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Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning

Become an Urban Planning Innovator

For the first time in history, half of the world’s population lives in cities. Through rigorous coursework and practical experience, the USC Price School’s Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies and Planning gives you the tools you need to effect real and lasting change in urban environments.

Request Information

Fill out this form to hear from a Price admissions counselor, get invited to webinars for prospective students, and learn more about admissions and financial aid.
















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Request Information

Fill out this form to hear from a Price admissions counselor, get invited to webinars for prospective students, and learn more about admissions and financial aid.




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Your BSUSP degree could prepare you to:

  • Effectively develop sustainable communities
  • Understand the role of the built environment
  • Utilize geographic data in city problem solving
  • Increase opportunities for affordable housing
  • Design healthy neighborhoods and communities
  • Promote environmental sustainability
  • Foster social justice and equity
  • Create thoughtful and effective city planning
  • Work with government, business and community groups to develop solutions to local, regional, national and international problems

Learn about the application process →

Application Deadlines

Early Action Deadline: 11/1/2023
Regular Decision Deadline: 1/15/2024
Transfer Deadline: 2/15/2024
David Sloane

Department Chair, David Sloane

Chair, Department of Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis

Vice Chair, Liz Falletta

Vice Chair, Department of Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis

For admissions information, please email [email protected]

Combine Analytics and Real-World Practice

At USC Price your courses will include a balance of analytical techniques for urban sustainability, methods for stakeholder engagement and practical programming skills. Through it all, you’ll have opportunities to develop and practice your writing, public speaking and communication skills so that you feel empowered to communicate effectively with diverse communities.

Why Study at USC Price?

Our philosophy of teaching and learning balances academic rigor with practical experience, all in the heart of Los Angeles – one of largest, most vibrant cities in the country.

Expert Faculty: Your professors are actively engaged in public policy issues that transcend national boundaries and bring together public, private and nonprofit leaders.

Research Opportunities: Students gain access to exceptional national and international research opportunities such as community-police relations, gentrification, and adolescent health and well-being.

Capstone Project: You’ll be able to work with a local, national or international client on a real-world policy issue and have opportunities to travel to cities like Detroit, New Orleans, and more.

Progressive Degrees: Price School honor students can earn a master’s degree while completing their undergraduate degree within five years.

Interest Exploration: Price School minors are available to USC students in several areas of study including Real Estate Development, Urban Sustainable Planning, and Construction Planning and Management.

Post-Graduation Resources: Graduates join the Trojan network of faculty, alumni and fellow students to help you advance in your career. You’ll also be able to access USC Price’s comprehensive job opportunities database and unique networking opportunities.

“The Price School has provided me with a learning environment that promotes diversity and gives all students an equal voice. The professors of the Price School have created a space of equal and respectful discussion. Through the understanding of different perspectives other than our own, Price students are able to go on and contribute to the world, through the eyes of all people — both oppressed and privileged.”

David Nugroho
BSUSP ’18

Prepare for Graduate Study or Professional Career

USC Price maintains a comprehensive job opportunities database, updated continuously and available to current Price students and alumni.

You will also have unique opportunities to connect with employers locally, nationally, and globally through internships and the capstone experience.

Graduates are well-positioned for immediate employment or competitive graduate programs.

Urban Planning News

Research Centers and Opportunities

Urban Data Lab

Urban Data Lab

Urban Data Lab uses computational data science and spatial analysis to explore urban transportation patterns around the world, critically interrogate how big data reshapes housing affordability, and leverage technology platforms for more just, collaborative city planning.

METRANS logo

METRANS Transportation Center

METRANS’ mission is to solve transportation problems of large metropolitan regions through interdisciplinary research, education and outreach. With three key objectives – to foster independent, high quality research to solve the nation’s transportation problems; train the next generation transportation workforce; and disseminate information, best practices, and technology to the professional community – this partnership between USC and CSULB brings together two large urban universities with complementary strengths.

Pop Dynamics Group

Population Dynamics Research Group

The Population Dynamics Research Group uncovers demographic trends that drive major changes in society, providing insights that lead to effective policies. These population patterns underlie areas like immigration, education, the environment, and urban growth. The Popdynamics team monitors the future using the decennial U.S. Census, the American Community Survey, and our own carefully crafted Demographic Futures projections which incorporate layers of demographic analysis and include greater detail than the census provides.

Wind farm at sunset

USC Center for Sustainability Solutions

The Center for Sustainability Solutions develops policy, technological, and behavioral solutions to the most pressing sustainability problems of the Southern California region and the world.  It brings together scholars and stakeholders from sustainability organizations around the world to collaborate on basic and applied research aimed at making a real-world impact

SLAB logo

Spatial Analysis Lab (SLAB)

Committed to expanding the visualization of public policy and urban planning, the USC Price School launched its Spatial Analysis Lab for research. SLAB’s research experiments with developing alternative cartographies to bring attention to overlooked urban spaces and people. It also critically studies how our visual narratives interface with social institutions and public discourse.

Sol Price Center for Social Innovation

The Sol Price Center for Social Innovation was established with the recent gift to name the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy. This new center aims to advance ideas, strategies, and practices that enhance the quality of life for people in urban communities. The center will provide opportunities for direct student engagement across all of the Price School’s primary disciplines.

Contact Us

Josephine Le

Josephine Le
Program Administrator,
BS in Public Policy, BS in Urban Studies and Planning
RGL 102C
213-740-2172
[email protected]