The USC MBA Complete Guide – Marshall School of Business

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A top factor when considering University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business is the large network that comes along with its host institution. You will find great support through the USC alumni as part of what students lovingly call their “Trojan family”. This strong network is especially present in LA, and can be a useful tool while job searching. 

USC also offers the Management Science specialization within the MBA, which is a STEM certified specialization. This is especially relevant if you are an international student, as the STEM designation adds 24 months of OPT time to your student Visa, and may also increase the scope of future employment opportunities.

MBA students at Marshall also say that the casing and case competition preparations in the program are top-notch. At Marshall, you will get to experience case competitions both the the business school internally as well as externally. This is a great way for you to expand your network and connect with people at other schools and companies.

USC Marshall MBA Class Profile

Class Size199
Acceptance Rate25%
GMAT Average722
GPA Average3.5
Average Age29
Avg. Years Work Experience5.5
Diversity Women35%
Diversity Intl.41%
Pre-MBA IndustriesFinancial Services: 19%
Technology: 14%
Healthcare: 13%
Consulting: 10%
Manufacturing: 6%
Consulting: 6%
Government/Military: 5%
Media/Entertainment: 4%
Consumer Package Goods: 4%
Non-Profit: 4%
Retail: 3%
Hospitality: 2%
Transportation & Logistics: 1%
Other: 7%
Undergraduate MajorsBusiness/Commerce: 32%
Engineering/Computer Science: 16%
Economics: 13%
Sciences: 14%
Social Sciences: 10%
Humanities: 7%
Other: 8%

The data above is from 2023 and represents the USC Marshall class of 2025.
See the full report: USC Marshall MBA Class Profile

Student Experiences

USC Marshall MBA Employment Report & Careers

Salary Average$160,449.00
The average salary is a total of average salary + signing bonus ($130,976+$29,473)
Offers Upon GraduationDoes not disclose
Offers At 3 Mos.Does not disclose
Post-MBA IndustriesTechnology: 29%
Financial Services: 20%
Consulting: 18%
Media/Entertainment/Interactive Gaming: 13%
Consumer Packaged Goods: 7%
Retail: 4%
Healthcare/Biotech/Pharma: 3%
Manufacturing: 2%
Real Estate: 1%
Energy/Utilities: 1%
Other: 2%
Post-MBA LocationsUnited States: 98%
Mid-Atlantic: 1%
Midwest: 2%
Northeast: 6%
South: 2%
Southwest: 3%
West: 84%
Non-US: 2%
Post-MBA Companies

Does not disclose

Career Development ResourcesUSC Marshall Career Services

The data above is from 2021 and represents the career statistics of the USC Marshall class of 2021.*
See the full report: USC Marshall MBA Employment Report

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USC Marshall MBA Academic Programs

MBA Curriculum

The MBA curriculum at USC Marshall spans across the fall and spring semesters of the two years of the program. Each semester is comprised of individual terms. Marshall’s core curriculum is distributed over the first five terms of year one. During these terms, you will take 15 core classes in subjects such as Marketing Management, Corporate Finance, Data Science for Business, Operations Management, and Accounting. You will begin taking elective courses in the spring semester of your first year. These electives cover a wide variety of subject areas, including Data Science and Operations, Business Communication, and Finance and Business Economics. 

See the full offering of courses: Marshall MBA Course Catalog

Majors

USC Marshall does not offer distinctive majors; however, students may choose to pursue one or more of the following 16 concentrations available in the program. 

  • Accounting
  • Business Analytics
  • Business of Creative Industries
  • Business of Education
  • Business of Entertainment
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Entrepreneurship and Operations
  • Finance and Business Economics
  • Healthcare Advisory Services
  • Information Systems
  • Management and Organization
  • Marketing
  • Operations Management
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Sustainability, Society, and Business
  • Technology Development and E-Business

Experiential Learning Programs

At Marshall, students have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience during their MBA through various experience-based projects. Those students interested in careers in alleviating poverty, global health, and education can apply to the MBA Society and Business Fellowship Program. Additionally, the Marshall Leadership Fellows Program allows students to enhance their leadership skills by coaching first year MBA students.

Research Centers

Students at USC Marshall have access to nine research centers that are hosted by the school. These facilities cover business areas such as social enterprise, innovation, and leadership through the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, the Center for Global Innovation, and the Neely Center for Ethical Leadership and Decision Making.

MBA International Study Programs

Through the PRIME program, students have the opportunity to undergo an immersive international experience, where they participate in a 10-day trip to understand the business mechanisms of a foreign country. The PRIME module is part of the core curriculum, and must be completed in the first year. 

Other MBA Formats

In addition to the full-time MBA, the USC Marshall offers other multiple MBA programs, such as executive, part-time, one-year mid-career IBEAR and online.

Video Resources on USC Marshall Academics

USC Marshall MBA Application

The latest application requirements set by the USC Marshall MBA admissions office are described below.

Essays

Here are the prompts for USC Marshall’s most recent application:

Career Goals Essay

  • Essay #1 (Required) – What are your short-term and long-term career goals, and how will an MBA from USC Marshall help you achieve those goals? Short-term career goals should be those you want to achieve within 3-5 years post-MBA, whereas long-term goals may span a decade or more and encompass broader professional aspirations. (Upload file, 400 words maximum)

Teamwork Essay

  • Essay #2 (Required) – In the USC Marshall MBA Program, teamwork is essential to success. Please share an example of a time when you collaborated effectively with others to achieve a personal or professional goal. (Upload file, 400 words maximum)

Optional Essay

  • Essay #3 (Optional) – We realize that each person is more than a list of facts or pre-defined categories, and we’d like to recognize each individual’s unique qualities and experiences. Please use this space to share any additional information about yourself that cannot be found elsewhere in your application and that you would like the Admissions Committee to consider when reviewing your candidacy for the MBA program. (Upload file, 500 words maximum)

Read more: USC Marshall MBA Essays: Tips and Prompts

Letters of Recommendation 

Note: We neither require nor accept letters of recommendation as part of our admissions process.

Video Resources on USC Marshall Admissions

USC Marshall MBA Admissions Interviews

USC Marshall’s MBA interviews are offered on an invite-only basis. Former interviewees report having had great experiences during their interview process, with the interviewer being extremely conversational.

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What Makes USC Marshall Unique?

  • Trojan Family: As part of USC Marshall, you will have access to a network of over 387,000 USC alumni. Within this network, you will have a wide breadth of business connections that will most certainly help you get ahead in your career. 
  • STEM MBA: As of Fall 2019, USC Marshall offers a STEM-certified Management Science specialization. Not only does this offer international students an additional 36 months of temporary stay in the US, it also offers all MBA students a more extensive range of opportunities post-graduation.

Learn how our MBA application consultants can assist you in navigating the complexities of the USC MBA program admissions process

*All data retrieved from the USC Marshall MBA Program webpages, unless otherwise stated.

The Ultimate
MBA Admissions Checklist

Our free, comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to shop for an MBA admissions consultant.

Our free, comprehensive checklist covers everything you need to shop for an MBA admissions consultant.

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Compare pricing across 35+ MBA admissions consulting firms

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