<p>I would say that it’s a great college, but not one of the best. Even many state universities surpass USC in a lot of aspects, and the their tuitions aren’t nearly as high as USC’s 40k. I was just wondering, what makes USC more expensive than MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Rice, etc???</p>
<p>In fact, it is the 3rd most expensive out of this list:
[The</a> Top Undergraduate Business Programs](<a href=“http://bwnt.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/undergrad_bschool_2009/]The”>http://bwnt.businessweek.com/interactive_reports/undergrad_bschool_2009/)</p>
<p>Also, is there an advantage of choosing USC over UT Austin (in state) if I’m going to major in finance?
other than the fact that I absolutely hate how hot it is here in Texas…</p>
<p>No doubt USC is an expensive school. However, looking at the list it appears it is 7th on the list behind GWU, Carnegie Mellon, Richmond, NYU, Georgetown, and Rensselaer. The tuition tuition is also within $500 of Lehigh, Villanova, Wharton, BC, and WUSTL. So while very expensive, it isn’t way over the top. And more than 60% of students are on financial aid.</p>
<p>In regards to UT-Austin, that would be a great choice if you are in state. Possible reasons to consider 'SC are if you get good financial aid, want to live on the West Coast, weather (as you mentioned), and the fact that it’s slightly more selective.</p>
<p>My mother got a Masters from USC. She went to hear the president speak once. The president was asked why USC increased its fees so much from year to year. His response: “Because we can”.</p>
<p>Who was the President at time? I’d imagine it was a long long time ago given that you are a parent. And without being there he could have been joking or saying that tongue-in-cheek. The current President, Steven Sample, has set a new course for USC and has been very successful in bringing in high-caliber students. In addition, USC INCREASED its financial aid budget by 8% this year, even as many schools are cutting back: [USC</a> Financial Aid Expected to Increase](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/16180.html]USC”>http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/16180.html)</p>
<p>Because they want money to fund their football team</p>
<p>I don’t know who the president at the time was. This statement was made perhaps 5-8years ago, long after my mother recieved her Masters in the early 80s. Not tongue-in-cheek; it made a very definite impression on my mother who took it as a statement of arrogance. She does however still think highly of USC’s education.</p>
<p>Get serious, folks. The tuition that USC and <em>ALL</em> private universities charge does not even cover the expenses of running the university. <em>ALL</em> private universities run at a deficit, and depend upon alumni and corporate donations to keep afloat.</p>
<p>The more appropriate question would be something like — why does USC lose only $19,500 on each student instead of the $20,000 other universities lose?</p>
<p>Well, I am going to get an IB diploma and was wondering if USC was particularly crazy about IB students? I know that UT Austin isn’t, and if USC gives me comparatively good advantages for having the diploma, then I might choose USC over UT. If not, then forget USC.</p>
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<p>The football program is actually a money maker through ticket sales, sponsorships, etc, and subsidizes other sports.</p>
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<p>Fair enough, it was probably not the most tactful thing to say.</p>
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<p>Right, at of early 2008, tuition “accounts for only about 80 percent of the actual total cost of instruction USC must pay.” Source: [University</a> Endowments and Tuition Costs](<a href=“http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/14959.html]University”>http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/stories/14959.html)</p>
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<p>In what sense? In any case, judging by the tone of your post, USC might not be the best fit for you…</p>
<p>Ok, well, how rigorous is the academics at USC?</p>
<p>Rigorous, but fair. I am in the Marshall school and the quality of instruction has exceeded my expectations. Just about all my my professors, with the exception of 1 or 2, have been really top notch. Many of them have many years experience in the industry and advanced degrees. Both of my accounting professors were former CFO’s, for instance. The finance program is the most popular concentration within the business school and although I am not a finance major I have heard very positive things.</p>
<p>sfgiants, I’ve been having a dilemma between finance and computer science. What I truly want to do is IT-related but they don’t seem to have that there?</p>
<p>So I was wondering whether finance would be better to major in or CS… basically, which would be the more flexible degree (overlaps the other when it comes to getting hired)</p>
<p>USC has a dual computer science/business major that you may want to look into: [Department</a> Of Computer Science - USC](<a href=“http://www.cs.usc.edu/admissions/undergrad/default.htm]Department”>http://www.cs.usc.edu/admissions/undergrad/default.htm) With this program you can concentrate in finance but also have a cs degree.</p>
<p>Another option is to concentrate in information systems within the Marshall school: [USC</a> Marshall Careers in IS](<a href=“http://www.marshall.usc.edu/iom/curriculum/undergrad/business-information-systems-career-opportunities.htm]USC”>http://www.marshall.usc.edu/iom/curriculum/undergrad/business-information-systems-career-opportunities.htm) With this track, you end up taking 4 IT courses on top of the core business curriculum.</p>
<p>I am currently concentrating in information systems and just landed an internship with a Big-4 firm so feel free to ask any questions.</p>
<p>usually, higher tuition helps account for any new faculty, salary increases, spending increases, etc.</p>
<p>I suspect that because of the area USC is in, they need more money to get better security for all their students. lol</p>
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<p>this is only categorically true when financial aid expenditures are included as an institutional expense. a full pay student at a poorly or moderately endowed (say, less than $100,000 per student) private school that does not generate significant research grant dollars is likely paying more for his education than the school is spending on all operations (including things like fund raising) per student. simply, the schools financial/merit aid budget is likely larger than its spendable endowment income, current operations giving, and research/government grant support combined.</p>
<p>obviously, this caveat does not apply to usc. so to answer the question, usc charges $50,000 per year because that is what virtually every other top private college in the country charges. charge more than your peers and you stick out as an unaffordable sore thumb (that has the audacity to charge much more than harvard or stanford). charge less and, in addition to losing out on tuition revenue, people will think that you do not provide an education on par with colleges charging more. its tacit market collusion.</p>
<p>LOl, sfgiants, thanks.</p>
<p>I did have a very important question to ask: how are the girls? Are they prude or more liberal? Are the girls of diverse ethnic backgrounds?</p>
<p>Also, I’ve been thinking that CS degrees can easily be earned online, since the subject is essentially just technical. I’m guessing that a business department has much more to offer in today’s society…</p>
<p>It’s because they’re buying their way into the top tier of schools, and buying your way into anything costs money, naturally.</p>
<p>I should add that they ARE doing a good job of it, so this isn’t quite ■■■■■■■■ ;)</p>
<p>hey… i am gonna ask something a little off topic. i am from India and m looking forward to apply at USC school of cinematic arts for fall of 2012. i went through the link (USC Financial Aid - Applying & Receiving Financial Aid - Graduates & Professionals - Costs)
where they have mentioned the costs and it left me all the more confused. they have mentioned that the overall fees, including the housing and transportation etc is $64,029 and am applying for an MFA which is for 3 yrs. so the doubt i had was, do i have to pay 64k every yr fr 3 yrs or is it for the entire MFA. thanks.</p>