by our College Data Analytics TeamIf you want to know more about University of Southern California, such as what majors does it offer, how diverse it is, how well it ranks, and more, this is your one-stop resource.
University of Southern California awards degrees and credentials ranging from bachelor’s degrees up to its highest offering, the doctor’s degree - research/scholarship and professional practice.
| Degree Level | Offered |
|---|---|
| Certificate | — |
| Associate | — |
| Bachelor’s | ✓ |
| Master’s | ✓ |
| Doctorate | ✓ |
Completions: 11,944 undergraduate · 25,040 graduate (36,984 total)
Ranked by the number of degrees awarded, these are the most popular majors at University of Southern California.
| Most Popular Majors | Graduates |
|---|---|
| Multi-Disciplinary Studies | 18,492 |
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. | 2,363 |
| Computer Science. | 1,533 |
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. | 627 |
| Social Work. | 623 |
Among University of Southern California programs with salary data, these majors lead on average graduate earnings.
| Highest-Paying Majors | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $167,228 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | $143,726 |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other. | $135,775 |
| Systems Engineering. | $125,714 |
| Law. | $121,676 |
Explore the full list of majors at University of Southern California, sorted by study area.
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-Disciplinary Studies | 18,492 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods. ↳ Management Science. · Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods, Other. · Business Statistics. |
2,363 | $93,128 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. ↳ Business Administration and Management, General. · Project Management. · Business Administration, Management and Operations, Other. · Non-Profit/Public/Organizational Management. · Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain Management. |
467 | $117,416 |
| Human Resources Management and Services. ↳ Human Resources Management/Personnel Administration, General. |
222 | NA |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. ↳ Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations, Other. |
95 | $56,947 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. ↳ Hospitality Administration/Management, General. · Restaurant/Food Services Management. |
70 | NA |
| Marketing. ↳ Marketing/Marketing Management, General. |
36 | $113,473 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. ↳ Finance, General. |
23 | $143,726 |
| Taxation. | 8 | $81,685 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | 7 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science. | 1,533 | $109,241 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. ↳ Informatics. · Artificial Intelligence. · Human-Centered Technology Design. |
405 | NA |
| Computer Software and Media Applications. ↳ Modeling, Virtual Environments and Simulation. · Data Modeling/Warehousing and Database Administration. |
128 | $72,085 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. ↳ Computer and Information Systems Security/Auditing/Information Assurance. |
37 | NA |
| Information Science/Studies. | 13 | NA |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | 2 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. ↳ Occupational Therapy/Therapist. · Physical Therapy/Therapist. · Rehabilitation Science. · Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions, Other. |
432 | $71,321 |
| Public Health. ↳ Public Health, General. · International Public Health/International Health. · Behavioral Aspects of Health. |
408 | $45,688 |
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. ↳ Pharmacy. · Pharmacoeconomics/Pharmaceutical Economics. · Pharmaceutical Sciences. · Clinical and Industrial Drug Development. · Pharmaceutical Marketing and Management. · Pharmacy Administration and Pharmacy Policy and Regulatory Affairs. · Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration, Other. · Pharmaceutics and Drug Design. |
324 | $107,103 |
| Dentistry. | 172 | $84,839 |
| Medicine. | 172 | $61,414 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. ↳ Health/Health Care Administration/Management. · Long Term Care Administration/Management. |
145 | $105,389 |
| Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences. ↳ Oral Biology and Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology. · Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences, Other. · Endodontics/Endodontology. · Pediatric Dentistry/Pedodontics. · Dental Public Health and Education. · Orthodontics/Orthodontology. · Prosthodontics/Prosthodontology. · Periodontics/Periodontology. · Oral/Maxillofacial Surgery. |
88 | $104,166 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. ↳ Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling. |
71 | $47,828 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. ↳ Family Practice Nurse/Nursing. |
67 | $167,228 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. ↳ Physician Associate/Assistant. |
63 | $121,309 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other. | 35 | NA |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. ↳ Speech-Language Pathology/Pathologist. |
23 | NA |
| Medical Clinical Sciences/Graduate Medical Studies. ↳ Medical Science/Scientist. |
7 | NA |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | 6 | NA |
| Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities. ↳ Medical/Health Humanities. |
6 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. ↳ Electrical and Electronics Engineering. · Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering, Other. |
398 | $108,989 |
| Engineering, Other. | 220 | $97,458 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. ↳ Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General. |
203 | $92,913 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | 190 | $83,050 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. ↳ Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering. |
139 | $62,857 |
| Computer Engineering. ↳ Computer Engineering, General. |
129 | $106,621 |
| Industrial Engineering. | 89 | $70,709 |
| Civil Engineering. ↳ Structural Engineering. · Civil Engineering, General. · Transportation and Highway Engineering. · Civil Engineering, Other. · Water Resources Engineering. |
82 | $79,094 |
| Electrical and Computer Engineering. | 75 | NA |
| Chemical Engineering. ↳ Chemical Engineering. · Chemical Engineering, Other. |
57 | $66,458 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering. | 28 | NA |
| Systems Engineering. | 24 | $125,714 |
| Construction Engineering. | 22 | NA |
| Materials Engineering. | 20 | NA |
| Operations Research. | 14 | NA |
| Petroleum Engineering. | 11 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. ↳ Cinematography and Film/Video Production. · Film/Cinema/Media Studies. · Film/Video and Photographic Arts, Other. |
339 | $32,036 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. ↳ Acting. · Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General. · Playwriting and Screenwriting. · Technical Theatre/Theatre Design and Technology. · Musical Theatre. · Dramatic/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft, Other. |
245 | $26,445 |
| Music. ↳ Music Performance, General. · Stringed Instruments. · Voice and Opera. · Music, Other. · Keyboard Instruments. · Jazz/Jazz Studies. · Music Theory and Composition. · Woodwind Instruments. · Music, General. · Brass Instruments. · Music History, Literature, and Theory. · Musicology and Ethnomusicology. |
209 | $21,748 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management. ↳ Music Management. · Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management, General. |
129 | $49,190 |
| Design and Applied Arts. ↳ Design and Visual Communications, General. · Game and Interactive Media Design. |
110 | $29,631 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. ↳ Art/Art Studies, General. · Art History, Criticism and Conservation. · Fine/Studio Arts, General. · Fine Arts and Art Studies, Other. |
77 | $28,913 |
| Visual and Performing Arts, General. ↳ Digital Arts. · Visual and Performing Arts, General. |
32 | $18,394 |
| Dance. ↳ Dance, General. |
22 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Communication, General. ↳ Speech Communication and Rhetoric. · Communication and Media Studies, Other. · Communication, General. |
514 | $54,871 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. ↳ Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication. · Public Relations/Image Management. · International and Intercultural Communication. |
238 | $50,869 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. ↳ Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. |
209 | NA |
| Journalism. | 140 | $41,876 |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies. ↳ Programs for Foreign Lawyers. · Advanced Legal Research/Studies, General. · Arts and Entertainment Law. · International Business, Trade, and Tax Law. · Legal Research and Advanced Professional Studies, Other. · American/U.S. Law/Legal Studies/Jurisprudence. · Banking, Corporate, Finance, and Securities Law. · Comparative Law. |
627 | $55,238 |
| Law. | 220 | $121,676 |
| Legal Professions and Studies, Other. | 203 | $79,420 |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work. ↳ Social Work. · Social Work, Other. |
623 | $50,797 |
| Public Policy Analysis. ↳ Public Policy Analysis, General. · Public Policy Analysis, Other. · International Policy Analysis. |
191 | $57,111 |
| Public Administration. ↳ Public Administration. · Transportation and Infrastructure Planning/Studies. |
172 | $68,264 |
| Public Administration and Social Service Professions, Other. | 11 | $135,775 |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Human Biology. | 282 | $30,297 |
| Data Analytics. ↳ Business Analytics. |
208 | NA |
| Gerontology. | 124 | $50,914 |
| Cognitive Science. ↳ Cognitive Science, General. |
70 | $49,368 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. ↳ Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. |
49 | $46,690 |
| Dispute Resolution. | 31 | $68,397 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | 29 | NA |
| International/Globalization Studies. | 24 | NA |
| Historic Preservation and Conservation. ↳ Historic Preservation and Conservation, General. |
13 | NA |
| Science, Technology and Society. | 12 | NA |
| Behavioral Sciences. | 12 | NA |
| Sustainability Studies. | 9 | NA |
| Mathematics and Computer Science. | 4 | NA |
| Marine Sciences. | 1 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Economics. ↳ Econometrics and Quantitative Economics. |
363 | $54,837 |
| Political Science and Government. ↳ Political Science and Government, General. · Political Economy. |
152 | $41,043 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies. ↳ International Relations and Affairs. |
142 | $48,625 |
| Geography and Cartography. ↳ Geographic Information Science and Cartography. |
61 | $64,374 |
| Sociology. ↳ Sociology, General. |
53 | $37,102 |
| Social Sciences, General. ↳ Social Sciences, General. · Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods. |
44 | $28,365 |
| Urban Studies/Affairs. | 21 | NA |
| Anthropology. ↳ Anthropology, General. |
20 | NA |
| Archeology. | 3 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Administration and Supervision. ↳ Educational Leadership and Administration, General. · Higher Education/Higher Education Administration. · Urban Education and Leadership. |
385 | $91,602 |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. ↳ Counselor Education/School Counseling and Guidance Services. · College Student Counseling and Personnel Services. |
164 | $43,485 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. ↳ Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas, Other. |
123 | $48,045 |
| Teaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language. ↳ Teaching English as a Second or Foreign Language/ESL Language Instructor. |
50 | $43,457 |
| Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research. ↳ Learning Sciences. |
24 | NA |
| Special Education and Teaching. ↳ Education/Teaching of the Gifted and Talented. |
14 | $48,557 |
| Education, Other. | 12 | NA |
| Education, General. | 1 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences. ↳ Neuroscience. · Neurobiology and Neurosciences, Other. |
131 | $26,886 |
| Biology, General. ↳ Biology/Biological Sciences, General. · Biomedical Sciences, General. |
87 | $24,988 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology. ↳ Computational Biology. · Bioinformatics. · Biostatistics. · Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other. |
68 | NA |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology. ↳ Biochemistry. · Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. · Molecular Biology. · Biophysics. |
61 | $24,569 |
| Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences. ↳ Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Other. · Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology. |
42 | NA |
| Pharmacology and Toxicology. ↳ Pharmacology and Toxicology, Other. · Molecular Pharmacology. |
41 | NA |
| Physiology, Pathology and Related Sciences. ↳ Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. · Oncology and Cancer Biology. · Pathology/Experimental Pathology. · Physiology, Pathology, and Related Sciences, Other. |
32 | NA |
| Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology. ↳ Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography. · Epidemiology. · Ecology, Evolution, Systematics and Population Biology, Other. · Evolutionary Biology. |
18 | NA |
| Biotechnology. | 16 | NA |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology. ↳ Microbiology and Immunology. |
12 | NA |
| Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other. | 9 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Real Estate Development. | 161 | $70,818 |
| Architectural Sciences and Technology. ↳ Architectural and Building Sciences/Technology. |
142 | $57,889 |
| City/Urban, Community, and Regional Planning. | 62 | $61,621 |
| Landscape Architecture. | 15 | NA |
| Architecture. | 8 | $50,964 |
| Environmental Design. ↳ Environmental Design/Architecture. |
8 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Psychology, General. | 247 | $34,924 |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. ↳ Applied Psychology. · Applied Behavior Analysis. |
113 | $57,415 |
| Research and Experimental Psychology. ↳ Research and Experimental Psychology, Other. |
12 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Mathematics. ↳ Financial Mathematics. · Computational and Applied Mathematics. · Applied Mathematics, General. |
301 | $61,861 |
| Mathematics. ↳ Mathematics, General. |
31 | NA |
| Statistics. ↳ Statistics, General. |
5 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. ↳ Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. |
58 | NA |
| Security Science and Technology. ↳ Cyber/Computer Forensics and Counterterrorism. |
49 | NA |
| Homeland Security. ↳ Crisis/Emergency/Disaster Management. |
17 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering-Related Fields. ↳ Engineering-Related Fields, Other. |
105 | NA |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | 5 | NA |
| Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians. ↳ Biomedical Technology/Technician. |
4 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry. ↳ Chemistry, General. · Chemical Physics. |
47 | NA |
| Physics. ↳ Physics, General. |
35 | NA |
| Materials Sciences. ↳ Materials Science. |
15 | NA |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. ↳ Geology/Earth Science, General. |
9 | NA |
| Astronomy and Astrophysics. ↳ Astronomy. |
3 | NA |
| Physical Sciences, General. | 1 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| English Language and Literature, General. | 52 | NA |
| Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies. ↳ Creative Writing. · Rhetoric and Composition/Writing Studies, Other. |
49 | $23,653 |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Philosophy. ↳ Philosophy, Other. · Philosophy. |
92 | $28,506 |
| Religion/Religious Studies. ↳ Religion/Religious Studies. · Jewish/Judaic Studies. |
7 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| History. ↳ History, Other. · History, General. |
99 | $29,963 |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. ↳ Comparative Literature. · Linguistics. · Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services, Other. |
34 | NA |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. ↳ Spanish Language and Literature. · French Language and Literature. · Italian Language and Literature. |
29 | $36,038 |
| East Asian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | 17 | NA |
| Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | 5 | NA |
| Slavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. ↳ Russian Language and Literature. |
1 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. ↳ Environmental Science. · Environmental Studies. |
81 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Area Studies. ↳ East Asian Studies. · American/United States Studies/Civilization. · Near and Middle Eastern Studies. · Latin American Studies. · Area Studies, Other. |
27 | NA |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies. ↳ Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other. · African-American/Black Studies. · Hispanic-American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican-American/Chicano Studies. · Asian-American Studies. |
20 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Graphic Communications. ↳ Animation, Interactive Technology, Video Graphics, and Special Effects. |
35 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Library Science and Administration. ↳ Library and Information Science. |
25 | $42,614 |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Foods, Nutrition, and Related Services. ↳ Foodservice Systems Administration/Management. |
5 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Religious Music and Worship. ↳ Religious/Sacred Music. |
2 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations. ↳ Signal/Geospatial Intelligence. |
1 | NA |
| Major | Graduates | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. ↳ Exercise Science and Kinesiology. |
1 | NA |
Footnotes
*The racial-ethnic minorities count is calculated by taking the total number of students and subtracting white students, international students, and students whose race/ethnicity was unknown. This number is then divided by the total number of students at the school to obtain the racial-ethnic minorities percentage.
References
More about our data sources and methodologies.