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USC Marshall School of Business

Image for USC Marshall School of Business
CLASS SIZE 199
Women 35%
MEAN GMAT 722
MEAN GPA 3.5

The University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business is situated in the southeastern corner of USC’s University Park campus in Los Angeles, California. In addition to its full-time MBA program, the school offers a part-time MBA program, an online MBA program and several Executive MBA options. Hallmarks of the full-time program include its early start and small class size. Also notable is the program’s international experiential learning requirement, called Pacific Rim International Management Education or PRIME, through which students visit companies and speak with executives in the Pacific Rim and Latin America.

FAQ

What is the tuition for Marshall’s MBA program?

The tuition for Marshall’s MBA program is $79,893 per year. The total cost of the Marshall MBA program is $122,922 for the first year and $106,769 for the second year; this includes budgeted living expenses.

How hard is it to get into Marshall’s MBA program?

The acceptance rate for Marshall is 23%. It is important to consider the acceptance rate in the context of the student profile of those who are admitted. For example the average GMAT score is 722.

What is the average GMAT score for admission to Marshall’s MBA program?

The average GMAT score for the incoming class at Marshall is 732.

Does the Marshall MBA program accept the GRE?

Yes. The Marshall MBA program has accepted the GRE for a few years now.

What is the average GRE score for admission to Marshall’s MBA program?

The average Verbal GRE score at Marshall is 160. The average Quant GRE score at Marshall is 163.

What is the minimum number of years of work experience required for admission to Marshall’s MBA program?

Marshall does not state a minimum requirement for years of work experience. However, it is important for candidates to be aware that they are being considered against other candidates with an average of 5.5 years of experience.

What is the average number of years of work experience for admission to Marshall’s MBA program? (or, What is the average age of a Marshall student?)

The average number of years of work experience among students in Marshall's MBA program is 5.5. The average age of a Marshall MBA student is 29.

What is the average starting salary for graduates of the Marshall MBA program?

The average starting salary for Marshall MBA graduates is $150,602. The salary will vary by industry, with consulting and finance jobs generally commanding the higher salaries.

How long is Marshall’s full-time MBA program?

Marshall offers a traditional 2 year MBA program.

What are the application deadlines for Marshall's MBA program?

The Round 1 MBA application deadline is October 1, 2024. The Round 2 application deadline is January 10, 2025. The Round 3 deadline is April 15, 2025.

What percent of Marshall MBA students are women?

The percentage of the class at Marshall that are women is 35%.

What type of interview does Marshall use for MBA admissions?

Marshall offers interviews by invitation. The interviews are resume-based. This means the interviewer has not had access to the application materials.

Admissions

The Class Profile

The 199 students who matriculated in the Class of 2025 had an average undergraduate GPA of 3.5 and an average GMAT score of 722. Twenty percent of the Marshall MBA class identify as U.S. underrepresented students of color. Women make up 35% of the class and 41% are international.

Thirty-two percent of the Marshall Class of 2025 had studied business/commerce during their undergraduate years. Sixteen percent had studied engineering/computer science and 13% had studied economics. Fourteen percent had majored in the sciences and 10% studied social sciences. Another seven percent had studied the humanities. Students averaged 5.5 years of work experience before matriculation and their average age landed at 29.

Application Procedures

Marshall’s full-time MBA program offers three rounds of application submission deadlines. To apply, prospective students must submit an online application form, official academic transcripts from any undergraduate and graduate institutions attended, required essays and a résumé. The school also requires applicants to submit official GMAT or GRE score reports (waiver available), and, if applicable, a TOEFL or IELTS score report. Interviews are required for admission and are offered by invitation only. USC Marshall does not have an application fee and discourages applicants from submitting recommendations.

Application Checklist

  • Data Form
  • Résumé
  • Academic Transcripts
  • GMAT/GRE and TOEFL/IELTS Academic Scores
  • Essays

Essay Topic Analysis

Need help with your essays? Get our experts' advice.

Interview Reports

USC / Marshall Q&A's

USC / Marshall LiveWire and DecisionWire

MBA LiveWire

August 16, 2024 12:59pm ET
Applied to USC / Marshall
Round: Round 1
Received via email
GPA: 3.8
Post MBA Career Name: Non Profit / Social Impact
June 28, 2024 11:09am ET
Enrolled at USC / Marshall
Round: Round 4
Received via phone
GPA: 3.5
GMAT: 615
Note:

$15,000 Scholarship

June 13, 2024 9:49pm ET
Waitlisted at USC / Marshall
Round: Round 5
Received via email June 13, 2024
GPA: 3.64
GRE: 318
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Technology
Application Location: Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam
June 4, 2024 6:27pm ET
Accepted to USC / Marshall
Round: Round 4
Received via email June 4, 2024
GPA: 3.5
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Note:

90k scholarship / fellowship offered. Interviewed 5/20 emailed 6/4

June 2, 2024 11:02am ET
Accepted to USC / Marshall
Round: Round 4
Received via email on May 31, 2024
GPA: 3.0
GMAT: 655
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Finance
Application Location: Los Angeles
Note:

Interviewed 5/20, accepted 6/1 60k scholarship

June 1, 2024 10:12pm ET
Accepted to USC / Marshall
Round: Round 4
Received via email June 1, 2024
GPA: 3.88
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Finance
Application Location: Seattle
Note:

Applied 4/15, Waiver approved 4/28, Interview invite 5/9, Interviewed 5/15.
Rejected from UW Foster (undergrad alum), so this was amazing news. Fight on!

June 1, 2024 9:40pm ET
Accepted to USC / Marshall
Round: Round 4
Received via email June 1, 2024
GPA: 3.32
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year
Post MBA Career Name: Finance
Application Location: Los Angeles, CA
Note:

Super Stoked, didn't expect but got a 60k Scholarship
Interview Invite: 5/10
Interviewed 5/14

June 1, 2024 8:20pm ET
Accepted to USC / Marshall
Round: Round 3
Received via email June 1, 2024
GPA: 3.3
Program Type: Traditional Two-Year

MBA DecisionWire

Cor
August 20, 2024 9:28am ET
Enrolled: Cornell / Johnson
Admitted: Cornell / Johnson $
$40000
,
Washington U. / Olin $
$100000
Applied: Cornell / Johnson, Michigan / Ross, UVA / Darden, Vanderbilt / Owen, Washington U. / Olin
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Undecided
GPA: 3.85
Location: Miami, FL
Notes:

This is for applicants who are applying directly from undergrad to an MBA program without "post-bachelor" work experience. It is tough but possible with perseverance.

Sta
July 31, 2024 12:10pm ET
Enrolled: Stanford GSB
Admitted: U. Chicago Booth , Columbia $
$180000
,
Harvard Business School $
$130000
,
Michigan / Ross , Stanford GSB $
$130000
Applied: U. Chicago Booth, UPenn / Wharton, Stanford GSB, Michigan / Ross, Harvard Business School, Columbia
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Undecided
GMAT: 750
Notes:

Selecting Stanford GSB for smaller class size and focus on innovation and entrepreneurship.

IES
July 23, 2024 3:58pm ET
Enrolled: IESE
Admitted: Cornell / Johnson , Duke / Fuqua , IESE , UPenn / Wharton , Yale SOM
Applied: Cornell / Johnson, Duke / Fuqua, Harvard Business School, IESE, Michigan / Ross, Northwestern / Kellogg, UPenn / Wharton, Yale SOM
Entering Year: 2024
Post MBA Career: Entrepreneurship
GMAT: 710
GPA: 3.6
HBS
July 23, 2024 9:21am ET
Enrolled: Harvard Business School
Admitted: Harvard Business School , Stanford GSB
Applied: Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School
Entering Year: 2024
GMAT: 760
Notes:

Opt'ed for HBS given stronger alumni network, larger class/network size, and better placement outside of Tech industry

Academics

Faculty

Throughout its seven academic units, Marshall employs just over 250 full-time faculty members. In addition to teaching classes, these scholars and practitioners also help staff the school’s nine centers and institutes, which range in focus from sports business research to the commercialization of technology.

Curriculum

Marshall’s professors draw upon a variety of teaching methods. The school notes that professors use case discussions, student presentations and team projects more frequently than lecture-based learning. To help students get to know each other better, Marshall divides its incoming class into three “cores” that take all of their required courses together. Each core is further broken down into teams of five to six students that complete group projects together; students are assigned to different teams in the fall and spring semesters.

Over the course of five terms in the first academic year, Marshall MBAs complete the core requirements, which include such business topics as microeconomics, data science, leadership and more. In Term 4, student teams consult with a Los Angeles-based company to develop solutions for real-life business problems. Year one also includes the Global Context of Business course followed by the PRIME overseas experience. During the 10-day PRIME trip, students visit domestic and multinational companies and governmental institutions, and complete business projects that evaluate the cultural, financial, political and other constraints and opportunities of the given country. The first year can include up to 7.5 elective credits.

The second year of the MBA program is comprised entirely of elective courses and students should have 30 elective credits left after completing 7.5 in their first year. Each year, students can choose from a menu of nearly 100 elective offerings. They may also design their own cross-functional, individualized program of study or develop an independent study project to earn credits. Second-year students may also cross-register for courses at other USC schools and departments, applying up to nine credit units of non-Marshall courses towards their MBA degree. As of Spring 2020, Marshall’s entire full-time MBA Program is STEM certified.

Other MBA Degree Options

Along with its full-time MBA program, Marshall offers a three-year, part-time MBA for Professionals and Managers at its main campus in Los Angeles. The school also has a two-year Executive MBA program, a three-year part-time MBA for fully employed professionals, a one-year Accelerated MBA for mid-career professionals, as well as a flexible, 21-month Online MBA.

Degree Offerings at Marshall

Full-time MBA Program
https://www.marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-programs/mba-programs/full-time-mba

Part-Time MBA Program
MBA Program for Professionals and Managers
https://www.marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-programs/mba-programs/part-time-mba

Online MBA Program
https://www.marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-programs/mba-programs/online-mba

Executive MBA Programs
Executive MBA
https://www.marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-programs/mba-programs/executive-mba

1 Year International MBA (IBEAR)
https://www.marshall.usc.edu/programs/graduate-programs/mba-programs/international-mba

Campus Life

Clubs, Conferences & Competitions

Students at Marshall have many opportunities to become involved in extracurricular activities. The full-time MBA program has over 40 student-run organizations that cover community, career, diversity, social and athletic interests. One of the most popular student clubs is Challenge for Charity, through which Marshall students compete against teams from other West Coast MBA programs in athletic, volunteer, social and fundraising events to benefit groups like Special Olympics, Junior Achievement and A Better LA. Meanwhile, on the more professional side, USC Marshall Graduate Women in Business helps develop the careers of women MBA students by organizing events, such as lunches with executives, company presentations and panels on women leaders in business.

Further supplementing students’ extracurricular options, Marshall’s research centers and student organizations host conferences and competitions throughout the year. For instance, the USC Marshall Business of Entertainment Association hosts an annual conference on the evolution of the entertainment business. Meanwhile, the Lloyd Greif Center for Entrepreneurial Studies organizes the New Venture Seed Competition, through which teams of student, faculty, and staff entrepreneurs from Marshall and other USC graduate schools compete for cash prizes of up to $85,000 in seed funding.

Campus Space

The Marshall School of Business is located in the University of Southern California’s University Park campus close to downtown Los Angeles. Marshall’s graduate programs are housed in Popovich Hall, which, in addition to academic facilities, boasts a café and a courtyard that serve as common meeting places for members of the Marshall community. Students and faculty can also take advantage of the nearby Crocker Business Library for their research needs.

MBA students can find housing on campus in both apartments and residence halls.  However, a fair number of Marshall students choose to live off-campus in nearby Los Angeles neighborhoods.

MBA Careers

Career Services

Marshall’s MBA Career Services provides year-round career development programming to help students secure summer internships and post-MBA jobs in their desired fields. Offerings include interview preparation, job search engines and help with résumé updating, among others. In addition, students have a wide variety of opportunities to meet with potential employers through on-campus information sessions and receptions. MBA Career Services also organizes several hiring events throughout the year, as well as site visits.

Career Statistics

Twenty-nine percent of the Class of 2022 went into technology careers after graduating from Marshall. Consulting was the second most popular industry, claiming 21% of graduates. Financial services followed at 20%, and 10% percent of the class went into the media and entertainment industry. Healthcare attracted 6% of the Class of 2022. Meanwhile, the top three most chosen functions were marketing/sales, financial services, and consulting, which drew 29%, 28% and 25% of 2022 graduates respectively. The average base salary among all graduates was $150,602.

As often occurs among business school graduates, a large proportion of the Class of 2022, 87%, found post-MBA employment in the region where Marshall is located: the Western U.S. The Northeastern U.S. drew 7% of graduates, and 1% chose jobs internationally. The remaining portion of the class spread throughout the Southwestern, Midwestern, and Southern regions of the U.S.

Financing

Tuition for the first year at Marshall is $79,893 in 2024-2025 with an additional $6,836 in fees. However, the school estimates that considering other living expenses such as housing and textbooks, students will spend approximately $122,922 in this time. The second-year cost amounts to $106,769, based on 2024-2025 tuition. To help students finance their education, Marshall offers several merit-based fellowships ranging from partial to full tuition for domestic and international applicants. Second-year students who do not receive a fellowship when admitted to the program are eligible for Dean’s Scholarships, which are awarded based on accomplishments during the first year of the MBA program. Students may also finance their education through federal and private loans.

Cost of Attendance (First Year, 2024-2025)

  • Tuition $79,893
  • USC Central Services and Health Fees: $1,636
  • MBA Program Fees: $1,350
  • PRIME Fee: $3,850
  • Books/Supplies: $2,376
  • Total Living Expenses: $29,140
  • Student Health Insurance: $3,040
  • Loan fees: $1,637 (Domestic Students Only)
  • Total $122,922

Contact

Mailing Address:
USC Marshall MBA Admissions
630 Childs Way — JKP 308
Los Angeles, CA 90089-2633
Phone: 213-740-7846
Fax: 213-749-8520
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.marshall.usc.edu
Twitter: @USCMarshall