University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA usc.edu 20,817 students

The University of Southern California's campus is located in the heart of Los Angeles, offering a blend of urban energy and traditional college atmosphere. Students benefit from the university's proximity to cultural institutions, entertainment venues, and diverse industries. Known for its strong school spirit, USC fosters a vibrant student culture with a focus on both academic excellence and athletic achievement. The university's location provides unique opportunities for internships, research, and engagement with the city's dynamic environment.

Programs

Analyzed in dataset

Earnings

$54,432

Average graduate, 1 yr after

Outlook

45/100

Avg DegreeOutlook Score

Tuition

$68,237

Sticker price (est.)

Financial Aid

The sticker price is rarely what families actually pay. University of Southern California's grant and scholarship aid lowers the net price for most income brackets. 22% of students receive Pell Grants; 25% take federal loans.

Key Insight

Average net price across income brackets is $26,873, roughly 61% lower than the published tuition.

Net Price by Family Income

Academic Year 2025

Income Bracket	Avg Net Price	4-Year Net Cost
$0 – $30K	$15,470	$61,880
$30K – $48K	$13,692	$54,768
$48K – $75K	$18,993	$75,972
$75K – $110K	$29,865	$119,460
$110K+	$56,347	$225,388
Sticker price (no aid)	$68,237	$272,948

Net price = tuition + fees + room & board minus grants and scholarships, by reported family-income bracket. Source: IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey via College Scorecard.

Programs at University of Southern California

43 degree programs ranked by DegreeOutlook Score. Click any program for AI scenario analysis and 10-year earnings projections.

Degree Program	DW Score	1-yr Earnings	AI Risk	ROI
Computer Science Compare across schools →	79	$137,284/yr	Very High	5.6x
Software Development Computer Software and Media Applications Compare across schools →	77	$103,071/yr	Very High	5.1x
Accounting Accounting and Related Services Compare across schools →	73	$73,903/yr	Very High	2.9x
Business Administration Business Administration, Management and Operations Compare across schools →	69	$71,668/yr	High	2.8x
Industrial Engineering Compare across schools →	65	$87,807/yr	High	4.0x
Civil Engineering Compare across schools →	65	$85,262/yr	High	3.3x
Real Estate Compare across schools →	64	$98,763/yr	High	4.3x
Electrical Engineering Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering Compare across schools →	64	$89,684/yr	Very High	3.5x
Economics Compare across schools →	64	$57,060/yr	Very High	2.6x
Aerospace Engineering Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering Compare across schools →	63	$78,980/yr	High	3.2x
Mechanical Engineering Compare across schools →	62	$83,356/yr	Very High	2.9x
Biomedical Engineering Biomedical/Medical Engineering Compare across schools →	59	$80,508/yr	High	3.1x
Applied Mathematics Compare across schools →	59	$71,622/yr	Very High	2.5x
Chemical Engineering Compare across schools →	58	$68,234/yr	High	2.9x
Dental Services Dental Support Services and Allied Professions Compare across schools →	51	$69,479/yr	Moderate	2.0x
Design Design and Applied Arts Compare across schools →	51	$64,846/yr	High	1.9x
International Relations International Relations and National Security Studies Compare across schools →	50	$52,262/yr	High	2.2x
Engineering-Related Fields Compare across schools →	48	$73,234/yr	High	1.7x
Public Relations & Advertising Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication Compare across schools →	47	$50,041/yr	High	1.6x
Real Estate Development Compare across schools →	44	$49,353/yr	High	0.8x
Public Policy Analysis Compare across schools →	42	$52,403/yr	High	0.9x
Political Science Political Science and Government Compare across schools →	42	$38,063/yr	Very High	1.9x
Public Health Compare across schools →	42	$36,300/yr	High	2.0x
Communication and Media Studies Compare across schools →	41	$47,651/yr	High	1.8x
Fine Arts Fine and Studio Arts Compare across schools →	38	$50,161/yr	Moderate	1.2x
Architectural Sciences and Technology Compare across schools →	38	$47,874/yr	High	0.8x
History Compare across schools →	38	$36,876/yr	High	1.6x
Philosophy Compare across schools →	37	$38,380/yr	Very High	2.5x
Journalism Compare across schools →	36	$44,651/yr	Very High	1.7x
Neuroscience Neurobiology and Neurosciences Compare across schools →	33	$38,063/yr	High	1.9x
Biochemistry Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology Compare across schools →	33	$34,468/yr	High	2.3x
Social Sciences Social Sciences, General Compare across schools →	33	$33,789/yr	High	1.2x
Sociology Compare across schools →	31	$35,580/yr	High	1.5x
Psychology Psychology, General Compare across schools →	31	$34,139/yr	High	1.5x
Cognitive Science Compare across schools →	29	$34,295/yr	Moderate	0.3x
Biology Biology, General Compare across schools →	25	$20,210/yr	High	1.8x
Arts & Media Management Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management Compare across schools →	24	$26,975/yr	High	0.6x
Dance Compare across schools →	22	$25,653/yr	Low	-0.1x
Film & Photography Film/Video and Photographic Arts Compare across schools →	21	$34,187/yr	High	1.0x
Human Biology Compare across schools →	21	$23,405/yr	High	2.0x
Music Compare across schools →	18	$12,947/yr	High	-0.1x
Rhetoric & Writing Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies Compare across schools →	17	$26,636/yr	Very High	1.4x
Theater & Drama Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft Compare across schools →	14	$21,473/yr	Moderate	0.1x