Introduction to USC
2027
INTERNATIONAL UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
DOWNTOWN L.A.
The USC Advantage A classroom without walls. An education without borders. Since its founding in 1880, USC has established itself as a truly global university. Our campus reflects the vibrant populations of Los Angeles, California and the world. Academics: An Interdisciplinary Education •
Choose from over 150 majors and 250 minors and combine them to customize your own program of study.
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Conduct research as soon as your first year.
Campus Life: A Residential College Community •
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Forge new friendships on our residential campus and discover everything you need right outside your front door. Find your niche through our cultural centers and explore over 1,000 student clubs and organizations. Enjoy the American college experience through football games and campus events.
Global Perspective: Expand Your World •
Take advantage of USC’s study abroad programs at top-ranked international universities around the globe.
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Build your network with fellow students who represent all 50 U.S. states and more than 130 countries.
The Trojan Family: A Global Network •
Stay connected through our 27 international alumni clubs — in Mexico City, Munich, Manila and beyond!
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Find resources and support in your home country through one of our many global offices.
25
98%
AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS
9:1 STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO
21% FIRST-YEAR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Los Angeles: A World-Class City
130
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Thrive in a metropolis that’s home to 100 nationalities and 200 languages — and is a Top 20 world economy.
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Explore L.A.’s distinctive and historic ethnic neighborhoods, such as Chinatown and Olvera Street.
COUNTRIES REPRESENTED BY USC STUDENTS
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Discover Southern California’s natural beauty at nearby beaches, in the mountains or on one of the area’s many hiking trails.
More than 50% STUDENTS PURSUING MULTIPLE PROGRAMS OF STUDY
750 COMPANIES THAT RECRUIT ON CAMPUS
292 DAYS OF SUNSHINE PER YEAR
50+ NUMBER OF CITIES WITH STUDY-ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES
500,000+ SIZE OF TROJAN FAMILY
2026-2027 Estimated Cost of Attendance
Admission admission.usc.edu
Tuition Fees Housing* Food/meal plan* Books and supplies Personal and miscellaneous Transportation
$75,384 $1,952 $13,510 $8,442 $670 $2,016 $1,188
With a few exceptions, international applicants to USC will follow the same application steps as domestic applicants. We are familiar with the educational system of your country and will consider your application within the context of your educational environment.
Total
$103,162
• English Proficiency: International applicants whose first and native language is not English must submit results from a USC-approved English proficiency examination.
(Add $450 New Student Fee for your first semester.) *Includes average rent and the standard meal plan for students living in on-campus, first-year housing.
Application Checklist Students must apply to USC using the Common App. Below is a checklist of our first-year application requirements for international students: The Common Application Personal essay Academic interest short answer Activities list Quick takes Secondary school report Letter of recommendation All official transcripts Official SAT or ACT scores (optional) Additional materials, if required by major Official English proficiency exam Financial statement with proof of sufficient funds admission.usc.edu/commonapp
Learn more about important international applicant considerations at admission.usc.edu/international.
International Students
Learn more about USC’s admission requirements for international students.
• Financial Considerations: Need-based financial aid is not available to international students. International students are required to submit proof of sufficient financial support when they apply. Though international students are eligible for USC Merit Scholarships, they may not be listed as potential sources of funding.
Admission Deadlines Early Action and Early Decision | November 1, 2026 Early Action (EA) is non-binding and non-restrictive. Early Decision (ED) is binding and is intended for students who are committed to attending USC, if admitted. Students applying EA or ED will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
Regular Decision | December 1, 2026 For performing arts majors Deadline to apply for admission to the following programs: Kaufman School of Dance School of Dramatic Arts Thornton School of Music Candidates applying to these programs by December 1 will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
Regular Decision | January 10, 2027 All other majors Final first-year application deadline for all other programs. USC Scholarships are administered consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Recipients are chosen without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited characteristic.
Connect with us in person or online. @uscadmission admission.usc.edu
| www.admissionblog.usc.edu
Meet Us
Majors Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
American Popular Culture American Studies and Ethnicity African American Studies American Studies Asian American Studies Chicano/Latino Studies Anthropology Applied and Computational Mathematics Archaeology and Heritage Studies Art History Astronomy Behavioral Economics and Psychology Biochemistry Biological Sciences Biophysics Central European Studies Chemistry Classics Cognitive Science Comparative Literature Computational Neuroscience Contemporary Latino and Latin American Studies Creative Writing Earth Sciences East Asian Area Studies East Asian Languages and Cultures (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) Economics Economics and Data Science Economics/Mathematics English Environmental Science and Health Environmental Studies French Gender and Sexuality Studies GeoDesign Geological Sciences Global Geodesign Global Studies Health and Human Sciences History Human Biology Human Security and Geospatial Intelligence Intelligence and Cyber Operations International Relations International Relations (Global Business) International Relations and the Global Economy Italian Jewish Studies Latin American and Iberian Cultures, Media and Politics
Law, History and Culture Linguistics Mathematics Middle East Studies Narrative Studies Neuroscience Non-Governmental Organizations and Social Change Philosophy Philosophy, Politics and Economics Philosophy, Politics and Law Physics Physics/Computer Science Political Economy Political Science Psychology Quantitative Biology Religion Russian Sociology Spanish
USC School of Architecture Architecture, B.ARCH Architecture and Inventive Technologies, B.S. *
Iovine and Young Academy
Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation, B.S. Business of Innovation, B.S. Human Technology Interaction, B.S.
Roski School of Art and Design Art, B.A. Design, BFA Fine Arts, BFA
Marshall School of Business Accounting Artificial Intelligence for Business * Business Administration Business of Cinematic Arts * Real Estate Finance and Development * World Bachelor in Business *
USC School of Cinematic Arts
Animation + Digital Arts, BFA Cinema and Media Studies, B.A. Film and Television Production, BFA * Film and Television Production, B.A. ** Game Art, BFA Game Development and Interactive Design, BFA Media Arts + Practice, B.A. Themed Entertainment, BFA Writing for Screen & Television, BFA
Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism Communication Journalism Public Relations and Advertising
Kaufman School of Dance Dance, BFA
USC School of Dramatic Arts Acting, Stage and Screen, BFA Dramatic Arts, B.A. Musical Theatre, BFA Sound Design, BFA Stage Management, BFA Theatrical Design, BFA
Viterbi School of Engineering
Aerospace Engineering Artificial Intelligence* Astronautical Engineering Biomedical Engineering Biomedical (Electrical) Biomedical (Mechanical) Biomedical (Molecular- Cellular) Chemical Engineering Chemical (Biological and Pharmaceutical) Chemical (Energy and Sustainability) Chemical (Materials) Chemical (Petroleum and Subsurface) Civil Engineering Civil (Building Science) Civil (Construction Engineering and Management) Civil (Structural) Computer Engineering and Computer Science Computer Science Computer Science Games Computer Science/Business Administration Electrical and Computer Engineering Environmental Engineering Industrial and Systems Engineering Mechanical Engineering
Davis School of Gerontology
Human Development and Aging Lifespan Health
Thornton School of Music Bachelor of Music degrees: Choral Music Composition, Classical Jazz Studies (instrumental and vocal) Music Production Popular Music Performance Classical Performance Bassoon Cello Clarinet Double Bass Flute French Horn Guitar Harp Oboe Percussion
Piano Saxophone Trombone Trumpet Tuba Viola Violin Vocal Arts
Bachelor of Science degree: Music Industry
Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy
Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Biopharmaceutical Sciences Pharmacology and Drug Development
Price School of Public Policy Public Policy Real Estate Development Urban Studies and Planning
Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work Social Work *
Pre-Professional Emphases
Pre-Dentistry Pre-Law Pre-Medicine Pre-Occupational Therapy Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Physical Therapy Pre-Physician Assistant Practice Pre-Teaching * Available to first- year applicants only. ** Available to transfer applicants only.
Gould School of Law Legal Studies
Keck School of Medicine
Global Health Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies
List accurate at time of printing. Please refer to the USC Catalogue at catalogue.usc.edu for a full list of undergraduate degrees, including additional majors (such as Data Science) and emphases to which you can apply once at USC. The University of Southern California prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, ethnicity, religion, creed, sex, age, marital status, national origin, citizenship status, employment status, income status, shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics, partnership status, medical condition (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), disability, political belief or affiliation, domestic violence victim status, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities. For questions about compliance with the notice of non-discrimination, please contact the Office of Civil Rights Compliance at ocrc.usc.edu or email ocrc@usc.edu. For disability-related questions, the University has also designated an ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, Christine Street, Associate Vice President, Disability Access and ADA Compliance, who can be reached at streetc@usc.edu, (213) 821-4658, 3601 Trousdale Parkway, Bldg. #89, Los Angeles, California 90089.