Introduction to International Students USC
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. We typically enroll more international students than most other U.S. institutions, and our campus reflects the vibrant diversity 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.
• Conduct research as soon as your first year.
Campus Life: A Residential College Community
• Forge new friendships on our residential campus and discover everything you need right outside your front door.
• Find your niche through our inclusive cultural centers and explore hundreds of student clubs and organizations.
• Enjoy the American college experience through football games and campus events.
Los Angeles: A World-Class City
• Thrive in a metropolis that’s home to 100 nationalities and 200 languages—and is a Top 20 economy.
• Easily explore L.A.’s distinctive and historic ethnic neighborhoods, such as Chinatown and Olvera Street.
• Discover Southern California’s natural beauty at nearby beaches, in the mountains or on one of the area’s many hiking trails.
Global Perspective: Broaden Your Perspective
• Take advantage of USC’s partnerships with topranked international universities around the globe.
• Explore a wide array of study-abroad opportunities.
The Trojan Family: A Global Network
• Stay connected through our 27 international alumni clubs—in Mexico City, Munich, Manila and beyond!
• Find resources and support in your home country through one of our many global offices.
25 AVERAGE CLASS SIZE
9:1
STUDENT-TOFACULTY RATIO
130+ COUNTRIES REPRESENTED BY USC STUDENTS 18% FIRST-YEAR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
More than 50%
STUDENTS PURSUING MULTIPLE PROGRAMS OF STUDY
98%
FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS
750 COMPANIES THAT RECRUIT ON CAMPUS
292 DAYS OF SUNSHINE PER YEAR
130+
NUMBER OF WORLD CITIES WITH STUDYABROAD OPPORTUNITIES
480,000+ SIZE OF TROJAN FAMILY
2024-2025 Estimated Cost of Attendance
Tuition
Fees
Housing*
Food/meal plan*
Books and supplies
Personal and miscellaneous
Transportation
Total
$69,904
$1,743
$12,271
$7,660
$1,200
$2,006
$441
$95,225
(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
USC uses the Common Application, a centralized system that allows students to apply to several colleges at once. 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 from a teacher or counselor
All official transcripts
SAT or ACT scores (optional)
Portfolio, audition, interview, résumé, writing samples and/or additional requirements, if required by major
English proficiency exam
Financial statement with proof of sufficient funds
The Common App goes live on August 1, 2024 admission.usc.edu/commonapp
Learn more on our websites: admission.usc.edu www.admissionblog.usc.edu
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.
Learn more about important international applicant considerations at admission.usc.edu/international
International Students
• English Proficiency: International applicants whose first and native language is not English must submit results from a USCapproved English proficiency examination.
• 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 a potential source of funding.
Admission Deadlines
Early Action | November 1, 2024
Learn more about USC’s admission requirements for international students.
EA is non-binding, non-restrictive and is not available for certain majors (refer to the schools listed below).
Students must apply EA to most programs to be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
Regular Decision | December 1, 2024
For majors requiring a portfolio or audition
Deadline for majors in Architecture, Art and Design, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Music, and the Iovine and Young Academy.
Candidates applying to these programs by December 1 will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
Regular Decision | January 15, 2025
All other majors
Majors
USC offers undergraduates a wide array of majors, minors and interdisciplinary programs.
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
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/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.
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
Technical Direction, BFA
Theatrical Design, BFA
Viterbi School of Engineering
Undeclared Engineering *
Aerospace Engineering
Astronautical Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical (Electrical)
Biomedical (Mechanical)
Biomedical (MolecularCellular)
Chemical Engineering
Chemical (Biological and Pharmaceutical)
Chemical (Biochemical)
Chemical (Environmental)
Chemical (Nanotechnology)
Chemical (Petroleum)
Chemical (Polymer/ Materials Science)
Chemical (Sustainable Energy)
Civil Engineering
Civil (Building Science)
Civil (Construction Engineering and Management)
Civil (Environmental)
Civil (Structural)
Civil (Water Resources)
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
Gould School of Law
Legal Studies
Keck School of Medicine
Global Health
Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention Studies
Thornton School of Music
Bachelor of Music degrees: Choral Music
Composition, Classical Jazz Studies (instrumental and vocal)
Music Production
Popular Music Performance
Classical Performance
Vocal
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
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.