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University of Southern California, USA

  • Los Angeles, California
  • Rank

    116

  • Established

    1880

  • Programs

    -+

Overview

The University of Southern California, located in the United States, is a renowned public research university with multiple campuses across the state. It is known for its academic excellence and global impact. With a strong emphasis on innovation and discovery, the university offers a wide range of programs and majors in various fields of study, including engineering, business, agriculture, liberal arts, and more.

The university is home to a diverse community of students worldwide, fostering a vibrant and inclusive learning environment. Through its cutting-edge research, world-class faculty, and state-of-the-art facilities, the University of Southern California continues to make significant contributions to society's progress and development.

 

Why Choose the University of Southern California?

There are several compelling reasons why one may choose the University of Southern California, including:

  1. Academic Programs: USC offers a diverse range of academic programs across various fields, including business, engineering, arts, and sciences, all of which are highly rated.

  2. Resources: USC has state-of-the-art facilities, resources, and technology to support students, including one of the largest university libraries in the country, numerous research centres, and ample opportunities for hands-on learning experiences.

  3. Location: Located in sunny Los Angeles, USC offers a vibrant campus life with easy access to the city's diverse cultural offerings, entertainment, and sports events.

  4. Large and Diverse Community: USC has a large and diverse student body, providing students with opportunities to connect with peers from different backgrounds and cultures.

  5. Strong Alumni Network: USC boasts a large and influential alumni network, including notable figures such as astronaut Neil Armstrong and filmmaker George Lucas, among others.

  6. Supportive Environment: USC is known for its supportive environment, with resources available to help students thrive academically and emotionally, including tutoring, counselling, mentoring, and career services.

 

Key Features

Key Features of the University of Southern California include:

  1. Academic Excellence: USC is renowned for its academic excellence, offering highly-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs across multiple fields, including business, engineering, medicine, law, arts, and sciences.

  2. Research: USC is a hub for cutting-edge research, with many research centres and institutes that provide students with hands-on experience.

  3. Global Perspective: USC has a global outlook, with many international student programs, study abroad opportunities, and partnerships with universities around the world.

  4. Career Services: USC has a robust Career Centre that helps students build the necessary skills and connections to achieve their career goals through career counselling, networking events, and job placement services.

  5. Diversity and Inclusion: USC's diverse student body and inclusive campus culture provide many opportunities for students to learn from one another and develop empathy for people from different backgrounds.

  6. Campus Life: USC provides students with a vibrant campus life, with a wide range of extracurricular activities, clubs, and organizations, including various performing arts groups, sports teams, and Greek life organizations.

  7. Location: USC is located in sunny Los Angeles, one of the most vibrant and culturally diverse cities in the world, providing students with access to many cultural, entertainment, and career opportunities.

University of Southern California Courses & Fees

University of Southern California Courses

The University of Southern California offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and research programs across various disciplines. The tuition fees for these programs vary depending on factors such as the level of study, program of choice, and the nationality of the student.

Following is the general overview of the University of Southern California courses and University of Southern California fees:

University of Southern California Tuition Fees & Cost of Living

The tuition fees and cost of living at the University of Southern California vary depending on the level of study, campus location, accommodation options, and personal lifestyle choices.

Tuition Fees

  • For undergraduate programs: The estimated tuition and fees for in-state undergraduate students range from $16,333 to $60,275 per year. 

  • For postgraduate programs: The estimated tuition and fees for in-state graduate students range from $45,000 to $60,000 per year.

Cost of Living:

The cost of living for students at the University of Southern California (USC) can vary depending on several factors, such as housing choices, food preferences, location, and personal expenses.

Here is a breakdown of estimated costs:

  • Accommodation: The cost of housing at USC can vary, from on-campus residence halls and apartments to off-campus housing. The average cost of on-campus housing ranges from $13,000 to $15,000 per academic year, while off-campus rents vary depending on the location and type of housing.

  • Food: The university has several dining options on campus, including meal plans that start at around $3,000 per semester.

  • Transportation: The cost of transportation at USC will vary depending on your mode of transport and distance from campus. A monthly Metro pass costs $100 per month, and Uber/Lyft rides can range from $10-$50 per ride depending on the distance. 

  • Personal Expenses: Personal expenses can vary significantly depending on individual preferences and lifestyle. Students should budget around $3,000 per year for personal expenses like entertainment, clothes, toiletries, and other incidentals.

University of Southern California Rankings & Intakes

University of Southern California Rankings

Here are some of the most recent University of Southern California Rankings:
 

University of Southern California Ranking

Ranked By 

Ranking 

QS World University Rankings 

116

US News & World Report - Global Universities 

80

Times Higher Education World University Rankings

65

 

US News & World Report - Global Universities Rankings 2023 for Courses 

Ranked By

Ranking

Artificial Intelligence 

51 

Computer sciences 

49

Materials Science 

197

Nanoscience & Nanotechnology

189

Neuroscience & Behavior 

41

Social Science & Public Health

48

Engineering 

120

Economics & business

20

Cell Biology

70

 

Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023 for Courses

Ranked By

Ranking

Art & Humanities 

98

Engineering  

69

Social Sciences 

42

Physical Sciences 

176-200

Computer Science 

49

 

The University of Southern California Intakes

The University of Southern California intakes are mentioned in the tables below:
 

University of Southern California Intakes

Intakes 

Application deadline 

Fall

Early Decision: 1 November
Regular Decision: 15 January

Admission Criteria

The University of Southern California has specific admission criteria for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Here are the general requirements:

  1. Academic achievements: USC considers high school and college transcripts, standardized test scores, and other academic records.

  2. Extracurricular activities: USC values student's outside activities, such as volunteer work, leadership roles, clubs, and organizations.

  3. Recommendations: USC also considers letters of recommendation from high school or college counsellors, teachers, or employers who know the student well.

  4. Essays or personal statements: USC requires applicants to submit essays or personal statements that showcase their writing abilities and express their motivations and aspirations.

  5. Standardized test scores: USC requires applicants to submit standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT for undergraduate programs and the GRE, GMAT, or other relevant tests for graduate programs.

The University of Southern California acceptance rate varies depending on the program and degree level. For the 2020-2021 academic year, USC's overall acceptance rate was 16%, making it a highly selective university. However, the acceptance rates for individual programs can be higher or lower than the overall rate.

For example, the acceptance rate for USC's Business School was around 11% for the same academic year, while the rate for the School of Social Work was higher, around 26%. It is essential to note that acceptance rates may change from year to year and that meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. USC considers the overall profile of an applicant, including academic credentials, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, personal statements, and standardized test scores.

University of Southern California Scholarships

The University of Southern California offers a range of scholarships to support international students. The following are the available University of Southern California scholarships:

1. USC Graduate School Fellowships:
Scholarship Name USC Graduate School Fellowships
Scholarship amount N/A
Details These are prestigious awards offered to outstanding graduate students that provide a stipend and cover tuition and fees. The estimated price for fellowships varies depending on the program and degree level.
2. USC Graduate Merit Scholarship:
Scholarship Name USC Graduate Merit Scholarship
Scholarship amount $5,000 to $25,000 per year
Details This is a merit-based scholarship awarded to outstanding students admitted to select graduate programs. The scholarship ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 per year.
3. USC International Freshman Scholarship:
Scholarship Name USC International Freshman Scholarship
Scholarship amount $5,000 to $25,000 per year
Details This is a merit-based scholarship offered to international freshmen who demonstrate academic excellence. The scholarship ranges from $5,000 to $25,000 per year.
4. Presidential Scholarship:
Scholarship Name Presidential Scholarship
Scholarship amount $80,000 per year
Details This is a full-tuition scholarship awarded to the top 1% of admitted freshmen. The scholarship covers tuition, fees, room, and board, and a one-time stipend of $2,500. The estimated price for the scholarship is around $80,000 per year.
5. Trustee Scholarship:
Scholarship Name Trustee Scholarship
Scholarship amount $49,464 per year
Details This is a half-tuition scholarship awarded to the top 5% of admitted freshmen. The scholarship covers half of the tuition fees for four years. The estimated price for the scholarship is around $49,464 per year.

FAQ's

USC is located in Los Angeles, California, and encompasses a 226-acre campus. The campus includes state-of-the-art facilities, including libraries, research centres, athletic facilities, health clinics, and a wide variety of residential dining and recreational options.

USC uses a holistic approach to admission, considering a combination of factors such as academic achievement, extracurricular activities, essays or personal statements, test scores, and recommendations. The specific requirements for admission vary based on the program and degree level.

USC offers over 150 undergraduate majors and more than 200 graduate programs in various academic fields, such as engineering, business, arts, and sciences. The most popular majors for undergraduate students include business administration, computer science, communications, biology, and psychology.

USC has a student-faculty ratio of 9:1, which means that students have ample opportunities to interact with their professors. The average class size for undergraduate courses is around 26 students, while graduate courses generally have smaller class sizes.

The cost of attendance at USC varies based on the program and degree level and includes tuition fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. USC provides various financial aid options such as scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs to eligible students.

Yes, USC offers online courses and degree programs in various fields such as healthcare, education, social work, engineering, and business.

USC has a diverse student body, with students from over 135 countries. USC provides various resources and support services to promote diversity and inclusion on campus, such as the Office of Equity and Diversity, the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, and the Asian Pacific American Student Services.

USC is a research-intensive university and provides various opportunities for students to engage in cutting-edge research, internships, and other experiential learning opportunities. USC has research centres and facilities that offer research programs and projects in various academic disciplines.

USC has a robust athletic program that includes a variety of men's and women's varsity sports teams, intramural sports, and club sports. USC's athletic teams participate in the Pac-12 Conference and have won numerous national championships and awards.

USC is proud of its strong network of over 400,000 alumni worldwide, whose achievements and contributions have had a significant impact in various fields. USC alumni receive various benefits, such as career resources, discounts on university events and services, social and networking opportunities, and access to USC libraries and research centres.

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