Free resource for international students - visa, universities, scholarships, jobs, and life in the US
Private UniversityEst. 1880STEM OPT Eligible

Study in University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

12%
Acceptance Rate
29%
Intl Students
86%
OPT Job Rate
Last verified: March 2026 - cross-referenced with official university and USCIS sources. Visa rules change - always confirm with your DSO.

Overview for International Students

USC is the largest private research university in California, located in Los Angeles. With 29% international students and the top-ranked film school in the US, USC is the premier destination for international students in entertainment, media, and communications - alongside strong programs in engineering and business.

  • 29% international students - one of the highest rates in US private universities
  • #2 film school in the US (School of Cinematic Arts)
  • Located in LA - entertainment industry internships accessible from campus
  • Strong Viterbi School of Engineering for STEM OPT pathways
  • Trojan alumni network: one of the most active alumni communities in the US
  • Marshall School of Business top-ranked for finance and entrepreneurship

Who Thrives at USC?

USC has a split personality that works in your favor if you understand it. The Viterbi School of Engineering is a serious STEM program with strong tech industry placement. The Marshall School of Business feeds finance, consulting, and LA's entertainment economy. And the School of Cinematic Arts is, simply, where the film industry is trained. The campus culture skews toward the ambitious and the connected - USC alumni ('the Trojan network') are infamously loyal to one another in career contexts. For international students wanting to enter Hollywood or LA's entertainment tech scene (streaming, gaming, social media), USC is the only logical choice.

Rankings

#106
QS World
#27
US News
#2 (Cinema)
US News Film School

Admissions Requirements

Acceptance Rate12%
Total Enrollment48,945
TOEFL Minimum100 (iBT)
IELTS Minimum7

Application Deadlines

Early ActionNovember 1
Regular DecisionJanuary 15

Popular Majors for International Students

BusinessFilmComputer ScienceCommunicationEngineering

Scholarships for International Students

Trustee Scholarship
Full tuition for exceptional students
USC Merit Awards
$5,000–$30,000/year
Note: Scholarship availability and amounts change annually. Always verify directly with the university financial aid office before applying.

Jobs & OPT for International Students

STEM OPT Eligible
Yes - 3 years total
OPT Employment Rate
86% within 6 months

Top Employers Who Hire from USC

DisneyWarner Bros.GoogleAmazonGoldman SachsSnapNetflix

Cost Summary (Annual)

Tuition & Fees$65,446
Est. Living Costs$23,000
Total Est. Cost$88,446

Estimates for 2025–26 academic year. Actual costs vary. Check university website for current figures.

International Student Profile

Total Enrollment48,945
Intl Students14,000
Intl Student %29%

International Student Office

DSO Contact:
ois@usc.edu
Official Intl Office

Monthly Visa Update

Visa rule changes, scholarship deadlines, and OPT updates - once a month.