University of Southern California

How this program compares

At an estimated $85.3K in total tuition, the MS in Computer Science – Artificial Intelligence sits about 101% above the $42.4K average for AI master's programs in our database — placing it in the 92nd percentile on cost among the 531 we track at this level. It is one of the 57% of programs in our database offered fully or partly online.

Admission Snapshot

Typical admitted student: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, preferably in computer science or a related field, with strong performance in core courses like algorithms, data structures, and AI; those from other fields may qualify with at least three core CS courses and one related math course. A minimum TOEFL score of 90 (20 per section) is required for international students.

About This Program

USC's MS in Computer Science with an Artificial Intelligence specialization combines a strong CS department with access to USC's Information Sciences Institute, a major AI research center. Coursework spans machine learning, NLP, robotics, and computer vision.

Located in Los Angeles, the program offers strong connections to entertainment, gaming, and a growing West Coast tech sector, making it attractive for students targeting applied AI roles in those industries.

Career Outcomes

Lead as Machine Learning Engineer in Cross-Industry AI with machine learning expertise

• 1. AI Research Scientist
• 2. Machine Learning Engineer
• 3. Computer Vision Specialist
• 4. NLP Engineer

What You'll Learn

• Develop advanced machine learning models for predictive analytics and decision-making.
• Apply computer vision techniques for image recognition and object detection.
• Build natural language processing systems for text analysis and generation.
• Design deep learning architectures for complex AI applications.

Curriculum Highlights

Required coursework includes analysis of algorithms, foundations of AI, deep learning, and specialized electives in vision, robotics, or NLP.

Top Employers

Top employers include Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and AI research labs at companies like OpenAI and NVIDIA.

Admissions

Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree, preferably in computer science or a related field, with strong performance in core courses like algorithms, data structures, and AI; those from other fields may qualify with at least three core CS courses and one related math course. A minimum TOEFL score of 90 (20 per section) is required for international students.

Application Materials

• Statement of Purpose: Required
• Letters of Recommendation: 2–3
• Resume: Required
• Transcripts: Official transcripts required

Academic Requirements

• Degree Required: Bachelor's degree
• GRE/GMAT: Not Required
• TOEFL/IELTS: Required for international students (TOEFL 90+ / IELTS 6.5+)