USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

What USC Sol Price School of Public Policy does

The USC Sol Price School of Public Policy is an academic unit within the private University of Southern California, founded in 1929 as the School of Government and renamed in 2009 following a naming gift from philanthropist Sol Price. The school delivers undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and executive education programs spanning public policy, urban planning, real estate development, health administration, nonprofit leadership, and public administration, with 25+ distinct degree and certificate offerings across on-campus, online, and Washington D.C.–based formats. Its technical foundation rests on policy analysis methodologies, GIS and urban informatics, data science for public policy, and behavioral science, supported by ten research centers including the Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Lusk Center for Real Estate, CREATE, METRANS, and the Schwarzenegger Institute.

The business model is tuition- and fee-driven, supplemented by executive education, sponsored research, and philanthropic giving routed through the parent university. Students are recruited through a sales-led admissions motion combining information sessions, campus visits, ambassador programs, and structured outreach across social media, email, podcasts, and earned media. The school operates as a platform-plus-modules structure: foundational degree programs anchor the offering, while add-on certificates, dual degrees, progressive bachelor-to-master pathways, and the Price Policy Semester in D.C. layer additional credentials and price points on top.

The school serves a diversified customer base including undergraduate and graduate degree candidates, doctoral researchers, mid-career professionals in executive programs, and partner organizations hosting a 100+ organization internship network. The school has been ranked among the top five U.S. public affairs schools by U.S. News & World Report since 2016, and reports 100% post-graduation placement for BSPP students within one year. Headcount is reported at 1,001–5,000, and the school operates from the Ralph and Goldy Lewis Hall campus in Los Angeles, California.

Name

USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

Legal name

University of Southern California

Website

https://priceschool.usc.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

USC Sol Price School of Public Policy is a top-5 ranked public affairs school within the University of Southern California, offering undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and executive degrees across public policy, urban planning, real estate, health administration, and nonprofit leadership, serving degree candidates, working professionals, and partner organizations in Los Angeles and globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education (Public Policy)

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Policy, Public Administration & Nonprofit Management Schools (within Business Schools) (EDAHAHAK)

Keywords

• Public policy education
• Urban planning programs
• Public administration degrees
• Health administration programs
• Real estate development

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: The school generates revenue primarily through tuition and fees charged to undergraduate and graduate students for its degree programs. This includes both on-campus and online educational programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

USC Sol Price School of Public Policy delivers academic degree programs (undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and executive) in public policy, urban studies and planning, real estate development, public administration, health administration, nonprofit leadership, and international public policy. Programs are offered on-campus in Los Angeles and online, and are supplemented by certificate credentials, dual-degree pathways, a Washington D.C. semester, and executive education for working professionals. Teaching and applied learning are grounded in policy analysis, GIS, urban informatics, and data science methods, using Los Angeles as a living laboratory.

Product overview

USC Sol Price School of Public Policy offers a comprehensive portfolio of academic programs across undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and executive education levels. The institution's core products include undergraduate degrees (BSPP, BSUSP, BRED, BREFD), master's programs (MHA, EMHA, MPA, MPAOL, MPP, MPPDS, MIPM, MNLM, MRED, MUP), doctoral programs (PPM, UPD, DPPD), and certificate programs. The school operates on a platform-plus-modules model where foundational degree programs serve as the core offerings, supplemented by add-on certificate credentials, dual degree options, progressive degree pathways, and specialized programs like the Price Policy Semester in D.C. and executive education programs. The institution ranks among the top 5 public affairs schools nationally per U.S. News & World Report.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor of Science in Public Policy (BSPP) Undergraduate degree preparing students to address pressing social issues through political science and economics coursework with hands-on learning experiences.
• Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning (BSUSP) Undergraduate degree engaging students with urban challenges and developing evidence-based solutions using coursework and experiential learning in Los Angeles.
• Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Development (BRED) Undergraduate degree providing expertise in finance, urban planning, architectural design, and public policy for transforming communities globally.
• Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Finance and Development (BREFD) Joint undergraduate degree with USC Marshall School of Business combining real estate finance and investment with real estate development and urban planning.
• Master of Health Administration (MHA) Graduate degree preparing students for leadership roles in healthcare administration with residency requirements and professional development components.
• Executive Master of Health Administration Online (EMHA) Online executive program for working professionals seeking advanced healthcare administration credentials.
• Master of Public Administration (MPA) Graduate degree with specializations, labs, and dual degree options preparing students for public sector leadership positions.
• Master of Public Administration Online (MPAOL) Online version of the MPA program offering flexible access for working professionals.
• Master of Public Policy (MPP) Graduate degree with specialization electives and policy analysis practicum for data-driven policy development.
• Master of Science in Public Policy Data Science (MPPDS) Graduate program combining public policy with data science methodologies for evidence-based policy analysis.
• Master of International Public Policy and Management (MIPM) Graduate program focusing on international policy development and management skills for global careers.
• Master of Nonprofit Leadership and Management (MNLM) Graduate degree preparing students for leadership positions in nonprofit organizations with focus on philanthropy and public policy.
• Dollinger Master of Real Estate Development (MRED) Graduate degree in real estate development with dual degree options and career services support.
• Master of Urban Planning (MUP) Graduate degree with concentrations in urban planning, social justice focus, data innovation track, and planning studios.
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Management (PPM) Doctoral program preparing scholars for academic and research careers in public policy and management.
• Ph.D. in Urban Planning and Development (UPD) Doctoral program focusing on urban planning research and development scholarship.
• Doctor of Policy, Planning, and Development (DPPD) Professional doctoral degree for experienced practitioners in policy, planning, and development fields.
• Certificate Programs Stand-alone or add-on credentials including Public Management, Political Management, Ambulatory Care, Long-Term Care, Public Policy, Transportation Systems, Transportation Planning, Nonprofit Management, Public Financial Management, Real Estate Development, International Policy and Planning, Sustainable Policy and Planning, Social Justice, City/County Management, Social Innovation, and Homeland Security certificates.
• Dual Degree Programs Combined degree options integrating two fields or allowing concurrent credential earning, including MHA/Gerontology, MPA/JD, MPA/MSW, MPP/MUP, MRED/JD, MUP/MBA, and other interdisciplinary combinations.
• Progressive Degrees Combined bachelor and master's degree programs allowing exceptional students to earn both degrees within five years.
• Executive Education Professional development series including USC SHIELD Executive Program in Global Space and Deterrence, Safe Communities Institute, Global Executive Continuing Education, Ross Program in Real Estate, and Local Governance programs.
• Price Policy Semester in D.C. Special semester-long program in Washington D.C. providing students with policy-in-action experience including internships and curriculum.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% of BSPP students secured employment or pursued graduate degrees within 1 year of graduation (91% knowledge rate)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• USC School of Social WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through the Homelessness Policy Research Institute which collaborates with more than 100 researchers, policymakers, service providers and experts who have experienced homelessness to accelerate equitable and culturally informed solutions to homelessness in L.A. County
• Seoul National UniversitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDual degree program - Master of Public Administration with Seoul National University allowing students to earn credentials from both institutions
• USC Marshall School of BusinesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint degree partnership for Bachelor of Science in Real Estate Finance and Development (BREFD) combining Marshall's strengths in real estate finance and investment with Price's strengths in real estate development and urban planning
• USC Keck School of MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnerships for dual degrees and research collaborations in health policy and management
• USC Sol Price School of Social WorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-hosts the Homelessness Policy Research Institute addressing homelessness challenges in Los Angeles County through research and policy development

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy: Chicago's public policy school offering MPP and MA in public policy with rigorous quantitative methodology focus. Competes with USC Price for analytically-oriented policy applicants and shares top-10 U.S. News public affairs positioning.
• NYU Wagner School of Public Service: NYU's public policy and public administration school offering MUP, MPA, and health policy programs with strong urban focus. Directly comparable to USC Price on urban policy specialization, degree portfolio, and career outcomes positioning in the U.S. News rankings.
• Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy: Georgetown's public policy school offering MPP, MPA, and policy-focused graduate programs with strong Washington D.C. location advantage. Directly comparable to USC Price in degree mix, rankings, and career outcomes orientation, competing for similar mid-career and pre-career policy students.
• George Washington University Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration: GWU's public policy and public administration school offering MPA, MPP, and doctoral programs with strong Washington D.C. location advantage for federal government careers. Directly comparable to USC Price on degree mix and career outcomes orientation.
• University of Michigan Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy: Michigan's public policy school offering MPP, MPA, and PhD programs with strengths in domestic policy and quantitative analysis. Shares the same U.S. News & World Report top-10 ranking tier with USC Price and competes for similar domestic policy applicants.
• UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy: Berkeley's public policy school offering MPP and MPA programs with strengths in social policy, regulation, and environmental policy. A direct competitor to USC Price, particularly on the West Coast, sharing the same category and competing for similar applicant pools.
• Princeton School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA): Princeton's public policy school offering MPA and PhD programs with strong policy analysis and international affairs focus. Directly competes with USC Price on top-ranked public affairs branding and candidates targeting academic policy careers or federal government roles.
• Harvard Kennedy School: Harvard's public policy school offering MPA, MPP, and doctoral degrees with deep government and global policy focus. Directly competes with USC Price for top-tier public policy applicants and shares the same degree-granting mission in the public affairs category where U.S. News & World Report ranks both institutions.

Regional players

• Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health: Johns Hopkins' public health school offering MHA and health policy programs. Comparable to USC Price's MHA and EMHA programs on health administration specialty, with broader public health scope and similar career outcomes orientation in healthcare leadership.

Broad incumbents

• Carnegie Mellon Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy: Carnegie Mellon's school combining public policy with information systems and data analytics. Comparable to USC Price's MPPDS (Public Policy Data Science) offering and broader data-driven policy positioning, competing for technically-oriented policy applicants.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/uscprice
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/uscprice
• Facebookfacebook.com/uscprice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/uscprice
• Instagraminstagram.com/uscprice
• TikToktiktok.com/@uscprice

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about USC Sol Price School of Public Policy