Apply for Undergraduate Admission
As a statistics student at USC, you’ll prepare for a rewarding career applying quantitative skills to real-world problems. Our department stands out for its close-knit community feel and caring, supportive faculty.
You can apply to USC’s College of Arts and Sciences through The Office of Undergraduate Admissions, which manages online applications to the university and provides the most comprehensive information on the application process.
The admissions office also provides the latest information on application deadlines and university scholarships for South Carolina residents and nonresidents.
Check out the requirements based on your status, and get started today.
Apply to Graduate School
Pursue your master's or Ph.D. in statistics at USC, and prepare for a career in academia, conducting independent research or leading data analysis in business or industry.
Check out more information about applying for admission.
Application deadline: January 15
Applicants who wish to be considered for financial support should have their applications completed by January 15. Applications received through March 1 will be considered for financial support if early financial offers are declined.
Funding available
Stipends cover tuition and health insurance for graduate assistants. Our department offers up to 10 new teaching assistantships each fall, and all applicants (both Ph.D. and M.S.) are considered.
In addition, USC offers financial aid and competitive fellowships for graduate students.
Frequently Asked Questions
The GRE is strongly recommended for admission to our M.S. and Ph.D. programs. Candidates who apply without GRE scores will only be admitted if their applications are outstanding in all other respects. To bypass the GRE requirement on the application, you must submit a document attesting that you meet at least one of the following conditions for a GRE score waiver in the application:
- A B.S. degree from an accredited university with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.50/4.00
- A master’s degree from an accredited university with a graduate GPA of at least 3.50/4.00.
- A record of peer-reviewed publication in the scientific literature.
Successful applicants typically have at least:
- 160 on the quantitative section.
- 145 on the verbal section.
- 3.0 on the analytical writing portion.
For applicants from countries where English is not an official language, you should take a language proficiency exam. This requirement is waved if you have a degree from an accredited university in a country where English is the primary language.
Successful applicants will take one of the following and score:
- TOEFL iBT ≥ 80
- Duolingo ≥ 115
- IELTS ≥ 6.5
- PTE ≥ 53
Note: If you choose not to provide your test scores when you apply, we will review your application even if it is marked as incomplete in the system.
We usually receive over 100 graduate applications each year, with one-third of applicants seeking admission to the M.S. program and two-thirds to the Ph.D. program. About 15 to 20 students are typically accepted into the program, and of these around seven begin with a teaching assistantship.
You'll be required to submit your transcripts, a resume/curriculum vitae and a personal statement, which you should send directly to the Graduate School via the online application system. See additional requirements through the Graduate School. We require grades of B or better in college-level calculus and linear algebra.
Note: It is fine to use unofficial transcripts in your application. Once you are admitted, you will need to submit official transcripts to the Graduate School.
The application fee was waived for the 2024-2025 Admission Cycle (see the announcement). Check with the Graduate School for any fees associated with the upcoming application cycle.
APPLY BY JANUARY 15
The Graduate School coordinates online applications to our master's and doctoral programs. Review the degree requirements before you apply.
Reach out to our Graduate Director at grad_dir@stat.sc.edu with any questions.