Graduate Programs at University of Southern California

The University of South California is one of the most celebrated private universities in the United States. USC is home to more than 48,000 students and over 4,400 full-time faculty. Various graduate programs are taught to achieve the aim of multidisciplinary education. The university through its various graduate programs centers on preparing students in areas of research, professional and educational roles. 

USC offers over 400 graduate and professional programs in its liberal arts college and 20 professional schools. USC’s popular graduate programs include Social Work, Business Administration and Management (MBA), and Electrical and Electronics Engineering. 


Graduate Programs Tuition

 The total cost of attendance varies for every program considering the direct and indirect expenses. The tuition for a full-time graduate at the University of Southern California is $44,880 for two semesters. However, there are other expenses like transportation, housing , dining, direct loan fee which make the total cost around $72,916

  • The tuition cost of the MS degree in Aerospace Engineering program is $65,448.
  • The Master of Science in Electrical engineering program costs $67,972.
  • The estimated cost of attendance of the J.D program is $76,438. 
  • The tuition for Master of Law (LLM) 2023-2024 is $76,438 plus mandatory fees.
  • The Master of Science in petroleum engineering program costs $67,972.


What proportion of candidates are admitted to USC's Master's program?

USC is extremely selective in its admission decisions and therefore the acceptance rates remain low. 28,500 graduate and professional students enrolled for 2022-23 admissions.

USC Law School Acceptance Rate

  • Median GPA: 3.87
  • Median LSAT score: 168
  • Acceptance rate: 12.7%

USC Marshall MBA Acceptance Rate

  • GMAT Average: 707
  • GPA Average: 3.55
  • Acceptance Rate: 24%

Here is the graduation rate of last 6 years:

  • 2017 - 92%
  • 2018 - 92%
  • 2019 - 91%
  • 2020 - 92%
  • 2021 - 92%
  • 2022 - 92%

PhD Program Statistics 2022

  • Students Applied - 7,753
  • Students Admitted - 1,060


Does USC provide early decision or early action opportunities for applicants to its Graduate programs?

USC graduate programs have an early action policy. It is a non-binding policy and benefits applicants on many levels. The Early Action policy has allowed students to secure a seat in USC without having to enroll at the institution. 


Does USC consider and approve transfer credits from students' prior graduate school experiences?

Yes, USC accepts transfer credits  taken at another institution within the United States upon request. Applicants must submit their official transcripts. At the same time, courses must be graded at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. The courses must comprise a just equivalent to current USC coursework at the masters level. 


In terms of career outcomes, where are USC graduate students employed, and what is the typical salary range after obtaining a master's degree?

The University of Southern California through Connect USC helps in finding and posting jobs and internships. It is a platform where alumni, employers, and students connect with each other. Students can also participate in On-Campus Recruiting, and register for Trojan Talks, Career Fairs, and other events and programs.


Graduate Programs Offered

234 Graduate Programs Offered
180 Master’s Programs Offered
92 PHD Programs Offered

Graduate Students Enrollment Count

52376 Students enrolled (Undergraduate & Graduate)
30619 Students Enrolled (Only Graduate Programs)
19900 Students Enrolled in Online Programs
7061 International Students Enrolled

Graduate Tuition

$48,715 In-state tuition & fees
$48,715 Out-state tuition & fees

University of Southern California offers the following Graduate Programs:

University of Southern California Graduate Program - Agriculture and Agriculture Operations
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender And Group Studies
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Communication And Journalism
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Engineering Technologies
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Law and legal studies
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Library and Information Science
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Biology, Biomedical and Biological Sciences
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Applied Mathematics and Statistics
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Mathematics and Statistical Science
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Atmospheric and Physical Sciences
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Counseling and Behavioral Psychology
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Public Administration And Social Service
University of Southern California Graduate Program - Social Sciences and Studies
University of Southern California Graduate Program - History Studies

Graduate Programs with highest enrollment

University of Southern California most popular Master's Degree programs with respect to the students enrolled in the top 5 most popular graduate programs

  • Social Work : 1200
  • Electrical and Electronics Engineering : 535
  • Business Administration and Management -MBA : 409
  • Educational Leadership and Administration : 268
  • Human Resources Management : 216