Seven Top-Tier USC Degrees in Accounting and Finance
USC appears in our ranking of the 25 Great Master of Financial Engineering Programs.
Fertitta Hall, the Marshall School of Business led by Dean James Ellis grants a 128-unit B.S. in Accounting for University of Southern California Trojans to earn CMA or CIA certification while joining Beta Alpha Psi, attending the Leventhal Conference, and interning at Big Four firms. Chaired by Dr. Tyrone Callahan, the B.S. in Business Administration specializes a 128-unit, AACSB-accredited plan in Real Estate Finance to land internships like Coldwell Banker, engage in Lusk Center projects, and participate in the Financial Executives Institute. The World Bachelor of Business overseen by Dr. Kenneth Ahern uniquely admits cohorts of 45 for a 128-unit, three-continent curriculum blending Los Angeles with Hong Kong University of Science & Technology and Universitá Bocconi sessions.
Online via 2SC, the Marshall M.B.A. in Business Administration offers a 51-unit, 21-month sequence ranked fifth by the U.S. News & World Report that costs $105,192 total with an Accounting or Finance & Business Economics emphasis for 95 percent job placement. Directed by Dr. William Holder, the Master of Accounting shapes a 30-unit, one-year track toward a 69 percent first-time CPA pass rate with 500-level courses like Family Wealth Preservation and a China experience. Similarly, the Master of Business Taxation has an average class size of 35 under Dr. Mark Defond for a 30-credit degree with VITA practice and LA Finance Day events. Funded via assistantships, the 60-unit Ph.D. Program advised by Dr. Wayne Ferson offers an Accounting or Finance Concentration with dissertation work for teaching gigs at Stanford, Duke, Cornell, Cambridge, Emory, and others.
About the University of Southern California
The University of Southern California originated in 1880 when Judge Robert M. Widney welcomed an inaugural class of 53 to his 308-acre frontier town school for only $15. In 1885, it opened Southern California’s first College of Medicine. In 1920, USC launched the College of Commerce & Business Administration. In 1930, USC built the Trojan Shrine that leads to its current nickname. In 1935, the University of Southern California honored President Franklin D. Roosevelt with an Honorary Doctor of Laws. By 1960, the Graduate School of Business Administration was opened. Twelve years later, USC developed the United States’ earliest degree for entrepreneurship. On February 7, 1979, the premier Pac-12 member designated the Leventhal School of Accounting. In 1997, its School of Business was donated $35 million by Marshall Industries CEO Gordon S. Marshall.
Endowed for $5.5 billion, the University of Southern California now employs 4,451 full-time faculty teaching 47,500 Trojans from 123 countries online and on-campus near Hollywood with 1,000+ clubs like the Accounting Society. In 2008, USC received the Air Quality Management District’s Clean Air Award for sustainability. In 2019, Southern California proudly accepted the ACE Reginald Wilson Diversity Leadership Award. Forbes placed USC 30th overall with the 21st most impactful research. On Niche, USC boasts America’s second best business school, 7th best student life, and ninth top accounting programs. The Wall Street Journal named the University of Southern California 66th globally. Bloomberg honored Marshall for the 13th best MBA nationally. The Economist crowned USC the 28th best value. TaxTalent.com also applauded Southern California for the #1 master’s.
University of Southern California Accreditation Details
On March 6, 2015, the University of Southern California was notified by the Western Association of Schools and Universities (WASC) Senior College and University Commission that it passed the in-depth Level VI accreditation review for reaffirmation through Spring 2021 under its 12th president, Dr. Carol L. Folt, who earned the Huntington Award for Teaching Excellence. Located 370 miles north via Interstate 5 in Alameda, this elite eight-territory Pacific Region accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to evaluate USC’s 95 baccalaureate and 134 graduate programs. Particularly, the Marshall School of Business was reaccredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) on August 21, 2017. Since February 2009, Southern California has been a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Institute Program Partner too.
University of Southern California Application Requirements
Admission to the University of Southern California is labeled “most selective” by Peterson’s because only 9,042 of the 56,676 Fall 2017 applicants were okayed for 16 percent acceptance. First-year Trojans battling for B.S. in Business Administration or Accounting spots must display superior academic talents in college-prep curricula. Most rank in the top 10th percentile of their classes with a median 3.73 GPA. The Class of 2021 had mid-range SAT scores of 1360-1510 out of 1600. Typical ACT marks are 29-34 out of 36. Competitive transfers have 30+ accredited units, including College Writing and Algebra II, with an average 3.7 GPA. The Marshall School of Business considers post-grads with accredited bachelor’s GPAs above 3.0. Master of Accounting entrants must fulfill seven prerequisites like Auditing/Assurance and Corporate Finance. Master’s students have a mean 3.6 GPA, 650 GMAT score, 106 TOEFL mark, and 132 months of experience. The Ph.D. program also permits an average 151 Verbal, 155 Quantitative, and 4.0 Analytical Writing GRE score.
The University of Southern California set freshman deadlines of December 1st for Merit Scholarship and January 15th for final consideration. Marshall School transfers can apply until February 1st. The MBA has four application rounds ending on October 15th, January 5th, March 1st, and April 15th. The Master of Accounting has a May 1st domestic and January 15th global deadline. Prospective Ph.D. candidates must apply before December 15th yearly. Accordingly, complete the Common or USC Application online for $85 ($155 if graduate). Official academic records go to 3607 Trousdale Parkway in Los Angeles, CA 90089. Send electronic testing reports with SAT/GRE code 4852, ACT code 0470, or GMAT code 389-XR-28. Program-specific materials include the 2-3 recommendation letters, personal objectives statement, video essay, one-page résumé, English proficiency verification, and research proposal. Pose further questions to (213) 740-8885 or busadm@marshall.usc.edu.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, the University of Southern California is billing B.S. in Business Administration majors $28,628 each semester or $57,256 annually full-time. Taking under 12 units will cost $1,863 apiece. Undergrads are paying mandatory fees of $939 each year. Freshmen and transfers cover a $450 new student fee. Residing at the Los Angeles campus’ dorms like Marks Tower adds $15,916 for room and board. USC budgets $1,200 for books, $1,564 for personal expenses, and $584 for transport. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals $77,459 on-site and $62,495 at home. The World Bachelor of Business charges $55,320 yearly with $16,071 for accommodations. Online MBA cohorts pay $99,692 total tuition plus a $5,500 program fee. Master of Accounting and Taxation students have an inclusive yearly price of $84,307. Each graduate Marshall School course costs $1,863 per unit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office at John Hubbard Hall connects 59 percent of full-time USC Trojans to assistance packages averaging $36,039 each for $402.81 million combined. University funds include the Mork Family Scholarship, Stamps Scholarship, Trustee Scholarship, International Academic Scholarship, Leadership Scholarship, Transfer Merit Scholarship, Alumnae Scholarship, Asian Pacific Association Scholarship, Half Century Scholarship, Hong Kong Schools Alumni Scholarship, Lambda LGBT Scholarship, Norman Topping Scholarship, Yellow Ribbon Award, and Latino Association Scholarship. The Presidential Scholarship gifts $27,000 yearly to 200 outstanding freshmen with minimum 3.5 GPAs. The $2,500 Belle Vivan Scholarship has a June 30th deadline for female Marshall School majors committed to gender equity. Southern California is also a Forté Fellows Program participant for MBA funding. Filing FAFSA forms coded 001328 determines federal aid, including Pell and SEOG Grant, eligibility. Golden State residents often receive the Cal Grant A for up to $9,223.
Learn more about the University of Southern California at the Marshall School of Business website.
