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 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.
• 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 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 world 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: Expand Your World
• Take advantage of USC’s study abroad programs at top-ranked international universities around the globe.
• 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!
• 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 17% 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
500,000+
SIZE OF TROJAN FAMILY
2025-2026 Estimated Cost of Attendance
Tuition Fees
Housing*
Food/meal plan*
Books and supplies
Personal and miscellaneous
Transportation
Total
$73,260
$1,902
$12,879
$8,028
$650
$2,006
$414
$99,139
(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
SAT or ACT scores (optional)
Additional materials, if required by major
English proficiency exam
Financial statement with proof of sufficient funds
admission.usc.edu/commonapp
Admission admission.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 USC-approved 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
Learn more about USC’s admission requirements for international students.
Early Action & Early Decision | November 1, 2025
Early Action (EA) is non-binding, non-restrictive and, although it applies to most majors, it is not available for programs in the schools listed below.
Students must apply EA to most programs to be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
Early Decision (ED) is available only for programs in the Marshall School of Business. It is binding and is intended for students who are committed to attending USC. It is not available for the World Bachelor in Business program. Students applying ED will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
Regular Decision | December 1, 2025
For majors requiring a portfolio or audition
Deadline for majors in Architecture, Art and Design, Cinematic Arts, Dance, Dramatic Arts, Music, the Iovine and Young Academy, and the World Bachelor in Business. Candidates applying to these programs by December 1 will be considered for USC Merit Scholarships.
Regular Decision | January 10, 2026
All other majors
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
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
Undeclared Engineering *
Aerospace Engineering
Artificial Intelligence*
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
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 firstyearapplicants only.
** Available to transfer applicants only.