USC Tuition 2026: Costs, Fees & Aid Guide

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🎓 USC tuition fees 2026

USC Tuition 2026: Costs, Fees, In-State & Out-of-State Aid Guide

USC tuition is a high-intent search because students and parents want to know the real cost before they apply, accept admission, or compare USC with another private or California public university.

The important number is not tuition alone. A student must also include required fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, personal expenses, health insurance, payment deadlines, and financial aid.

For 2026 planning, the latest available USC undergraduate budget used in this guide shows about $69,904 tuition, about $71,647 tuition and fees, about $91,578 billed tuition/fees/housing/meals, and about $96,000–$97,000 total estimated cost before aid.

💰 Cost table 🔎 Popular queries 💳 Payment steps
$69,904 tuition

Latest available USC undergraduate tuition planning figure used for 2026 cost planning.

$71,647 tuition + fees

Tuition plus estimated required fees before housing, meals, travel, and aid.

$91,578 billed cost

Tuition, fees, housing, and meals before grants, scholarships, or loans.

No in-state discount

USC is private, so California residency does not create a public-style tuition discount.

USC tuition guide quick navigation

Use this page based on the question you need answered: tuition, fees, in-state/out-of-state cost, room and board, financial aid, payment plan, or student billing.

💰 USC tuition and fees 🔎 Popular searches answered 🏛️ In-state vs out-of-state ⚖️ USC vs public college 🎁 Financial aid and scholarships 🩺 Health insurance costs 🧮 Net price calculator ☎️ Contacts and map

USC tuition and fees 2026: full undergraduate cost breakdown

The table below gives practical USC undergraduate planning numbers. These figures help users searching for USC tuition, USC tuition fees, USC room and board, USC total cost, and USC tuition after aid.

These are latest available planning figures used for 2026 content. USC can update 2026–27 rates, so verify the final numbers with USC Student Financial Services before publication or payment.

USC undergraduate cost planning figures
Cost item Amount What it covers Student/parent note
Tuition About $69,904 Academic instruction for the year. This is the main USC tuition figure people search for.
Required fees About $1,743 Required student or university fees. Fees are part of the real cost and should not be ignored.
Tuition + fees About $71,647 Tuition plus required fees. Useful for searches like “USC tuition fees” and “USC tuition per year.”
Housing About $12,271 Estimated housing/room cost. Housing can vary by residence hall, apartment, location, and student lifestyle.
Meals About $7,660 Meal/dining cost used in the student budget. This is the board or meal-plan part of room and board searches.
Room and board About $19,931 Housing + meals. Useful for “USC tuition with room and board.”
Billed tuition, fees, housing, meals About $91,578 Tuition + fees + housing + meals. This is closer to the yearly USC bill before aid for a student using housing and meals.
Books and supplies About $1,200 Books, digital materials, course supplies, and lab/course items. Can vary by major, especially for engineering, art, architecture, science, or lab courses.
Transportation About $584+ Local travel, move-in travel, flights, car, transit, or rideshare costs. Out-of-state and international students should budget more than local commuters.
Personal expenses About $3,000+ Laundry, phone, clothing, personal items, and daily spending. This may not be billed directly, but students still need a real budget.
Total estimated cost of attendance About $96,000–$97,000 Tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, and personal expenses. Use this full-cost number before financial aid, not tuition alone.
Source and update note: Use these as latest available USC undergraduate planning figures. Update the article with USC’s final 2026–27 tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, personal expense, and health-related figures before final publication if USC changes its budget.
Real USC cost = estimated cost of attendance − USC grants − scholarships − outside awards − work-study/aid credits + remaining family/student responsibility

USC in-state vs out-of-state tuition: private university pricing explained

Many users search “USC in-state tuition” or “USC out-of-state tuition” because they compare USC with UCLA, UC Berkeley, Cal State, or another public university.

USC is private, so it does not use the public-college model of lower California resident tuition and higher nonresident tuition for undergraduate students.

How residency affects USC undergraduate cost
Search intent Direct answer What actually affects cost?
USC tuition fees in-state No separate California resident tuition discount. Financial aid, scholarships, housing, meals, personal budget, and commuting/living choices.
USC tuition fees out-of-state No separate out-of-state undergraduate tuition rate. Travel cost, aid package, outside scholarships, housing, and family contribution.
USC tuition international students Review current international aid, scholarship, and billing rules. Travel, health insurance, exchange rates, banking delays, visa timing, and documents.
Practical answer: USC’s sticker tuition is similar by residency type, but the final net price can be very different after scholarships, grants, family resources, and living choices.

USC vs California public universities: compare net price, not only tuition

A California resident may see a lower public-university tuition number at a UC or Cal State school and assume USC is automatically more expensive.

USC can still be worth comparing if the student receives strong grants, scholarships, or a better academic/career fit. The fair comparison is full cost minus aid.

California public university comparison

Public universities may have lower in-state tuition, but students still need to add fees, housing, meals, books, travel, transportation, and personal expenses.

Out-of-state public university costs can rise sharply once nonresident tuition and living expenses are added.

USC comparison

USC’s sticker price is high, but scholarships and need-based aid may reduce the net price for eligible students.

Compare USC by net price, career fit, major access, graduation path, and debt—not by tuition alone.

Decision tip: Put every college into the same format: tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, travel, personal expenses, grant aid, scholarships, loans, and final family cost.

USC financial aid and scholarships: how families reduce the real cost

USC’s full cost before aid can feel high. But the real cost may change after grants, scholarships, work-study, loans, outside awards, and family contribution are applied.

Aid can depend on FAFSA, CSS Profile where required, income, assets, household size, academic profile, scholarship deadlines, special circumstances, and required documents.

USC aid topics students should understand
Aid topic Meaning What students should do
USC grants Need-based institutional aid that can reduce the billed cost. Submit all required financial aid documents correctly and on time.
Merit scholarships Competitive awards based on academic or talent-based factors. Check scholarship deadlines, early application rules, and department requirements.
Federal aid Federal grants, loans, and work-study for eligible students. Complete the FAFSA early and monitor USC aid tasks.
Outside scholarships Awards from private organizations, employers, nonprofits, and community groups. Report outside awards and ask how they affect the financial aid package.
Loans Borrowed money that must be repaid with interest. Borrow only after comparing grants, scholarships, payment plans, savings, and lower-cost alternatives.
Special circumstances Income loss, medical bills, divorce, business changes, or unusual expenses. Contact financial aid early and prepare documentation.

Common USC financial aid documents

Requirements can vary by student type and aid year. Missing documents can delay the real net price and make the bill look higher than expected.

FAFSA CSS Profile if required Parent tax forms Student tax forms Business records Scholarship letters Verification documents Special circumstance proof
FAFSA

Eligible U.S. students should use the official FAFSA to apply for federal student aid.

USC Financial Aid

Use USC’s official financial aid resources to check forms, aid tasks, scholarships, deadlines, and special circumstance guidance.

Health insurance, health fees and hidden USC cost checks

Health-related charges can affect the USC bill. Some students may already have qualifying coverage, while others may need a student health insurance plan.

Before paying, check whether student health insurance, student health fees, or waiver requirements appear on the account.

What to check

Look for student health fee, insurance plan charge, waiver option, proof of coverage requirement, immunization tasks, and waiver deadline.

Why it matters

Missing a waiver deadline can add a large avoidable charge. Confirm health-related billing before the tuition due date.

Billing tip: If the student has family insurance, do not assume it automatically removes USC health charges. Follow the official waiver process if available.

USC Net Price Calculator: estimate tuition after aid before deciding

The Net Price Calculator helps families estimate what USC may cost after grants and scholarships.

It is not the final financial aid offer, but it is much more useful than judging USC only by the $96,000+ full estimated cost.

Open USC’s official net price resources Use USC’s official financial aid and cost resources rather than relying only on third-party estimates.
Enter real family information Use accurate income, assets, parent details, student income, household size, and other requested details.
Look at the remaining family cost Grants and scholarships matter, but the key number is the amount the family may still need to pay or finance.
Compare colleges by net price USC may be more or less affordable than another school after aid, even when sticker prices look very different.
Ask about changed finances If family income changed, a parent lost work, medical costs rose, or circumstances changed, contact financial aid about review options.
Parent tip: Do not decide USC is unaffordable from tuition alone. Use net price, debt level, scholarship offer, program fit, and graduation path together.

How to pay USC tuition: student bill, payment plan and billing checklist

USC tuition is paid through the official student billing and account process.

The safest step is to check the bill line by line before paying. Aid, scholarships, housing, meals, health insurance, and previous balances can change the amount due.

Start with USC student financial services Use USC’s official student account and billing resources for tuition bills, payment methods, due dates, and account guidance.
Review every charge Check tuition, fees, housing, meals, health insurance, course fees, previous balance, and special program charges.
Confirm aid credits Make sure USC grants, scholarships, loans, outside awards, and expected aid appear before paying the full balance.
Check payment plan options A payment plan may spread the balance, but it can have setup fees, enrollment windows, and installment dates.
Pay before the deadline Bank transfers, card payments, international payments, and payment processors can take time.
Save proof Keep receipts, transaction IDs, screenshots, bank proof, scholarship records, and payment confirmations.

Payment mistakes that create stress

  • Paying before aid posts: The balance may change after grants, loans, or scholarships appear.
  • Missing authorized payer setup: Parents may need access before they can view or pay the bill.
  • Ignoring health insurance: A missed waiver can add a major charge.
  • Waiting until the due date: Payment posting is not always instant.
  • Borrowing too early: Compare grants, scholarships, payment plans, and budget options first.

USC billing deadlines, late payment risk and account holds

USC bills are connected to academic terms. Due dates can vary by semester, program, housing status, and student account activity.

A missed balance can create late fees, registration issues, account holds, or housing/payment stress.

Billing risks and practical actions
Issue Why it matters What to do
Fall bill Usually the first major bill of the academic year. Check tuition, fees, housing, meals, aid, insurance, and payment plan options early.
Spring bill May include different charges, aid adjustments, or previous balances. Review it separately instead of assuming it matches fall.
Outside scholarship delay Scholarship checks may take time to post. Submit award details and processing instructions early.
Loan delay Loans may not disburse if requirements are incomplete. Check counseling, promissory notes, verification, and aid tasks.
Payment plan deadline Enrollment may close before the bill due date. Check plan options before the term starts.
Unpaid balance Can lead to late fees or account holds. Contact student financial services before the deadline if payment is delayed.
Practical warning: If you know payment will be late, contact USC before the due date. Waiting silently usually makes the problem harder to fix.

USC refunds, withdrawals and cost changes

Tuition can change if a student drops classes, withdraws, changes housing, changes meal plan, adjusts enrollment, or has aid revised.

Refund rules are usually tied to dates. Ask before making academic or housing changes because the financial result may not be obvious.

Before dropping a class

Ask whether the drop changes tuition, full-time status, aid, housing eligibility, or academic progress.

Before withdrawing

Ask how tuition, fees, housing, meals, loans, grants, and account balance will change.

Before changing housing

Check housing contract rules, meal plan changes, cancellation charges, and refund timing.

Before borrowing more

Ask financial aid about grants, scholarships, payment plans, work options, and special circumstances.

USC tuition contacts, address and map

Billing and financial aid are connected, but they are not always handled by the same team. Contact the correct USC office to avoid delays.

USC Student Financial Services / Student Account Services

Best for tuition bills, student accounts, payment plans, billing deadlines, balances, refunds, and payment questions.

Official site: sfs.usc.edu

Phone commonly listed: 213-740-4077

Address commonly listed: University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90089

USC Financial Aid

Best for FAFSA, grants, scholarships, loans, work-study, financial aid tasks, special circumstances, and aid offers.

Official site: financialaid.usc.edu

Phone commonly listed: 213-740-4444

Address commonly listed: University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Before contacting USC: Have the student name, USC ID if assigned, semester, bill screenshot, aid offer, scholarship letter, payment confirmation, and parent/authorized user access details if needed.

USC University Park Campus map

Use this map for general USC campus location. Confirm office hours, appointment rules, parking, and exact office location before visiting.

Student and parent checklist before paying USC tuition

Start with full cost Use tuition, but also include fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, personal expenses, and health-related costs.
Check the total cost range Plan around the full estimated cost before aid, not tuition alone.
Run the Net Price Calculator Estimate the family cost after grants and scholarships.
Prepare aid documents early FAFSA, CSS Profile if required, tax forms, verification, and scholarship records may be needed.
Compare aid offer with bill Make sure grants, scholarships, loans, insurance, housing, and meal charges appear correctly.
Ask before borrowing Contact financial aid if the bill looks unaffordable or family finances changed.

FAQs about USC tuition fees 2026

How much is USC tuition in 2026?

Using the latest available undergraduate planning figure, USC tuition is about $69,904 before fees, housing, meals, books, transportation, personal expenses, and financial aid.

What are USC tuition and fees together?

USC tuition is about $69,904 and required fees are about $1,743, so tuition and fees together are about $71,647 before housing and meals.

What is USC tuition with room and board?

Tuition, fees, housing, and meals together can be about $91,578 before financial aid, using latest available planning figures.

What is USC total cost of attendance?

The latest available estimated cost of attendance used in this guide is about $96,000–$97,000 before aid, depending on final personal, transportation, and health-related costs.

What are USC tuition fees in-state?

USC does not have a separate in-state tuition rate because it is a private university.

What are USC tuition fees out-of-state?

USC does not charge a separate out-of-state tuition rate for undergraduate students.

How much is USC tuition per semester?

A simple tuition-only estimate is about $34,952 per semester, but actual term bills can differ because fees, housing, meals, insurance, aid, and prior balances may post differently.

Can USC be cheaper after aid?

Yes. USC grants, scholarships, federal aid, outside awards, and family circumstances can reduce the final net price for eligible students.

Does USC give merit scholarships?

Yes. USC has competitive merit scholarship opportunities, but deadlines and eligibility rules matter. Students should also complete financial aid forms for need-based aid.

Is USC worth the cost?

It depends on net price after aid, scholarship offer, debt level, major, career goals, graduation path, and personal fit. Compare USC by net price, not sticker price alone.

Bottom line: USC tuition fees for 2026 planning should be understood as a full-cost picture. Tuition is about $69,904, tuition and fees are about $71,647, tuition/fees/housing/meals can reach about $91,578, and total estimated cost before aid is about $96,000–$97,000. USC has no public-style in-state or out-of-state tuition split, so the most important number is the net price after grants, scholarships, and payment planning.

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