USC Estimated Cost of Attendance
The USC estimated cost of attendance is an average figure used to determine your financial aid eligibility. It includes average amounts for standard expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, supplies, room, board and other allowable living expenses for your period of enrollment. Estimated budgets are shown below.
Keep in mind that your actual costs may differ. Additionally, estimated budgets for students in some programs may be higher or lower because of longer or shorter enrollment periods, special laboratory or studio supply fees, or other additional costs incurred by all students in the program. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state residents.
Your estimated cost of attendance is available online at My Financial Aid & Documents. In some cases we can increase your budget to take into account additional expenses. For more information please see Special Circumstances.
2012-2013 Estimate of Costs:
The following are estimated costs for two semesters if you are living in university housing or in non-university housing, but not with parents or relatives, other than a spouse.MASTER's program
| Flat Rate | Full Time | Half Time | Dissertation | |
| Taking 15 to 18 units per semester | Taking 8 to 14 units * per semester | Taking 4 to 7 units ** per semester | Taking 2 units per semester | |
| Tuition | $43,722 | $29,460 | $17,676 | $5,892 |
| Mandatory Fees | $1,659 | $1,659 | $1,659 | $1,153 |
| Room & Board | $15,900 | $15,900 | $15,900 | $15,900 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,344 | $1,008 | $672 | $336 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $1,828 | $1,828 | $1,828 | $1,828 |
| Transportation | $2,475 | $2,475 | $2,475 | $2,475 |
| Total (add $35 USC Orientation Fee for the first semester) |
$66,928 | $52,330 | $40,210 | $27,584 |
*The tuition amount is based on 10 units of tuition. If you take more than 10 units and would like to request an increase to your estimated cost of attendance, contact the Financial Aid Office.
**The tuition amount is based on 6 units of tuition. If you take more than 6 units and would like to request an increase to your estimated cost of attendance, contact the Financial Aid Office.
doctoral program
| Flat Rate | Full Time | Full Time | Half Time | Dissertation | |
| Taking 15 to 18 units per semester | Taking 10 to 14 units * per semester | Taking 6 to 9 units ** per semester | Taking 3 to 5 units *** per semester |
Taking 2 units per semester | |
| Tuition | $43,722 | $35,352 | $23,568 | $11,784 | $5,892 |
| Mandatory Fees | $2,148 | $2,148 | $2,148 | $1,642 | $1,642 |
| Room & Board | $15,900 | $15,900 | $15,900 | $15,900 | $15,900 |
| Books & Supplies | $1,344 | $1,008 | $672 | $336 | $336 |
| Personal and Miscellaneous | $1,828 | $1,828 | $1,828 | $1,828 | $1,828 |
| Transportation | $2,475 | $2,475 | $2,475 | $2,475 | $2,475 |
| Total (add $35 USC Orientation Fee for the first semester) |
$67,417 | $58,711 | $46,591 | $33,965 | $28,073 |
*The tuition amount is based on 12 units of tuition. If you take more than 12 units and would like to request an increase to your estimated cost of attendance, contact the Financial Aid Office.
**The tuition amount is based on 8 units of tuition. If you take more than 8 units and would like to request an increase to your estimated cost of attendance, contact the Financial Aid Office.
***The tuition amount is based on 4 units of tuition. If you take more than 4 units and would like to request an increase to your estimated cost of attendance, contact the Financial Aid Office.
Payment Deadlines and Methods
For detailed information, visit the USC Student Financial Services website.