Instruments | 32 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0911 |
| Voice and Opera Performance | 27 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0908 |
| Digital Arts | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0102 |
| Music | 26 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0999 |
| Art Studies | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Art History and Conservation | 23 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0703 |
| Dance | 22 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Studio Arts, General | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0702 |
| Keyboard Instruments | 19 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0907 |
| Jazz Studies | 18 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0910 |
| Theatre Design and Technology | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0502 |
| Music Theory and Composition | 13 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0904 |
| Woodwind Instruments | 13 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0915 |
| Fine Arts and Art Studies | 11 |
|
Master's
|
50.0799 |
| Musical Theatre | 10 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0509 |
| Visual and Performing Arts | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
Post-Master's
|
50.0101 |
| Music | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0901 |
| Brass Instruments | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0914 |
| Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | 4 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0599 |
| Film and Video Arts | 1 |
|
Master's
|
50.0699 |
| Music History, Literature, and Theory | 1 |
|
Master's
|
50.0902 |
| Musicology and Ethnomusicology | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
50.0905 |
Communication (8 programs, 1,101 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 274 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
09.0101 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 237 |
|
Master's
|
09.0199 |
| Digital Media and Multimedia | 209 |
|
Master's
|
09.0702 |
| Journalism | 140 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0401 |
| Public Relations and Advertising | 105 |
|
Master's
|
09.0900 |
| Public Relations and Image Management | 79 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0902 |
| International and Intercultural Communication | 54 |
|
Master's
|
09.0907 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 3 |
|
Post-Master's
|
09.0100 |
Law (10 programs, 1,050 graduates)
Legal Studies, Jurisprudence and Professional Law Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Foreign Law Programs | 237 |
|
Master's
|
22.0202 |
| Law | 220 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
22.0101 |
| Legal Professions and Studies | 203 |
|
Post-Master's
|
22.9999 |
| Advanced Legal Research and Studies | 167 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
|
22.0201 |
| Arts and Entertainment Law | 90 |
|
Post-Master's
|
22.0215 |
| International Business and Trade Law | 48 |
|
Master's
|
22.0210 |
| Legal Research and Professional Studies | 37 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
22.0299 |
| American Legal Studies | 25 |
|
Post-Master's
|
22.0203 |
| Corporate and Securities Law | 22 |
|
Post-Master's
|
22.0205 |
| Comparative Law | 1 |
|
Master's
|
22.0206 |
Public Services (8 programs, 997 graduates)
Public Administration, Social Work and Community Services
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Social Work | 602 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
Doctorate (O)
|
44.0701 |
| Public Administration | 168 |
|
Master's
|
44.0401 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 139 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
44.0501 |
| Public Policy Analysis | 48 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
44.0599 |
| Social Work | 21 |
|
Post-Master's
|
44.0799 |
| Public Administration and Social Services | 11 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
44.9999 |
| Transportation and Infrastructure Planning | 4 |
|
Post-Master's
|
44.0403 |
| International Policy Analysis | 4 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
44.0504 |
Interdisciplinary (14 programs, 868 graduates)
Cross-Disciplinary Studies and Integrated Research Programs
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Human Biology | 282 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2701 |
| Business Analytics | 208 |
|
Master's
|
30.7102 |
| Gerontology | 124 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
30.1101 |
| Cognitive Science | 70 |
|
Bachelor's
|
30.2501 |
| Multi- and Interdisciplinary Studies | 49 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30.9999 |
| Dispute Resolution | 31 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
30.2801 |
| Nutrition Sciences | 29 |
|
Master's
|
30.1901 |
| Global Studies | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
30.2001 |
| Historic Preservation and Conservation | 13 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
30.1201 |
| Science, Technology, and Society | 12 |
|
Master's
Post-Master's
|
30.1501 |
| Behavioral Sciences | 12 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
30.1701 |
| Sustainability Studies | 9 |
|
Post-Master's
|
30.3301 |
| Mathematics and Computer Science | 4 |
|
Master's
|
30.0801 |
| Marine Sciences | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
30.3201 |
Social Sciences (11 programs, 859 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Econometrics and Quantitative Economics | 363 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0603 |
| International Relations | 142 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0901 |
| Political Science and Government | 131 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1001 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 61 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Post-Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0702 |
| Sociology | 53 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1101 |
| Social Sciences | 33 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| Political Economy | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1004 |
| Urban Studies and Affairs | 21 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.1201 |
| Anthropology | 20 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0201 |
| Research and Quantitative Methods | 11 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0102 |
| Archaeology | 3 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0301 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at University of Southern California (USC).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about University of Southern California (USC)
How much does it cost to attend University of Southern California (USC)?
The annual tuition at University of Southern California (USC) is $68,237 for in-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $90,453 for in-state students. Additional costs include room and board $19,198 and books and supplies $1,200.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does University of Southern California offer?
University of Southern California (USC) offers 266 academic programs across 30 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Post-Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional), Doctorate (Other).
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (16 programs)
- Computer Science, Information Technology and Cybersecurity (9 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (35 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (22 programs)
- Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance (32 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for University of Southern California?
University of Southern California (USC) has an 10% acceptance rate and a 44.9% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 80,808
- Students admitted: 8,094
- Students enrolled: 3,633
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at University of Southern California?
University of Southern California (USC) provides financial aid to 17% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $43,208 and average loans of $9,085.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,645
- State/Local grants: $9,369
- Institutional grants: $39,554
- Federal loans: $4,897
The university supports 2,319 students with grants and 866 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for University of Southern California graduates?
University of Southern California (USC) graduates earn a median salary of $74,461 after 6 years and $92,498 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $58,692 (25th percentile) to $141,338 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $143,900 (90th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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