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University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Program

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

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BS Music Industry

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenNo AuditionNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Training

Music Industry BS combines business, technology, recording, publishing, live music, artist management, entrepreneurship, and the economics of creative work

Coursework examines both established industry systems and emerging digital models

Professional Development

Project-based work prepares students for labels, management, licensing, touring, venues, marketing, and independent ventures

Location

Los Angeles places study near major music companies, studios, venues, artists, and media businesses

Degree Flexibility

USC courses outside Thornton add business, communication, and technology perspectives

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average net price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Training

Music Industry BS combines business, technology, recording, publishing, live music, artist management, entrepreneurship, and the economics of creative work

Coursework examines both established industry systems and emerging digital models

Professional Development

Project-based work prepares students for labels, management, licensing, touring, venues, marketing, and independent ventures

Location

Los Angeles places study near major music companies, studios, venues, artists, and media businesses

Degree Flexibility

USC courses outside Thornton add business, communication, and technology perspectives

Program Highlights

Training

Music Industry BS combines business, technology, recording, publishing, live music, artist management, entrepreneurship, and the economics of creative work

Coursework examines both established industry systems and emerging digital models

Professional Development

Project-based work prepares students for labels, management, licensing, touring, venues, marketing, and independent ventures

Location

Los Angeles places study near major music companies, studios, venues, artists, and media businesses

Degree Flexibility

USC courses outside Thornton add business, communication, and technology perspectives

Key Info

Enrollment Term

Fall 2027

University AppApplication

Apply

Common App

Deadline

Regular DecisionDec 1, 2026

First Year Students · admission.usc.edu

Program AppApplication

Fee

$35

Deadline

Application DeadlineDec 1, 2026

Deadlines · music.usc.edu

Submission Requirements

Additional Materials

Career Goals Video

Submit one video recording (not to exceed one (1) minute) in the SlideRoom media section responding to the following prompt: "What will your first job be once you graduate from the Music Industry Program? How will you go about finding and securing this job?"

Introductory Video

Required of all undergraduate applicants: a single-take, unedited, and preferably unscripted 1-2 minute video that offers a brief personal introduction and answers the following question: "How do you envision using your USC Thornton education to become a force for positive change in the evolution of the music profession and music as an art form?"

Music Industry Final Project Video

Required of all undergraduate applicants: a single-take, unedited, and preferably unscripted video of no more than two minutes. In this video applicants must answer the following question: "If you were pitching your Final Project idea today, what is the project you would propose and why?"

Resume

Upload a current resume

The resume is generally 1-2 pages and should focus on education, professional endeavors, extra-curricular activities, and leadership

Transcript

Transfer applicants upload all college transcripts in SlideRoom.

Recommendation

Optional recommendations may be submitted through SlideRoom.

Waiver and Release of Liability Form

Complete and upload the USC Thornton Waiver and Release of Liability Form in SlideRoom.

Statement of Purpose

400–550 words · One statement, 1 guiding question

You are required to submit a Statement of Purpose (400 – 550 words) that communicates your plans and goals related to the pursuit of this program. Why do you wish to pursue the BS in Music Industry degree at USC Thornton? Besides having a passion for music, what makes you an ideal candidate for this program?

Submit in SlideRoom.

Supplemental short essay 1

70 words

Which of the following statements best describes your career goals in the music industry? Briefly explain your choice. • I am primarily focused on building my career/vocation as a professional artist, performer, songwriter or producer. • I am primarily focused on building a career/vocation supporting artists, performers, songwriters, or producers – (other than myself) in business, strategic planning, legal advising, or creative development roles.

Submit in SlideRoom.

Supplemental short essay 2

100–350 words · Choose 1 of 5 prompts

If you were to create a new flavor Oreo for your favorite artist, which artist would you select, and what flavor Oreo would you create?
If you had to sit between two (2) genres on an airplane, what would they be, and what type of passenger are they?
If streaming disappeared tomorrow and you are tasked with advising an up-and-coming artist/band with no major record label support, what is your first move to help them survive?
What would happen if Dolly Parton worked from 10 to 6?
If you were stranded on a deserted island with only enough battery life remaining to listen to one song, which song would you select, and why?

Submit in SlideRoom.

Music Industry Undergraduate · music.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

University Essays

Prescreen essays are listed with the requirements.

Common App personal essay

250–650 words · Choose 1 of 7 prompts · Written once for all your Common App schools

Background, identity, interest, or talent: Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
Facing adversity: The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Challenging an idea: Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Gratitude: Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
Personal growth: Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Intellectual curiosity: Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Topic of your choice: Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

The Common App enforces the length inside the application.

USC short answer

About 250 words

Describe how you plan to pursue your academic interests and why you want to explore them at USC specifically. Please feel free to address your first- and second-choice major selections. (Approximately 250 words)

Quick Takes

The school shows this prompt only after you sign in to Common App.

USC Student Commitment questionOptional

About 250 words

(Optional) The USC Student Commitment charges Trojans to "value honest, open communication and robust debate," and to "champion ideological diversity and embrace freedom of expression." Describe a time when you disagreed with someone you know about something important to you. Did you change your mind or reach common ground? (Approximately 250 words)

Application · Common App Application · Common App Uscs Glossary For First Year Applicants 5b8 · admissionblog.usc.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Thornton permits one first-choice Thornton major.

The program-specific SlideRoom portfolio is opened from the submitted Common Application. Early Decision and Early Action are not available for undergraduate Thornton majors, so first-year applicants select Regular Decision.

Complete both the USC application and the Thornton SlideRoom portfolio by the December 1 deadline.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.86

Admit rate

10%

school-wide

Grad rate

92%

Enrollment

20.4K

Earnings

$92K

10yr after

Costs & aid

Tuition & fees

$77,336

Before aid

Cost of attendance

$103,162

Before aid

Average net price

$32,740

After aid

Cost Of Attendance · financialaid.usc.edu College Scorecard

Training

Music Industry BS combines business, technology, recording, publishing, live music, artist management, entrepreneurship, and the economics of creative work

Coursework examines both established industry systems and emerging digital models

Professional Development

Project-based work prepares students for labels, management, licensing, touring, venues, marketing, and independent ventures

Location

Los Angeles places study near major music companies, studios, venues, artists, and media businesses

Degree Flexibility

USC courses outside Thornton add business, communication, and technology perspectives

Updated 1d ago