University of Southern California

Los Angeles, California, United States

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University of Southern California - Overview & Background

Started in 1880, the University of Southern California is one of the first private universities founded in California. It is highly ranked due to its offer of a high level of research activity on its campus. Students from about 112 countries claim to have sought admission to this university yet being there gives you a feel of being in India.

Established October 6, 1880

Founder

Robert M. Widney

University Motto

Let whoever earns the palm bear it

University Type

Private Research University

University City

Los Angeles, California, United States

Student to Faculty Ratio

9:1

Campus Size

Large City, University Park campus - 299 acres (1.21 km2)
Health Sciences campus - 79 acres (0.32 km2)

Endowment

$8.12 billion (2021)

Acceptance Rate

12.9%

Graduation Rate

91.9%

Employment Rate

98%

Official Website Link

University of Southern California, United States

Contact Detail

+1 213-740-2311

 

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University of Southern California Virtual Tour

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Acceptance Rate

The University of Southern California acceptance rate is around 12.9% showcasing how tough it is to get admission to the university. There is no absolute SAT score requirement for USC but on average, SAT scores from 1350 to 1530 can get the student admission to the university. USC is a fairly competitive school when it comes to graduate admissions. On average, the GRE scores of admitted students are in the range of about 151 to 162 for Verbal and 155 to 167 for Quant.

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Infrastructure

Extended over an area of 235 acres the campus boasts of having two chief libraries. These two together house more than a million books on various topics. Along with these, the campus also houses two well-loved cafeterias Ground Zero and Trojan Grounds in addition to a bar - “Traditions in The Lot”.

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Residing Options

For on-campus dorm stay for students, you have Pardee Tower, Fluor Tower, and Cardinal Gardens as popular options. Students favouring staying off-campus usually have a pick from any one of the facilities like The Bungalows, 30th Street Villas, The Medici, or Conquest Housing. Being just 5 km the stay at these is safe and secure and costing anywhere between $900-1200. It may seem a little expensive yet it is preferred by a few for the good facilities they offer.

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Faculty and Pedagogy

You have exceedingly knowledgeable faculty at the engineering college of this university - Viterbi School of Engineering. Being approachable they are greatly admired by the students. The faculty is known to create a good balance between their own specific research work and teaching the students and also helping them in different ways.

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Fees

The University of Southern California fees for Indian students is around $30,000 annually. The annual off-campus living cost is around $9,000. 

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Notable Alumni

Some famous alumni from University of Southern California include:

  • list items Cybill Shepherd, American actress, singer, author, and former model
  • list items Hilda Solis, American politician and a member of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors
  • list items John Wayne, American actor
  • list items Matthew Weiner, American television writer, producer, and director
  • list items Pat Nixon, First Lady of the United States from 1969 to 1974 as the wife of President Richard Nixon
  • list items Kelly Preston, American actress and model
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Verdict

The University of Southern Carolina is among a few universities that are preferred by the Indians for studying in America. Indeed, it is an awesome institute and it is relatively easy to get into it. It is considered an ideal by a student from India with a conservative mindset.

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University of Southern California Location

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, USC’s University Park campus is a part of the city’s Downtown Arts and Education Corridor and is home to the USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.

  • list items The Health Sciences campus, northeast of downtown Los Angeles, is home to the Keck School of Medicine of USC,
  • list items The School of Pharmacy
  • list items Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, staffed by USC faculty from the Keck School of Medicine, is often referred to as USC’s third campus.

These are three major teaching hospitals.

The USC campus, known as the University Park campus, is right next to downtown Los Angeles, offering an unbelievable amount of activities and opportunities for students. Off-campus, a whole world of excitement awaits, with entertainment, restaurants, shopping, museums, and more. Aside from the city lights of LA., beaches, mountains, and plenty of outdoor activities are only a few minutes away from the USC campus.

The University Park campus is within walking distance from Los Angeles landmarks such as the Shrine Auditorium, and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum that is operated and managed by the University.

USC is well connected to rapid transit stations. The Metro Expo Line light rail service between Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica wraps around the south and eastern edges of the University Park campus. The Expo Line has three stations in the vicinity of the USC main campus. The Metro Silver Line bus service serves both the University Park campus at 37th Street/USC station and the Health Sciences campus at LA County and USC Medical Center station.

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University of Southern California Map Location

Address: Los Angeles, CA 90007, United States

 

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Student Diversity & Preferred Profile

25,000 high-achieving and strikingly diverse graduate students attend USC, accounting for more than half of the university's student body and representing all 50 states and 135 countries across the world. USC is delighted to welcome one of the greatest numbers of international students in the United States, with offices in Brazil, China (Beijing and Shanghai), Hong Kong, India, Korea, Mexico, and Taiwan.

In 2019, the University of Southern California granted 17,922 degrees across all undergraduate and graduate programmes. Women received 55.4 % of these degrees, while males received 44.6 %. The University of Southern California graduated more women than males in 1948. The white race/ethnicity group is the most common among degree recipients at the University of Southern California (5,237 degrees awarded). The next closest race/ethnicity group, Asians, had 1.88 times the number of graduates (2782 degrees).

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The Most Common Ethnicity or Race comprises:

  • list items 14,039 white people
  • list items 8,157 Asian people
  • list items 7,051 Hispanic or Latino people

The USC has a student population of:

  • list items 14.6% Hispanic or Latino
  • list items 29.1% White
  • list items 5.27% Black or African American
  • list items 16.9% Asian
  • list items 3.62% Two or More Races
  • list items 0.176% American Indian or Alaska Native
  • list items 0.25% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders

This comprises graduate and undergraduate students, as well as full-time and part-time students.

A "Non-Resident Alien" is a student who is studying in the United States on a temporary basis, and the percentage of those students is given in the table below. Furthermore, 2,309 students (4.78%) failed to report their race.

The undergraduate and graduate students are :

  • list items 29.1% White
  • list items 14.6% Hispanic or Latino
  • list items 16.9% Asian
  • list items 5.27% Black or African American
  • list items 0.25% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders
  • list items 3.62% Two or More Races
  • list items 0.176% American Indian or Alaska Native.

White Females (13%) are the most prevalent students enrolled in full-time Graduate programmes, followed by White Males (9.89%) and Hispanic or Latino Females (9.89%). (8.44 percent).

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Campus & Accommodation

Housing at USC is designed to help students live and study in communities, socialize over meals in our residential dining facilities, and adjust to college life. Numerous programmes and activities keep residents engaged, assist them in developing academic and leadership abilities, provide opportunities to relax and have fun, and assist them in making new friends.

  • list items Annenberg House
  • list items Helena
  • list items Centennial
  • list items Pacific
  • list items Fairmont
  • list items Sierra
  • list items Founders
  • list items Severance Street Apts.
  • list items Manor
  • list items Terrace
  • list items Max Kade House
  • list items Troyland
  • list items Seven Gables
  • list items Stardust
  • list items Veterans' Housing
  • list items Sunset
  • list items Windsor
  • list items Troy East
  • list items Vista
  • list items Troy Hall
  • list items University Regent
  • list items Twin Palms

Are among the graduate housing options.

The demand for graduate housing far outnumbers the number of spaces available. As a result, students should apply for university housing as soon as possible in order to secure a spot. Approximately 1,500 graduate housing spaces are available to meet the demand for additional seclusion while also allowing you to participate in campus life.

Libraries, several fitness facilities with state-of-the-art equipment, the Lyon Recreation Center and laboratories, as well as USC social and cultural activities are all within walking distance of university accommodation. Faculty involvement is evident both within and outside of the classroom. The majority of USC apartments come completely furnished and feature kitchens. All of the buildings feature laundry facilities and are close to campus. All university dormitories have cable TV (including HD channels), as well as Ethernet and wireless Internet connections.

There are free university bus and Campus Cruiser services, and parking is available for a fee in most buildings. All buildings have computerized entry monitoring and maintenance service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for emergency repairs. Students have access to a Department of Public Safety (DPS) that is available 24 hours a day. Students can also request to be moved to an alternative housing assignment.

For students who choose to live and study alone, there are single-occupancy studio and one-bedroom apartments; one- and two-bedroom shared flats for roommates; and one- and two-bedroom apartments for married couples and families. Students have the option of paying rent through their university student account.

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Housing Styles

  • list items Halls of Residence - The usual collegiate housing experience is available here. Students share restrooms, lounges, study rooms, and fitness areas in double-occupancy dorms. Residence halls are a popular choice because of their format and the rich history of some of these structures.
  • list items Suites - Suites have four double-occupancy rooms and two bathrooms, and can accommodate up to eight people.
  • list items Apartments - Apartments allow students to live more independently, with greater space and privacy, in flats with one or two double-occupancy bedrooms and a full kitchen.
  • list items Floors for Special Interests - Unique interest communities improve USC housing by bringing students and teachers together to explore ideas, share meals, create special programmes, and take advantage of Los Angeles' cultural riches. Health and fitness, the arts and humanities, culture and religion are all represented on different floors.
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Comparison with other Universities

The USC is one among the world’s top private research universities. USC's diversified curricular offerings give substantial opportunities for interdisciplinary study and collaboration with top academics in highly advanced learning environments, making it an anchor institution in Los Angeles and a global center for arts, international business and technology. The Wall Street Journal and Times Higher Education placed USC 19th out of over 1,000 public and private universities in their comprehensive 2022 rating.

Only USC, Caltech, and Stanford University were among the top 20 public and private universities in California. USC is ranked third overall among the 150 universities examined in the western United States. USC was placed No. 4 in engagement among the top 25 colleges, which assesses how students feel about how their education prepares them for the real world. USC offers more than $640 million in scholarships and grants, making it one of the most generous financial aid pools in the country. Tuition-free attendance is available to students from households earning $80,000 or less per year as part of a new USC commitment to make college more affordable for lower and middle-income families.

The Institution of Southern California is a prestigious private research university in Los Angeles, a global hub for the arts, technology, and international commerce. The College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, as well as 22 outstanding academic schools and departments, call it home. The USC Health Sciences campus is home to world-class cancer, orthopedics, stem cell and regenerative medicine, and sports medicine care and research.

The institution is the city of Los Angeles' largest private employer, and a new independent economic impact assessment on USC demonstrates that it is one of California's most powerful economic engines. According to the report, USC generates $8 billion in economic activity in the Los Angeles region and California each year. Over the next ten years, the institution is predicted to contribute more than $80 billion to the economy.

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Scholarships & Financial Aid

When you decide to pursue graduate school, you are making a significant financial and personal investment in your future. USC provides its students with a world-class interdisciplinary and globally focused graduate education. The cost of a USC graduate degree, as well as funding options, varies by school and degree programme. Following are the funding options available at USC:

  • list items Assistantships, Fellowships, and Scholarships - USC schools and departments, as well as other entities, provide fellowships and scholarships to graduate students on a competitive basis. Tuition credit and/or stipends are part of the awards. Fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or a combination of these funding sources support the majority of Ph.D. students at USC. Students pursuing master's degrees can apply for a number of merit scholarships. However, award amounts and distribution differ between each programme and are contingent on funding availability. Academic departments grant graduate assistantships based on scholastic achievement, academic promise, and competency. The appointments are for a maximum of one year and include tuition credit as well as a stipend.
  • list items Work-Study and Student Employment: Federal Work-Study offers part-time job opportunities to graduate students who are financially disadvantaged, allowing them to earn money to help pay for their education. Community service and jobs linked to the student's topic of study are encouraged as part of the curriculum. The majority of these positions are on campus, although there are some opportunities with local charitable organizations as well.
  • list items Students from the United States (Citizens and Permanent Residents) - The USC Financial Aid Office oversees a number of financial aid programmes for graduate students, including the Federal Direct Loan, Graduate PLUS Loan, and Federal Work-Study programmes. International students (non-U.S. citizens and permanent residents) are not eligible for federal need-based aid, although they may be eligible for scholarships, assistantships, and fellowships, as well as other on-campus jobs or private loans with a qualified endorsement (co-signer).
  • list items Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans - Graduate students, regardless of financial need, can borrow up to $20,500 per academic year at a set interest rate. (Some health-care occupations may be eligible for a greater stipend.)
  • list items The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan - The Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan is your first option if you decide to borrow a loan to cover all or part of the family contribution. It features a low, fixed rate of interest. Repayment begins once the loan is fully issued; however, you may defer payment while enrolled at least half-time.
  • list items Fellowships from other sources - Graduate students are encouraged to apply for external financing, which comes from sources outside than the University of Southern California. Government entities, companies, and private institutions are among the sponsors. Funds may be provided to the student or directly to the university and may be limited to a single year of enrollment or renewed for numerous years. When planning for graduate education, it is critical for beneficiaries to fully comprehend the terms and circumstances of such fellowships.
  • list items Veteran's Benefits and ROTC - Veterans of the ROTC and the US military should contact the Veterans Certification Office and the Financial Aid Office to find out how their G.I. benefits and financial aid will be handled.
  • list items Financing from the private sector - Students who use private finance to cover all or part of their family contribution will almost always need a credit-worthy co-borrower. This could help you save a lot of money on your private loan's interest and fees.
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Placement Details & Recruiting Companies

Employers and internship opportunities are sought by the Career Center from USC students of all majors and degree levels (undergraduate, graduate, and alumni).

90% of the students in the Class of 2020 Undergraduates have a post-graduation outcome within six months. For the first job, the average salary ranged between $74k and $74,430. Accounting, Financial Services, Technology, Consulting, and Postsecondary Education are among the Top Five Industries.

During the Fall 2020  - Spring 2021 semesters, the following organizations sought USC students for full-time salary or paid internship employment.

  • list items 1st Day School Supplies
  • list items AB Bernstein
  • list items Accenture
  • list items Adobe Systems
  • list items AllianceBernstein
  • list items 24Hr HomeCare
  • list items Air Force Civilian Services – Edwards AFB
  • list items Aristocrat Technology Inc.
  • list items 4Excelsior
  • list items Accel
  • list items Advanced Micro Devices
  • list items Aldridge Electric
  • list items Amazon
  • list items Automobile Club of Southern California
  • list items BAE Systems
  • list items Bank of America Merrill Lynch
  • list items Beyond Limits
  • list items Bloomberg LP
  • list items BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
  • list items Brady Corporation
  • list items California AmeriCorps of the American Red Cross
  • list items California Resources Corporation
  • list items Camp Zeke
  • list items CAST Centers
  • list items Charles River Associates
  • list items Chevron Corporation
  • list items China Telecom Americas
  • list items Cisco
  • list items Clark Construction Group, LLC
  • list items CNN
  • list items Coca-Cola FEMSA
  • list items Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • list items Crane Aerospace & Electronics
  • list items Crown Castle
  • list items Dahooo American Corporation
  • list items Deloitte & Touche
  • list items Nanjing Skytech Co. Limited.
  • list items OCESA
  • list items The TJX Companies, Inc.
  • list items The Walt Disney Company
  • list items W.E. O’Neil Construction.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions about University of Southern California

Is it possible for me to apply to more than one program?
 
For MS/PhD courses, you may apply to a maximum of three graduate programmes across the university in any one admission cycle. Regardless of the number of programmes chosen, just one set of transcripts and test scores must be submitted. To apply for a second programme, the USC Graduate Admissions office must give a unique SECOND PROGRAM APPLICATION FEE WAIVER code, which must be inserted into the online application.
What is the procedure for applying for a fellowship, scholarship, or assistantship?
 
USC's individual academic divisions and colleges give financial aid (such as fellowships or teaching/research assistantships) and can be contacted directly.
How can I identify if I've been awarded a fellowship, scholarship, or assistantship?
 
Any money that your planned programme may be able to grant will be communicated to you individually. Your admission decision will usually include this information.
Is USC a top 20 school?
 
USC was among the top 20 universities in all of California's educational institutions. USC is rated third overall among the 150 universities in the western U.S. In terms of engagement, which gauges how students feel their education prepares them for the real world, USC placed fourth in the top 25 universities.
Is USC hard to get into?
 
The application process for USC is very competitive. USC's acceptance rate is 12%. More than 25% of those accepted into USC received all A's in high school. Although it is currently optional to submit test results, the typical USC SAT score varied from 1340 to 1530. Why is USC so prestigious?
 
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