University of Southern California

Yes, USC has online classes. It has online pre-college courses that high school students can take. While it doesn't currently offer online bachelor's degrees, USC does have over 100 online master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and graduate certificates available that students can complete entirely remotely. According to NCES data, almost a quarter of USC's graduate students participate exclusively in distance learning.

While most coursework may be completed online, programs may require on-campus intensives. For example, USC's online master's degree in business administration begins with a required one-week on-campus class session in Los Angeles. 

USC is an outstanding school with an exceptional reputation. It's one of the most elite doctoral degree-granting universities in the U.S. and has earned an R1 ranking from Carnegie for its doctoral programs and high research activity. 

USC also ranks high on several of our lists, including #1 spots for the Best Online Master's Degrees in Civil Engineering, the Best Online Master's Degrees in Nursing, and the Best Online Colleges for Systems Engineering Degrees.

USC's favorable institutional accreditation status also attests to the educational quality it offers. USC is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). WSCUC consistently finds that USC has sound financial practices and that its academic programming meets federal standards. Graduates can also expect employers to hold degrees from USC in the highest esteem due to the rigor and caliber of education it provides to help students prepare for the workforce. Many degrees at USC are also programmatically accredited by industry organizations, such as the American Bar Association, the American Dental Association, and the American Psychological Association.

To provide the most trustworthy results, OnlineU only includes accredited online institutions on its site. 

USC is known for its robust catalog of online graduate programs at the degree and certificate levels. These career-focused programs include master's degrees in everything from pain management and long-term care administration to human security and geospatial intelligence to library and information science.

Due to its location in the heart of the television and movie industry, USC is also known for its online non-degree certificates in directing and screenwriting for those currently working or interested in working in the entertainment field. Industry experts, including directors and writers from popular TV shows and movies, often instruct courses in these online programs.

It's unknown which of USC's graduate degrees provide the highest earnings for graduates — the U.S. Department of Education does not require USC to provide this data on its graduate programs. 

However, OnlineU's proprietary Salary Score ranks colleges by how much their alums earn compared to graduates with the same degree nationwide. USC has high Salary Scores overall, with a bachelor's Salary Score of 91 out of 100, 83 for its master's degrees, and 71 for its doctoral degrees. Its master's degrees in registered nursing (MSN) and business administration (MBA) have perfect Salary Scores of 100. USC's online master's and doctoral degrees have Salary Scores between 80 and 100.

Getting into USC is incredibly difficult and competitive. Graduate candidates are generally considered high achievers with significantly higher than average undergraduate GPAs. Most graduate programs require entrance exams such as the GRE or GMAT. Knowing this when picking a college can help you set realistic expectations based on your academic standing and entrance exam scores, so your chance of being accepted at your chosen college is high.

For additional perspective, College Scorecard data shows that USC only accepts 13% of undergraduate applicants. SAT combined scores at USC range from 1460 to 1540, and ACT composite scores range from 32 to 35. You can expect the same academic caliber from the graduate candidates you may compete against for enrollment into grad school at USC. 

USC doesn't have a university-wide GPA requirement for its graduate programs. Each may have its own unique criteria to meet. However, it's common for a university such as USC only to consider applicants with 3.0 or much higher GPAs for entry into its programs. Generally speaking, the higher the GPA, the greater your chances of acceptance. 

When applying to college as a graduate student, meeting with a program advisor is crucial to ensure you meet all requirements and that your academic record is considered competitive.

Although individual master's and doctoral degree programs may have additional requirements, USC's admission requirements for graduate distance learners generally include the following:

• An application 
• A $90 application fee
• Official college transcripts showing completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
• Official military transcripts, if applicable
• GRE and GMAT scores

Certain programs may require additional information:

• Letters of recommendation from employers, professors, or academic advisors who can attest to your work ethic and abilities
• A statement of purpose or college application essay
• A resume
• Proof of licensure or certification
• A portfolio of work

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