University of Southern California
- Private
- Research university
University of Southern California: international tuition 72,097 USD per year, one-year total cost 90,300 USD, acceptance rate 9.8%. Merit scholarships are open to international students. Need-based aid is not. Published minimum English scores: IELTS 7, TOEFL iBT 5, Duolingo 130.
International students are generally not eligible for USC need-based aid but may be considered for merit-based scholarships. The page gives no amounts, deadlines or application process.
Getting in. The school admits 11.2% of applicants (9,345 of 83,488). Admitted students scored around Reading and Writing 720–760, Math 740–790, ACT 32–35. The SAT and ACT are optional: a score counts if you send one, and you can still apply without it. For English, the school asks for IELTS 7+, TOEFL iBT 5+ or Duolingo 130+.
Cost for a year. One year comes to 90,300 USD, before any scholarship. There are 2 scholarships, but none says international students can apply, so nothing is taken off yet. According to the Common Data Set 2025-2026, 931 international students got financial aid, 27,577 USD each on average.
Deadline and visa. The application deadline is 1/11. You apply through Common Application. How long the visa takes is up to the consulate; see the country note.
Admissions checked 11/10/2026
What is the tuition at University of Southern California?
International tuition is 72,097 USD per year. The total cost for one year is 90,300 USD.
Does University of Southern California offer scholarships for international students?
Merit scholarships are open to international students. Need-based aid is not. International students are generally not eligible for USC need-based aid but may be considered for merit-based scholarships. The page gives no amounts, deadlines or application process.
What English scores does University of Southern California require?
Published minimum English scores: IELTS 7, TOEFL iBT 5, Duolingo 130.
What is the acceptance rate at University of Southern California?
The acceptance rate is 9.8%.
- Pay in fullYesPay in fullOnce admitted you can enrol straight away — no scholarship decision to wait for.Your family covers all tuition and living costs for every year of the degree.You will need: your application and proof that your family can pay — the school needs it to issue your visa documents.
- Aid with the offerUnclearAid with the offerThe school decides aid while reviewing your application, so any need-based or merit award arrives with the offer.The school has merit scholarships for international students, but does not say whether they are automatic or need their own application.
- Apply separately for scholarshipsUnclearApply separately for scholarshipsOn top of the admission application, you send a separate scholarship application or get nominated.The pages we read mention no scholarship with its own application. Not seeing one does not mean there is none — ask the school.
For Vietnamese students
Vietnamese community nearby
Students on campus lifeiPublic YouTube videos by students and the school, matched to this school's name; Vietnamese videos first. Each reflects its creator's own view.
- Ông giáo và Cuộc sống công nghệ2023Campus tour
- DKbone2026Vlog
- Morgan Yuan2025Vlog
Contact
Tuition and cost for a year
Compared with 727 private United States schools with published tuition in Duckling's data.
What a year costs
Non-resident tuition (College Scorecard); international students pay at least this, some schools add an international fee.
VND converted at Vietcombank's selling rate on 15/10/2026; indicative only — the real amount depends on the rate when you pay.
Scholarships and aid for international students
- Is merit considered automatically with the application?UnclearThe provided pages do not say whether merit is considered automatically with the admission application or needs a separate application, so this is unclear.
- Is admission need-blind for international applicants?UnclearThe pages do not say whether admission decisions for international applicants ignore ability to pay (need-blind), so this is unclear.
- Is the CSS Profile or a school aid form required?UnclearThe pages do not mention a CSS Profile or a separate international aid form. They only mention the W-8BEN tax form after aid funds are received.
Scholarships at this school
- Merit-based scholarships (general category; some disbursed by departments as monthly stipends)Intl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Application method unclearSchool page
Merit-based scholarships (general; some departmental)Intl eligibility unclearThe school does not say whether international students can get this scholarship, so “Cost for a year” at the top does not subtract it. Ask the school before counting on it.MeritMeritAwarded on achievement (grades, awards, activities), regardless of family finances.Application method unclearSchool page
The page only mentions merit-based scholarships in general for international students and names no specific scholarship, so eligibility for this particular one cannot be confirmed.
U.S. student figures2025–26Financial aid for all first-year studentsMostly U.S. students, who also get U.S. government aid that international students cannot apply for. A picture of the school's overall aid, not what you would receive.
Admission requirements
Compared with 349 United States schools that publish an application fee in Duckling's data.
SAT / ACT of enrolled students
English
Application requirements
- High-school transcriptiOfficial records must come directly from schools or testing agencies, with a certified English translation if not in English.Required
- English proficiencyRequired
- InterviewiNo evaluative interviews; third-party English interviews (Duolingo, InitialView, Vericant) are optional extras only.Not required
- Proof of fundsiFinancial proof for at least the first academic year is required, bank-verified and dated within the past year.Required
How to apply
Minimum English scores vs other schools
Compared with 25 United States schools admitting under 15% that publish it in Duckling's data.
Compared with 14 United States schools admitting under 15% that publish it in Duckling's data.
DeadlinesFall 2027
- Early Decision application deadline (most majors) (ED)Applicationin17days
- Early Action application deadline (most majors) (EA)Application+17 days
- Regular Decision application deadline (performing arts majors) (RD)Application+47 days
- Regular Decision application deadline (most majors) (RD)Application+87 days
- Regular Decision notification date (RD)Decision+168 days
What the school weighs in admission
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery important
- GPAVery important
- Application essayVery important
- RecommendationsVery important
- Character / personal qualitiesVery important
- Extracurricular activitiesImportant
- Talent / abilityImportant
- SATACTConsidered
- First generationConsidered
- Alumni relationConsidered
- Volunteer workConsidered
- Work experienceConsidered
- Class rankNot considered
- InterviewNot considered
- Geographical residenceNot considered
- State residencyNot considered
- Religious affiliationNot considered
- Level of applicant's interestNot considered
Admission odds in numbers
AP credit by subject
Lowest score that earns credit or placement, as the college reported to College Board. This is not an admission requirement. One exam can have several rows: a higher score sometimes earns more credit. Policy page the college gave College Board
37 courses. Scroll inside the table to see all.
Programs
* U.S. median for this field — the school publishes no figure of its own.
Outcomes
Staying in United States after graduation
OPT: 12 months of work in your field after each degree level; degrees on the DHS STEM list can extend by 24 months (up to 36 months in total). Unemployment during OPT is capped at 90 days (150 days with the STEM extension). Note: on 8 October 2026 DHS published a PROPOSED rule charging USD 70,000 for initial OPT and USD 30,000 for later OPT; it is not in force, and comments close on 9 November 2026.
Climate
School & campus
Where the school is
Detailed map
Academics & housing
Classes by size
Why this school is listed: one of the 50 U.S. schools with the most international undergraduates (College Scorecard). Source
Updated 11/10/2026How Duckling sources data