The University of Southern California is a private research university in Los Angeles. It is best known for film, business, engineering and communication, and for an alumni network that runs deep in Hollywood and Silicon Beach. Choose it if you want a top-30 US degree with direct access to the entertainment and tech industries.
Los Angeles, United States
Official website: usc.edu
#125
Top 30 (U.S. News)
No. 1 film school in the US (The Hollywood Reporter)
Over 12,000 — among the most of any US university
$65,000 – $72,000
International students, undergraduate and most master's programmes
$22,000 – $28,000
Rent, food and local transport
Approximate figures for 2026-27, please verify. Fees change every year and vary by course, so check the latest amount on usc.edu before you apply.
MS Computer Science
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90
MBA (Marshall School of Business)
Masters DegreeDuration
24 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MS Electrical Engineering
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug, Jan
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 90
MS Business Analytics
Masters DegreeDuration
18 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
MFA Film & Television Production
Masters DegreeDuration
36 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
BS Business Administration
Bachelors DegreeDuration
48 Months
Intake
Aug
Exam Score
IELTS: 7.0, TOEFL: 100
School of Cinematic Arts — the top-ranked film school in the US, with George Lucas among alumni.
Marshall School of Business — AACSB-accredited, strong in entrepreneurship and analytics.
Viterbi School of Engineering — one of the largest graduate engineering schools in the US.
Trojan Family — an alumni network of over 450,000 known for helping graduates get hired.
Graduates join Google, Amazon, Disney, Netflix, Deloitte and Los Angeles startups in large numbers.
Marshall MBA graduates report median base salaries above USD 130,000.
STEM master's graduates can work in the US for up to three years on OPT.
Film alumni move into studios, streaming platforms and production companies across Hollywood.
Undergrad
15 Jan 2027
Postgrad
Varies by programme
Undergrad
No UG intake
Postgrad
Varies by programme
The University Park campus sits just south of downtown LA, a gated, tree-lined site with brick buildings, the Coliseum next door and the Expo Line light rail at its edge.
Los Angeles offers beaches, film studios and a large tech corridor in Santa Monica and Venice. Rent is high and a car helps, though the Metro now links campus to downtown and the coast.
Form I-20 issued by USC
Proof of funds for one academic year
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Completed DS-160 online application
US embassy or consulate interview
Passport valid six months beyond stay
For fall 2027 undergraduate entry, the Regular Decision deadline is 15 January 2027, and Early Action closes 1 November 2026. Some majors, including film, music and architecture, close on 1 December 2026. Graduate deadlines vary by school, with most master's programmes closing between December and February.
Undergraduates start in the fall (August). Many Viterbi engineering and computer science master's programmes also admit for spring (January). The Marshall MBA, business master's and cinematic arts programmes are fall only. Check your programme's admissions page to confirm.
You need an F-1 student visa. USC's Office of International Services issues your Form I-20 after you accept the offer and submit proof of funding. Then pay the SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 and book an interview at a US embassy or consulate.
MS Computer Science, electrical engineering, business analytics, the Marshall MBA and film production attract the most international applicants. Graduate admission needs a strong bachelor's degree, TOEFL 90-100 or IELTS 7.0, and the GRE or GMAT for some programmes. Undergraduate admission is highly selective, with an acceptance rate around 10%.
USC does not offer need-based aid to international undergraduates, but they are considered for merit awards including the Trustee (full tuition), Presidential (half tuition) and Deans scholarships if they apply by 1 November. Graduate scholarships vary by school; Viterbi and Marshall offer partial merit awards.
