University of Southern California Snapshot Card

~25+

Online master’s programs

~$2,082–$2,198+

Per credit hour

–

Public university ranking

R1

Public research university

Key policies

Institution type:

Private, Nonprofit

Regional accreditation:

WSCUC

Admissions model:

Rolling — multiple starts per year

GRE/GMAT required:

Waiver available (most programs)

Out-of-state premium:

Varies

Notable Programmatic Accreditations

  • AACSB
  • ABAI
  • CAE-CD
  • CAHME
  • CCNE
  • CSWE
  • NASPAA
Written By - Bob Litt
Last Updated: June 20, 2026
University of Southern California

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Quick Fit Summary: USC’s online master’s programs are built for working professionals who want a top-tier credential from a nationally recognized research university and are willing to pay a significant premium for it. The strongest value proposition is in engineering (Viterbi), social work (Dworak-Peck), and education (Rossier) — programs where USC’s specific school reputation, programmatic accreditation, and alumni network create measurable career advantages. If you’re cost-sensitive or need maximum scheduling flexibility, USC may not be your best path.

Best For:

  • Working professionals in Southern California or West Coast industries who will directly benefit from the Trojan alumni network
  • Engineers and technologists who want a Viterbi credential — one of the most recognized engineering school brands for online master’s programs
  • Social workers seeking a CSWE-accredited MSW with a structured virtual academic center model and multiple concentration options
  • Educators pursuing California teaching credentials or school counseling licensure through Rossier
  • Communication professionals who want an Annenberg-branded degree in a field where school reputation directly impacts hiring
  • Mid-career professionals whose employers offer tuition reimbursement that offsets USC’s premium pricing

Not a Best Fit For:

  • Budget-conscious students who can achieve equivalent career outcomes at a fraction of the cost through strong public university programs
  • Students who need fully asynchronous, self-paced scheduling — several USC programs use cohort models with synchronous components
  • Students outside the West Coast or major metro areas where the USC brand may carry less professional weight relative to cost
  • Applicants who need rolling admissions or immediate program starts — USC uses deadline-based admissions across nearly all programs
  • Students prioritizing the fastest possible completion — USC’s structured timelines are often longer than accelerated alternatives

Snapshot

The University of Southern California is a private, R1 research university based in Los Angeles, regionally accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). USC has been offering online graduate programs since the early 2000s, making it one of the earliest elite universities to invest seriously in distance education infrastructure — particularly through its Viterbi School of Engineering, which launched DEN@Viterbi (the Distance Education Network) well before most peers entered the space.

USC currently offers roughly 25+ online master’s programs spanning engineering, education, social work, nursing, communication, public administration, healthcare administration, business, and data science. Tuition ranges from approximately $2,082 to $2,200+ per credit hour depending on the school, placing USC firmly in the premium pricing tier for online graduate education. Total program costs can range from roughly $66,000 for shorter education programs to over $124,000 for the 60-credit MSW.

What matters for online master’s students: USC’s online programs are taught by the same faculty, carry the same accreditation, and confer the same degrees as their on-campus counterparts. The Trojan alumni network — one of the most active in the country — extends fully to online graduates. However, this comes at a cost that significantly exceeds most public university alternatives and many private competitors.

Institutional Snapshot Card:

  • Institution Type: Private, nonprofit R1 research university
  • Regional Accreditation: WSCUC
  • Location: Los Angeles, California
  • Online Master’s Programs: ~25+
  • Tuition Range: ~$2,082–$2,198+ per credit
  • Notable Distinctions: Early mover in online graduate education; multiple programmatically accredited online programs (AACSB, CSWE, CCNE, NASPAA, CAHME, ABAI); CAE-CD designation for cybersecurity
  • Key Schools Offering Online Programs: Viterbi (Engineering), Rossier (Education), Suzanne Dworak-Peck (Social Work), Annenberg (Communication), Sol Price (Public Policy), Marshall (Business)

Quick Decision Guide

Before diving into program details and comparisons, here’s a top-level decision framework to help you quickly assess whether USC’s online master’s programs align with your situation.

Cost Signal: Premium — approximately $2,082–$2,198+ per credit depending on school. Total program costs range from ~$66,000 to $125,000+.

Learning Model Signal: Asynchronous-dominant with some synchronous components. Several programs (MSW, MAT, School Counseling, Nursing) require in-person field placements or clinical hours.

Admissions Signal: Selective — deadline-based admissions with competitive GPA expectations. Most programs have dropped the GRE/GMAT requirement or offer waivers, but application packages are reviewed holistically.

Flexibility Signal: Moderate — many programs follow structured cohort schedules with defined progression. Part-time enrollment is available in most programs, but truly self-directed pacing is limited.

Main Tradeoff: Elite brand recognition and one of the strongest alumni networks in higher education vs. premium cost that may not be justified for students whose career markets don’t specifically reward the USC credential.

What USC Is Known For in Online Master’s Education

USC’s online master’s reputation isn’t built on breadth alone — it’s anchored in a handful of schools that have invested heavily in online delivery and carry genuine weight in their respective fields. Understanding which USC schools drive real value online is essential for evaluating whether the price premium makes sense for your specific program.

What distinguishes USC from many competitors is that its online programs were designed within existing academic departments, not through a separate “online division.” This means online students access the same faculty, curriculum, and degree designation as on-campus students — a structural advantage that not all universities with prominent online portfolios can claim.

Viterbi School of Engineering

Viterbi is the engine behind USC’s online master’s reputation. The Distance Education Network (DEN@Viterbi) has been running since 1972 — originally delivering courses via broadcast television, then transitioning to online delivery. This head start matters: Viterbi has refined its online infrastructure over decades, not years.

The school offers online MS programs in computer science, electrical engineering, computer engineering, civil engineering, aerospace and mechanical engineering, industrial and systems engineering, biomedical engineering, materials engineering, cybersecurity engineering, applied data science, analytics, financial engineering, and green technologies. Nearly all follow a consistent 32-credit, $2,198/credit structure with three annual start dates. The computer science program, with nine available concentrations including artificial intelligence and game development, is among USC’s most recognized online offerings. Viterbi’s online engineering programs are particularly valuable for professionals in aerospace, defense, and tech industries where the Viterbi name carries specific hiring weight.

Rossier School of Education

Rossier offers online programs in teaching (MAT), TESOL, school counseling, and educational leadership. The MAT program is particularly notable because it leads to a California teaching credential — a critical differentiator for students planning to teach in California’s public school system. The school counseling MEd requires fieldwork hours and is designed for students pursuing licensure.

Rossier’s tuition runs approximately $2,082 per credit, and program lengths vary significantly: the MAT-TESOL is 32 credits (~$66,600), while the school counseling MEd stretches to 48 credits (~$99,900). Students considering Rossier should weigh whether the USC credential provides enough of an advantage over less expensive education programs at strong public universities — a calculation that depends heavily on geographic market and career trajectory.

Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

USC’s online MSW is one of the highest-profile CSWE-accredited online social work programs in the country. It uses a “Virtual Academic Center” model that combines asynchronous coursework with synchronous virtual class sessions, creating a more interactive experience than purely asynchronous alternatives.

The program offers four concentrations — Adults and Healthy Aging, Children Youth and Families, Community Organization Innovation and Change, and Social Enterprise Administration — and requires field placement. At 60 credits and approximately $2,082 per credit, the total estimated cost exceeds $124,000, making it one of the most expensive online MSW options available. The question for prospective social work students is whether USC’s clinical training model, network, and program reputation justify a cost that may be three to four times what a public university charges for a comparable CSWE-accredited degree.

Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Annenberg offers the Master of Communication Management and the MS in Digital Media Management online. In communication and media fields, school brand carries outsized weight — media executives, PR directors, and communication strategists often hire through network connections and school reputation. Annenberg is one of the most recognized communication schools in the country, and its online programs are fully online without in-person requirements.

For students exploring related fields like digital strategy or media management, the Annenberg credential provides genuine differentiation in a crowded market. Those interested in adjacent creative disciplines may also want to explore options like online master’s programs in advertising or UX design master’s programs across other institution

The Trojan Network

The Trojan alumni network is frequently cited as one of USC’s most tangible assets, and for online master’s students, it’s worth evaluating honestly. USC has over 400,000 alumni worldwide, with particularly dense concentrations in Southern California, the broader West Coast, and industries like entertainment, technology, aerospace, engineering, and healthcare.

Online graduates receive full alumni status and access to the same career services, networking events, and alumni directory as on-campus graduates. In markets where the USC name carries weight — Los Angeles, the Bay Area, and many West Coast metropolitan areas — this network can directly translate into job referrals, mentorship, and career advancement. In other regions, the network effect may be less pronounced, which is an important consideration when evaluating whether USC’s cost premium is worth it for your specific career geography.

Online Master’s Programs by Subject

USC’s online master’s portfolio spans eight broad subject areas across six different schools. The table below consolidates every known online master’s program with key decision factors — credit hours, estimated cost, duration, GRE requirements, accreditation status, and whether the program requires any in-person components.

A few patterns worth noting before you review: Viterbi programs share a consistent $2,198/credit, 32-credit structure, making cost comparisons within engineering straightforward. Rossier and Dworak-Peck programs show more variation in credit requirements, which creates significant total cost differences. Programs requiring field placements or clinical hours (MSW, MAT-Teaching, School Counseling, Nursing, Applied Behavior Analysis) add logistical complexity that fully online options do not.

Viterbi’s engineering programs form the largest cluster in USC’s online portfolio. All share the same pricing structure ($2,198/credit, 32 credits, ~$70,336 total) and accept students for fall, spring, and summer starts. None require the GRE, and all are fully online with no in-person requirements.

ProgramDegreeCreditsEst. Total CostDurationGREAccreditationIn-Person
MS in Electrical EngineeringMS32$70,33618–36 monthsNo—No
MS in Computer EngineeringMS32$70,33618–36 monthsNo—No
MS in Aerospace & Mechanical EngineeringMS32$70,33618–36 monthsNo—No
MS in Civil EngineeringMS32$70,33618–36 monthsNo—No
MS in Industrial & Systems EngineeringMS32$70,33618–36 monthsNo—No
MS in Biomedical EngineeringMS32$70,33618–36 monthsNo—No
MS in Materials EngineeringMS32$70,33618–36 monthsNo—No
MS in Cyber Security EngineeringMS32$70,33618–36 monthsNoCAE-CDNo
MS in Green TechnologiesMS32$70,33618–36 monthsNo—No

Concentration availability varies by program. Electrical engineering offers tracks in electric power, VLSI design, wireless networks, and machine learning. Civil engineering covers construction, environmental, structural, and transportation systems. Industrial and systems engineering includes engineering management and operations research tracks. Students comparing online engineering master’s options may want to review programs at peer institutions like Purdue University or explore online master’s programs in California for additional alternatives.

Across all subject areas, the pattern is clear: USC’s strongest online programs are concentrated in Viterbi engineering, Rossier education, and Dworak-Peck social work — the three schools with the longest online track records and the strongest programmatic accreditation profiles. Programs in communication, public administration, healthcare, and business round out the portfolio but may offer less clear differentiation from lower-cost competitors.

How USC Compares to Other Online Master’s Universities

USC doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Prospective students at this price point are almost certainly comparing it against other high-profile institutions with substantial online master’s portfolios. The comparison below places USC against four universities that frequently appear in the same consideration set — each with different strengths and tradeoffs.

DimensionUSCJohns Hopkins UniversityNortheastern UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityArizona State University
Brand RecognitionElite — especially strong on West Coast and in entertainment/techElite — dominant in health and biomedical fieldsStrong — rising brand in online educationStrong — prominent in DC policy/government circlesVery high — largest online portfolio among R1s
Tuition Range (per credit)~$2,082–$2,198~$1,100–$2,000+~$800–$1,600+~$1,100–$1,700+~$550–$1,000
Online Program Breadth~25+ programs across 6 schools~40+ programs~75+ programs~60+ programs~200+ programs
Admissions SelectivitySelective, deadline-basedSelective, deadline-basedModerate-selective, multiple startsModerate-selective, rolling for someModerate, multiple starts
Learning FormatAsync-dominant; some sync/in-personAsync-dominant; some syncAsync-dominant; experiential/co-op integratedAsync-dominantAsync-dominant; some sync
FlexibilityModerate — cohort-structuredModerate — structured termsHigh — many start dates, experiential optionsHigh — rolling starts for some programsVery high — frequent starts, broad access
Strongest Subject AreasEngineering, social work, education, communicationPublic health, nursing, education, biomedicalIT, business, engineering, healthPolicy, political science, healthcare admin, engineeringBusiness, education, engineering, criminal justice

Key takeaways from this comparison:

  • How to read this comparison:
  • vs. Johns Hopkins: Both are elite-brand private universities charging premium tuition. The deciding factor is subject area alignment. If you’re pursuing public health, nursing, or biomedical fields, Johns Hopkins has the stronger reputation. If you’re targeting engineering, social work, communication, or education — particularly with West Coast career goals — USC has the edge.
  • vs. Northeastern: Northeastern offers significantly more online programs and emphasizes experiential learning through its co-op model. Tuition is generally lower than USC’s. Students who value structured professional experience integrated into their degree may find Northeastern’s approach more practical. USC’s advantage is the specific weight of its school brands (Viterbi, Annenberg) and the Trojan network.
  • vs. George Washington University: GWU is the stronger choice for students targeting careers in policy, government, political science, or DC-area healthcare administration. USC outperforms in engineering, media/communication, and social work. Both are premium-priced, so the decision often comes down to geographic career market and subject area.
  • vs. Arizona State University: ASU represents the most dramatic cost difference in this comparison. With tuition often less than half of USC’s per-credit rate and over 200 online programs, ASU provides strong outcomes at substantially lower cost. Students for whom brand prestige is not a decisive factor — or who are in fields where employer reputation sensitivity is low — should seriously evaluate whether ASU or similar public universities deliver equivalent career value. For context, other public university options include University of Florida and Purdue University .

Best For

Not every student should choose USC — but for the right profiles, it can be a genuinely strong investment. The following profiles represent students most likely to see a return on USC’s premium pricing.

  • Working engineers in aerospace, defense, or tech industries: Viterbi’s name recognition in these sectors is not just branding — it directly influences hiring, promotion, and project assignment decisions. Engineers at companies like Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, SpaceX, and major tech firms regularly cite Viterbi credentials as meaningful career differentiators. If your employer operates in these spaces, the $70,000 price tag may be partially or fully reimbursable and professionally transformative.
  • Social work professionals committed to clinical practice in competitive markets: USC’s CSWE-accredited MSW provides a structured clinical training model through its Virtual Academic Center that many online MSW programs cannot match. In competitive markets like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, the USC social work credential carries genuine weight with clinical supervisors and employers.
  • Educators pursuing California credentials or leadership roles: The Rossier MAT programs lead directly to California teaching credentials, which is a specific deliverable that many competing education programs cannot provide. For educators already working in or relocating to California, this is a tangible licensure pathway.
  • Communication professionals in media, entertainment, or corporate strategy: Annenberg’s reputation in communication and media is difficult to replicate at lower cost. In industries where who-you-know and where-you-studied directly shape hiring decisions, the Annenberg credential provides networking access that less recognized programs do not.
  • Mid-career professionals with employer tuition benefits: If your employer covers $10,000–$20,000+ annually in tuition reimbursement, the out-of-pocket cost differential between USC and lower-cost alternatives narrows significantly. In this scenario, the brand premium becomes much easier to justify.
  • Students planning careers in the greater Los Angeles area: The density of USC alumni in Southern California creates a network effect that is geographically concentrated. For students building careers in LA specifically, the Trojan network provides measurable job market advantages across multiple industries.
  • Healthcare administrators seeking CAHME- or NASPAA-accredited programs: The MHA and MPA programs through Sol Price carry the specific programmatic accreditations that employers and credentialing bodies in healthcare and public administration value most.

Not a Best Fit For

Honest evaluation requires identifying who should look elsewhere. The following profiles describe students for whom USC’s online master’s programs may not deliver sufficient value relative to the cost — or may not align with their needs structurally.

Budget-conscious students without employer tuition support: At $2,082–$2,198 per credit, USC is among the most expensive online master’s options in the country. Students funding their own education should calculate total program costs carefully. For many programs — particularly in education, business, and general IT — strong public universities like Arizona State University or University of Florida offer comparable programmatic accreditation and career outcomes at a fraction of the cost. A $70,000–$125,000 investment demands a clear return-on-investment case.

Students who need maximum scheduling flexibility: USC’s cohort-based structures and deadline-based admissions mean you cannot start whenever you want or move through material at your own pace. Students who need self-paced master’s degree options or accelerated 6-month programs should explore universities with fundamentally different delivery models.

Students in regions where USC’s brand is less recognized: The Trojan network is most valuable on the West Coast and in specific national industries (entertainment, aerospace, tech). A student building a career in the Midwest, Southeast, or rural areas may find that a strong regional public university provides equivalent or better professional return at lower cost.

Applicants who need immediate program entry: Nearly all USC online programs use deadline-based admissions with defined cohort start dates. Students who need to start quickly — perhaps due to employer requirements or career transitions — will find this structure limiting compared to universities with rolling admissions and frequent start dates.

Students seeking fully asynchronous, location-independent programs across all fields: While many Viterbi and Annenberg programs are fully online, several of USC’s highest-profile offerings — including the MSW, MAT-Teaching, school counseling, nursing NP programs, and applied behavior analysis — require in-person field placements, clinical hours, or student teaching. Students who cannot arrange local supervised placements face significant logistical barriers.

Career changers entering fields where school brand matters less: In many professional fields — including some areas of IT, general business, and education administration — hiring managers weigh skills, certifications, and experience more heavily than institutional prestige. Students entering these fields may be overpaying for a brand premium that doesn’t translate into proportional career advantage.

Strongest Programs and Top Picks

Not all USC online master’s programs offer the same value proposition. Some combine strong programmatic accreditation, industry reputation, and unique structural advantages that justify the premium. Here are the programs where USC’s online offerings are genuinely differentiated.

This is USC’s most established and arguably strongest online master’s program. Nine concentrations — including artificial intelligence, game development, and software engineering — provide specialization depth that few online CS programs can match. Viterbi’s decades-long investment in online delivery means the infrastructure is mature, the faculty are experienced with online teaching, and employer recognition of the DEN@Viterbi credential is well-established. At $70,336 total, it’s expensive — but in a field where starting salaries for MS-holders frequently exceed $100,000, the ROI math is more favorable than in many other disciplines.

Admissions Snapshot

USC’s online master’s admissions are selective but have become more accessible in recent years through GRE/GMAT policy changes. Here’s what you need to know practically.

Admissions Summary:

  • GPA Expectations: Most programs look for a 3.0+ undergraduate GPA, though strong professional experience can offset lower GPAs in holistic review
  • GRE/GMAT Policy: The majority of USC online programs no longer require standardized tests. Viterbi engineering programs dropped the GRE requirement. The Marshall MBA made the GMAT/GRE optional. Rossier, Dworak-Peck, Annenberg, and Price programs generally do not require standardized tests. Students who want to prepare regardless may find the GRE exam practice test resources on OMC helpful.
  • Application Components: Typically include transcripts, personal statement/statement of purpose, resume, letters of recommendation (usually 2-3), and program-specific materials. Some programs require writing samples, portfolios, or prerequisite coursework.
  • Deadlines: USC uses fixed application deadlines — typically in the fall for spring admission and spring for fall admission. Priority deadlines often carry advantages for funding consideration. This is not a rolling-admissions institution.
  • Selectivity Level: Moderate to selective depending on program. Viterbi engineering programs and the MSW are among the more competitive. Education programs tend to be slightly more accessible.

Practical Guidance: Apply early within each deadline cycle, particularly if you’re seeking financial aid or scholarships. USC’s holistic review means that strong professional experience, a clear statement of purpose, and relevant work history can compensate for GPA shortfalls. If you’re targeting Viterbi programs, quantitative coursework (calculus, linear algebra, programming) is typically expected in your background even though the GRE isn’t required.

Tuition and Cost Overview

Cost is the most important variable in any USC online master’s evaluation. USC sits in the top tier of online master’s pricing — and the variation between schools means that a single tuition figure can be misleading. Understanding the per-school breakdown is essential for accurate budgeting.

Tuition by School

SchoolPer-Credit RateRepresentative ProgramCreditsEstimated Total
Viterbi School of Engineering~$2,198MS in Computer Science32~$70,336
Rossier School of Education~$2,082MAT — TESOL32~$66,624
Rossier School of Education~$2,082MEd in School Counseling48~$99,936
Dworak-Peck School of Social Work~$2,082MSW60~$124,920
Marshall School of Business—Online MBA——
Annenberg School for Communication—Master of Comm. Management32—
Sol Price School of Public Policy—MPA40—
Leonard Davis School of Gerontology—MS in Gerontology36—

Key cost observations:

  • Viterbi programs cluster tightly at ~$70,000 total due to the uniform 32-credit, $2,198/credit structure
  • Rossier program costs vary dramatically — from ~$66,600 (MAT-TESOL, 32 credits) to nearly $100,000 (School Counseling, 48 credits) — because credit requirements differ substantially
  • The MSW is the most expensive individual program at an estimated $124,920, driven by the 60-credit requirement
  • Marshall MBA and several Annenberg/Price programs don’t publish per-credit rates in the same format, so direct cost comparison requires contacting the program

Financial Aid and Scholarships: USC offers need-based and merit-based financial aid to online students, including scholarships, employer tuition reimbursement coordination, federal financial aid (loans), and military/veteran benefits. Graduate assistantships are generally not available to fully online students. Merit scholarships are competitive and typically require application during priority deadline windows.

Cost comparison context: For a 32-credit engineering program, USC’s ~$70,000 total compares to roughly $25,000–$35,000 at many strong public universities (e.g., Arizona State University or University of Florida). The $35,000–$45,000 premium buys the Viterbi brand, faculty access, and Trojan network — whether that’s worth it depends entirely on your career market and employer landscape.

Is the Premium Worth It?

This is the central question every USC online master’s prospect must answer, and the honest answer is: it depends on your specific program, career market, and financial situation.

When the premium is most likely justified:

  • In engineering and computer science, where Viterbi’s reputation directly influences hiring at top-tier employers and where post-graduation salaries are high enough to service the investment
  • In communication and media, where Annenberg’s brand opens doors in competitive creative and corporate markets
  • When your employer covers a significant portion of tuition — reducing the effective premium to a fraction of sticker price
  • In Southern California or West Coast career markets where the Trojan network is most active and most valued

When the premium is harder to justify:

  • In education, where teacher and counselor salaries are relatively modest and public university programs often provide equivalent licensure outcomes at 30-50% of the cost
  • In social work, where the MSW’s $125,000 price tag creates significant debt burden relative to typical post-MSW starting salaries
  • In general business or management, where AACSB-accredited MBAs are widely available at lower cost from strong public universities
  • For students outside the West Coast who won’t benefit from the geographically concentrated Trojan network

The fundamental calculus: calculate your expected post-graduation salary in your target market, subtract your current salary, estimate how many years it takes to recoup the full program cost from that salary differential, and compare that timeline to what a lower-cost alternative would produce. For many Viterbi and Annenberg students, the math works. For many MSW and education students, it may not.

Visit University of Southern California’s official online programs page

If you’re evaluating USC alongside other online master’s programs, these OMC rankings provide additional comparison context:

  • Online Master’s Programs in California : Compare USC’s offerings against other California-based institutions, including public university alternatives that may offer lower tuition for comparable programs.
  • Self-Paced Master’s Degrees : If USC’s cohort-based structure doesn’t fit your schedule, this ranking highlights universities that offer more flexible, self-directed progression — a fundamentally different model from what USC provides.
  • 6-Month Master’s Degree Programs Online : Students who need the fastest possible completion should explore accelerated alternatives. USC’s structured timelines typically require 18-36 months depending on the program.
  • Occupational Therapy Programs : For students in health-related fields adjacent to USC’s gerontology and healthcare administration offerings, this page covers OT-specific options that USC does not offer online.
  • Online Master’s in Speech Pathology : Another health-related comparison point for students considering USC’s health-adjacent programs who may also be evaluating speech pathology pathways.

Frequently Asked Questions

A. Yes. USC online master’s degrees carry the same accreditation, are taught by the same faculty, follow the same curriculum, and result in the same diploma as on-campus programs. The transcript and degree do not indicate the delivery format. Online graduates receive full access to USC alumni services, career resources, and the Trojan alumni network. There is no distinction in how employers or professional organizations view the credential.