Initially founded as the College of Commerce and Business Administration in 1920, the business school at the University of Southern California became the USC Marshall School of Business after a major endowment was given to the school by George S. Marshall in 1997.
2008 saw the school launch its Society and Business Lab, focused on training the next generation of social entrepreneurs, and which later became the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab following a $5 million donation from the Brittingham Family Foundation.
The school’s World Bachelor in Business program gives students admitted into the program the opportunity to earn degrees from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and Bocconi University in Milan in addition to their degree from USC Marshall.
The school offers undergraduate degrees in business administration and accounting in addition to its World Bachelor’s Program.
Students can choose from three master’s in accounting programs: Master of Accounting, Master of Business Taxation, and Master of Business Taxation for Working Professionals.
Additionally, the Marshall School of Business offers multiple MBA programs for business leaders at different points in their careers or those who need to accommodate varied schedules.
Along with its full-time and executive MBA programs, the school offers a part-time MBA for Professionals & Managers, an online MBA program, and its IBEAR MBA program for mid-career managers.
With its excellent facilities and multiple undergraduate and graduate programs for business leaders at any point in their careers, the Marshall School of Business at USC provides excellent educational opportunities for anyone seeking to increase their knowledge and skills in business or accounting.
University of Southern California Marshall School of Business Acceptance Rate
USC Marshall School of Business undergraduate acceptance rate is 10%.
USC Marshall’s MBA program has a 30% acceptance rate.
Undergraduate students admitted to USC Marshall had an average SAT score of 1,479 and an average high school GPA of 3.89, according to Poets & Quants for Undergrads.
The full-time MBA class of 2024 is made up of 190 students. These students had an average GPA of 3.58, and the middle 80% GPA range was 3.26 to 3.92.
For the full-time MBA class, admitted students had an average GMAT score of 732, and the middle 80% range of GMAT scores was 700 to 770. The average GRE score for the same class was 321, and the middle 80% range of GRE scores was 309 to 333.
USC Marshall School of Business Ranking
As befitting the business school of such a prestigious university, the Marshall School of Business is highly regarded by many institutions that rank and compare colleges and universities.
U.S. News and World Report ranks the graduate business program at the school at number 19 in its Best Business Schools list and ranks its part-time MBA program at number 9 in its list of the same.
It further ranks the school’s accounting program at number 7 in its Business School Specialty Rankings list.
The same organization regards the undergraduate programs at USC Marshall favorably as well. The undergraduate business program comes in at number 8, and the school’s international business program is listed at number 10.
U.S. News and World Report lists the school’s accounting, marketing, and real estate programs highly also, with the programs coming in at numbers 9, 11, and 7, respectively.
The QS World University Rankings places the Marshall School of Business ahead of many other business schools as well. For the Masters in Business Analytics ranking, USC Marshall places at number 8 among universities across the globe.
Additional rankings place the business school at numbers 15, 28, and 5 for master’s programs in marketing, finance, and supply chain management, respectively.
The 2022 rankings from the Financial Times saw the MBA program at USC Marshall place at number 25 in the publication’s Global MBA list of rankings.
With such favorable placement from many highly regarded reviewing organizations, anyone considering pursuing an MBA or other business degree should seriously consider applying to the USC Marshall School of Business.
Marshall School of Business Requirements
Applicants for undergraduate admission to the Marshall School of Business begin the application process by submitting the Common Application to USC and listing either business or accounting as their first-choice major. Those admitted to USC will automatically enroll at the Marshall School of Business.
The school does not have cutoffs for grades, standardized test scores, or class rank, although the academic rigor demonstrated by students is taken into consideration during the review of applications.
The school reviews applicants as a whole, seeking to understand the applicant through the required personal essay, resume, and letters of recommendation.
Along with the above-required materials, applicants must submit transcripts by the 1st of November if applying under USC’s Early Action plan, or by the 1st of December if applying through Regular Decision.
For those who wish to enter USC Marshall’s full-time MBA program, they must complete the school’s online application, have an accredited four-year undergraduate degree, submit transcripts, complete two mandatory essays, and submit a professional resume.
The school generally also requires GRE or GMAT scores, but those applying in the 2022 to 2023 admission cycle may request a test waiver.
Notable Alumni of the Marshall School of Business
Since its inception in 1920, USC’s business school has seen its graduates go on to major success and notability. Alumni from the school have found success in science, business, public service, politics, and other fields.
In the business world, Dan Bane, the chairman and CEO of Trader Joe’s graduated from the school with a Bachelor of Science in 1969, and Marc Benioff, the co-founder, chairman, and co-CEO of Salesforce, graduated from USC Marshall in 1986 with his Bachelor of Science degree.
One of the co-founders of Myspace, Chris Dewolfe, earned his MBA from the school in 1997 before launching one of the early social media sites.
Former chairman and CEO of Warner Bros Entertainment, Kevin Tsujihara, graduated from the school of business with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 1986.
Successful politicians who attended USC Marshall include former Nevada senator Dean Heller, who served from 2011 to 2019 after graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1985, and John B.T. Campbell III, who served California as a member of the U.S House of Representatives from 2005 to 2015 after receiving his Master of Business Taxation degree from the school in 1977.
Former director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Charles Elachi, earned his MBA in 1979 while working at JPL.
The late Henry Charles Gordon worked as a test pilot and astronaut for the X-20 Dyna-Soar program after graduating from USC’s business school with his MBA in 1966, following the end of the Dyna-Soar program.
Should You Attend USC’s Marshall School of Business?
Whether one is beginning their journey as an undergraduate business major or a business world veteran seeking additional education and insight, the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business offers its students a wealth of educational opportunities.
From degrees in accounting and business taxation to MBAs and master’s degrees in social entrepreneurship, USC Marshall is sure to provide the education and resources needed for any business pursuit.
The school’s World Bachelor in Business program provides future business leaders the opportunity to gain insight and experience from a global perspective while earning three degrees from highly regarded institutions in the United States, Italy, and Hong Kong.
Highly ranked by U.S News and World Report, the Financial Times, QS World University Rankings, and many others, USC Marshall is one of the leading institutions of higher learning in the world for those interested in furthering their skills and expertise in any area of the business world.
Politicians, astronauts, scientists, executives, and entrepreneurs have all found much to be gained from studying under one of the Marshall School of Business’ many programs.
These graduates have contributed much to the makeup of the current world and are sure to serve as excellent inspirations to the next generation of future leaders in the world.
Partly resulting from its prestigious position among universities worldwide, the USC Marshall School of Business is quite selective in admitting students into its programs.
However, those who know they have much to contribute to the school’s educational environment know that seeking admission to the school will be well worth the effort.
