Skip to content
GradSchools.com
  • Browse by Major
    • All Subjects
    • Business
    • Criminal Justice & Legal
    • Education
    • Fine Arts & Design
    • Health & Medicine
    • Liberal Arts & Humanities
    • Math, Science & Engineering
    • Nursing
    • Psychology
    • Public Affairs & Social Sciences
    • Religious Studies
    • Technology
  • Masters
  • PhDs
  • Online
  • Browse Colleges
  • Browse By Location
    • Search By State
    • Search by City
    • International Programs
    • For Canadian Students
  • Degree Guide
  • Get Informed
    • Admissions
    • Careers
    • Financial Aid
    • Student Guide
  1. Home
  2. Institutes
  3. University of Southern California

University of Southern California

School Overview
Financial Aid
Campuses
Request Information Now

About University of Southern California

Located in Los Angeles, California, the University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit school that offers more than 400 graduate and professional programs in areas such as medicine, law, engineering, and the social sciences. As a research university, it holds the Carnegie classification of “Highest Research Activity” for Doctoral Universities. It offers degrees on campus, online, and in hybrid formats.

During fall 2016, University of Southern California graduate programs utilized 1,931 total graduate assistants—677 in teaching and 1,254 in research-related activities.i For graduate students who want to develop their knowledge and skillset at a world-renowned research university, the USC campus might prove to be a great option.

institution type
Type of Institution
4 yr
Private not-for-profit
institution tuition
Tuition Range
Over $35K
student to faculty ratio
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
9:1
financial aid percent
Financial Aid Percent
62%
graduate rate
Graduation Rate
Not available
accreditation status
Accreditation Status
Accredited

Tuition

Range shown below is based on In-state tuition and does not include any external costs such as housing, books, etc.

Estimate Tuition Range
$$$$.................................. $0 - $15,000
$$$$.................................. $15,001 - $25,000
$$$$.................................. $25,001 - $35,000
$$$$.................................. $35,001 or above

Financial Aid Percent

Includes students receiving Federal work study aid as well as aid from pell grants,federal grants, scholarships, and other sources of financial aid.

Why Consider the University of Southern California?

Besides the fact that USC is a topnotch research institute, there are many great reasons to consider attending the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles. The 15-acre student learning and living complex exists in the heart of Los Angeles, a global center for technology, international business, and the arts. Plus, USC leadership and academic, social, and recreational programming helps provide a culturally rich and dynamic learning environment.

Here are some other great reasons to consider USC:

USC’s Research Projects

As a research institute, USC provides a steady stream of ideas, innovations, and new technologies, art, and knowledge to the global community. It has nearly $700 million in annual research expenditures and has a large graduate program in science, engineering, and health, where many of its projects live. An Office of Research, research centers, labs and research services, clinical trials, and programs for managing grants and contracts all make research at USC a worthwhile endeavor.

The USC Ranking

U.S. News ranked the University of Southern California #21 (tie) in National Universities. The school ranked #5 (tie) in Best Colleges for Veterans and # 15 (tie) in Most Innovative Schools. At the graduate level, University of Southern California majors ranked #1 in Physical Therapy, #3 in Occupational Therapy, #4 in Public Affairs, #9 in Pharmacy, and #12 in Social Work. USC ranked #11 in Best Engineering Schools, #15 in Best Education Schools, #19 in Best Law Schools, and #24 in Best Business Schools. These high rankings are just some of many.

USC Distinguished Faculty

USC’s distinguished faculty consists of 4,000 innovative scholars, teachers, researchers, and mentors, five of whom are Nobel laureates. Dozens of other faculty members have received national honors such as the:

  • MacArthur “Genius” Award
  • Guggenheim Award
  • National Medal of the Arts
  • National Humanities Medal
  • National Medal of Science
  • National Medal of Technology and Innovation
  • Pulitzer Prize

And, of USC’s 4,069 full-time faculty members, nearly half conduct research in addition to working as instructors.i

Dual Degrees and Progressive Master’s Degree Programs

Numerous graduate programs partner with other graduate programs to offer dual degrees, or degree programs that enable students to earn two degrees at once. Some students opt to earn two complimentary master’s degrees at once, while others opt to earn a master’s degree and a doctorate degree at once. Dual degree programs enable students to pursue more education in less time and in complimentary subjects. Similarly, progressive master’s degree programs enable undergraduate students to begin pursuing their master’s degree while still earning their bachelor’s degrees.

USC’s Location

The University of California Los Angeles campus is located in the heart of the city’s Downtown Arts and Education Corridor. This culturally thriving area gives students access to some of Los Angeles’ most beautiful and historical spots. Even on campus, students have access to classic architecture, museums, cafes, entertainment, and park-like grounds. Plus, the campus hosts a range of activities for the city, such as festivals, plays, sports events, and more.

Request Information

Mission, Vision and Values

Overall, the University of Southern California devotes itself to the development of human beings and society through the cultivation and enrichment of the human mind and spirit. The school primarily embraces teaching, research, artistic creation, professional practice, and public service to fulfill its mission.

University of Southern California Location

Admissions:

The University of Southern California admission requirements differ for each graduate-level program. Therefore, prior to submitting your application to USC graduate school, you should read your program’s requirements carefully. In general, however, you will have to submit the following items to apply:
  • An online application
  • Transcripts
  • GRE/GMAT or other test scores
  • A resume or curriculum vitae
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Supplemental materials (such as a statement of purpose or writing sample
  • An application fee of anywhere from $90-$175
Also note that international applicants might need to submit additional documentation, such as TOEFL scores and visas.

Enrollment, Attendance, Retention Rates and Graduation

University of Southern California has a total graduate enrollment of 27970
Graduate attendance rate of 22% part-time and 78% full-time
For the years 2018-2019 University of Southern California awarded: 5166 bachelor's degrees, 9216 master's degrees, 1476 post-master's certificates, 73 doctor's degrees, 936 doctor's degrees - professional practice, 850 doctor's degrees - research/scholarship

Financial Aid

Prospective graduate students can apply for various types of financial aid, such as scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, federal work-study, and Federal Direct Unsubsidized loans (Stafford loans). Options like these and others can help students pay their University of Southern California tuition. Note that international and military students might have distinct or additional options.

Accreditation is a process conducted by independent agencies to helps ensure that schools’ programs and curricula meet acceptable levels of quality set by the U.S. Department of Education. USC Los Angeles has institutional accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, Senior College and University Commission. It also has specialized or programmatic accreditation from:

  • The Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
  • The American Bar Association, Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar
  • The American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation
  • The American Occupational Therapy Association, Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education
  • The Council on Education for Public Health
  • The Liaison Committee on Medical Education
  • The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs

These are just some of USC’s programmatic accreditation. Once you’ve found the program of your choice, you can inquire with the program directly to discern whether or not it is accredited.

Campus Locations

    More than 400 USC graduate programs serve a diverse community of scholars through several schools: The Keck School of Medicine; the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences; the USC Viterbi School of Engineering; and others. Dedicated to research and advancing knowledge in their fields, faculty across disciplines help graduate students pursue master’s degrees, doctorate degrees, and graduate certificates. The USC graduate school offers options for dual degrees and progressive master’s degrees.

    University of Southern California Graduate Programs Highlight: the Master of Social Work

    During the 2016-2017 school year, 1,472 students at USC earned a master’s degree in social work, making it one of the most popular USC majors at the graduate-level. Offered through the Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work, USC’s Master of Social Work is offered on campus or online. It helps students pursue careers as clinical social workers and to develop their knowledge of policy practice, advocacy, and program administration. The Master of Social Work offers several tracks:

    • Adult Mental Health and Wellness
    • Children, Youth, and Families
    • Social Change and Innovation
    • Military Social Work

    In addition, MSW students can opt to earn a dual-degree by pursing one of the following degrees in addition to the MSW: a Juris Doctorate (J.D.); a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.); a Master of Science in Gerontology; a Master of Arts in Jewish Nonprofit Management; a Master of Public Administration; a Master of Public Health; or a Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work.

    In their programs, students explore issues, populations, and ideas in areas such as social change, spirituality, juvenile justice, mental health, school social work, leadership, and the military.

    • Advertise With Us
    • About Us
    • FAQs
    • Update Programs
    • Terms of Use
    • Legal Notice
    • Privacy Policy
    • *Top & Best Disclaimers
    • Do Not Sell (CA and NV residents)
    © Gradschools 2020. All Rights Reserved.

    *https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d20/tables/dt20_311.15.asp

    The sources for school statistics and data is the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System unless otherwise noted.

    Disclosure: EducationDynamics receives compensation for many of the featured schools on our websites (see “Sponsored School(s)” or “Sponsored Listings” or “Sponsored Results” or “Featured Graduate School(s)”. So what does this mean for you? Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school.

    This is an offer for educational opportunities, not an offer for nor a guarantee of employment. Students should consult with a representative from the school they select to learn more about career opportunities in that field. Program outcomes vary according to each institution’s specific program curriculum. Specific School Disclosures. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. The information on this page is for informational and research purposes only and is not an assurance of financial aid.

    ×

    Sponsored meaning explained.

    EducationDynamics receives compensation for the featured schools on our website (see "Sponsored Schools" or "Sponsored Listings" or "Sponsored Results" or "Featured Schools'). So what does this mean for you?

    Compensation may impact where the Sponsored Schools appear on our websites, including whether they appear as a match through our education matching services tool, the order in which they appear in a listing, and/or their ranking. Our websites do not provide, nor are they intended to provide, a comprehensive list of all schools (a) in the United States, (b) located in a specific geographic area or (c) that offer a particular program of study. By providing information or agreeing to be contacted by a Sponsored School, you are in no way obligated to apply to or enroll with the school.

    Your trust is our priority. We at EducationDynamics believe you should make decisions about your education with confidence. That's why EducationDynamics is also proud to offer free information on its websites, which has been used by millions of prospective students to explore their education goals and interests.


    GOT IT!