How to Apply to Computer Science at Indiana University Bloomington: Direct Admission to the Luddy School by Listing Computer Science, the B.S. with Eight Specializations and the B.A., and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

Indiana University Bloomington (IU) offers two undergraduate computer science degrees: the B.S. in Computer Science in the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering, and the B.A. in Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on IU’s official website, for students at high schools in China (including A-level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students) and transfer students.

1. How you get into computer science

• Direct admission: IU’s admission paths page says students admitted to IU Bloomington who indicate a major in the Luddy School or the College of Arts and Sciences are directly admitted to that school from the start of their freshman year, with a school academic advisor. Luddy’s admissions page likewise says you start by applying to IU and selecting a Luddy major.
• Two degrees, two schools: Luddy’s transfer page notes that the B.A. in Computer Science is offered through the College of Arts and Sciences, not Luddy. For the B.S., choose Luddy’s B.S. in Computer Science.
• Adding or switching later: the Luddy bulletin says any student admitted to IU Bloomington as a degree-seeking undergraduate may pursue a Luddy degree, apart from a few exceptions such as students in dismissal status. Current students should start by meeting a Luddy academic advisor.
• School fee: undergraduates admitted to Luddy (through admission, certification or change of school) pay a program fee; Luddy’s cost page does not give the amount, so use IU’s tuition estimator.
• Start terms: the B.S. can start in fall or spring.

2. The B.S. in Computer Science (Luddy School)

From the 2026-2027 Luddy bulletin:

• Core: one introductory programming option (CSCI-C 200, or CSCI-C 211, or both CSCI-A 201 and A 202); CSCI-C 212 Introduction to Software Systems; CSCI-C 241 Discrete Structures; CSCI-C 343 Data Structures; CSCI-Y 395 Career Development.
• Major hours: 45 hours including the core and specialization, at least 26 of them at the 300 level or above, with the rest from approved CSCI courses and a few data science, informatics and mathematics courses.
• Mathematics: MATH-M 211 Calculus I (or equivalent proficiency), plus two courses from an approved list including Calculus II, 300- and 400-level mathematics and statistical inference.
• Natural science: 12 credit hours, which cannot double count with mathematics, the major or the specialization; Luddy courses do not count.
• Grades: a major GPA of at least 2.0 (all attempts count), C- or higher in each major course, and at least 12 major hours completed on the Bloomington campus.
• Eight specializations (one required, chosen with an advisor before the junior year, C- or higher in each course): Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Foundations, Game Development, Programming Languages, Security, Software Engineering and Systems.
• Honors: in addition to the B.S. requirements, an overall and major GPA of 3.3 or higher, at least 11 hours of CSCI honors courses, and at least 29 of the 45 major hours at the 300 level or above.
• Five-year B.S./M.S.: B.S. students can apply to the accelerated M.S. in Computer Science or M.S. in Secure Computing.
• Outcomes: the department reports that 96% of graduates are in full-time employment or graduate school, with an average starting salary of US$85,996.

3. The B.A. in Computer Science (College of Arts and Sciences)

From the 2026-27 College bulletin:

• Hours: at least 30 credit hours in the major (39 with the addenda requirements).
• Core: an introductory course (CSCI-C 200 or C 211), CSCI-C 212, CSCI-C 241 and CSCI-C 343.
• Advanced electives: 15 credit hours from 300- and 400-level CSCI courses and a few listed mathematics and informatics courses.
• Addenda mathematics: one mathematical foundations course (such as MATH-M 118 Finite Mathematics or MATH-M 211 Calculus I) plus one mathematical science elective.

4. Deadlines and decisions

• Early action (non-binding): complete by 1 November for a decision by 15 January; this is also the IU scholarship deadline, and the international page notes it is the direct admission deadline for some schools. Luddy recommends applying by 1 November for fall entry.
• Regular decision: complete by 1 February for a decision by 15 March; 1 February is also the Global Engagement Scholarship deadline.
• Applications after 1 February are reviewed case by case as space allows. Outcomes can be an offer, a request for more information, an invitation to transfer or a waitlist place.
• Admitted students confirm and pay a US$100 non-refundable deposit (credited to first-semester tuition) by 1 May.
• Spring entry: international freshmen starting in January apply by 15 September.

5. Academics, testing and English

• Preparation: at least 34 semesters of college-preparatory courses, including 8 in English or your native language, 7 in math, 6 in social sciences, 6 in sciences (at least 4 lab sciences) and 4 in another language. IU says its students have the equivalent of a B average or higher in secondary school.
• Transcripts:
  • China (national curriculum): Grade 10 and 11 transcripts in the original language bearing the school’s original seal at application, then the graduation certificate;
  • British Columbia: the Grade 10 and 11 transcript at application, then the BC High School Diploma; Canadian schools must send records directly to IU.
• Test optional: you choose whether SAT, ACT or CLT scores are considered. Luddy welcomes test-optional students, though IU prefers students to share available scores, which it says may strengthen an application.
• English minimums for admission (within two years):
  • TOEFL iBT 79 (including Home Edition), TOEFL ITP+ China 543, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115, Cambridge 176, PTE 53;
  • SAT EBRW 560 or ACT English 21; IB HL English A 4+, AP English 3+, or A-Level First-language English A–C;
  • Canadian citizens, or students with three full years of secondary school in Canada, are on the English-speaking list and exempt.
• English for starting classes: after admission, students must meet a higher level (for example TOEFL 100, IELTS 7.5, Duolingo 130), or meet other criteria such as English composition credit or three years of secondary school in an English-speaking country, or they may need additional English study.
• IU publishes no Gaokao policy and no BC grade requirement.

6. Costs, scholarships and funding

• Estimated nine-month cost for international undergraduates (US$, as currently published; the page gives no year): tuition and mandatory fees 44,339, housing and food 12,431, mandatory health insurance 1,916, miscellaneous 2,470, total 61,156. IU charges flat tuition covering up to 40 credit hours across fall, spring and intersessions. The Luddy program fee is extra; its amount is not published on the pages read.
• Scholarships:
  • complete applications by 1 November are considered for IU merit scholarships;
  • international students with complete applications by 1 February are considered for international merit scholarships with no separate application;
  • Luddy offers renewable scholarships for select incoming freshmen: apply to IU by 1 November and submit the IU Scholarship Application by 1 February;
  • for students from China, the C.V. Starr Foundation Scholarship supports first-year undergraduates who are Chinese citizens, and the Irving and Lena Lo Scholarship supports students from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
• Loans: international students are not eligible for US federal student loans. In their final year they may apply for the IU Miller Loan, up to $5,000 a semester and $10,000 in total.

7. Transfer students

• Priority dates: 1 June for fall, 1 November for spring and 1 March for summer; later applications are considered as space allows.
• GPA: a minimum cumulative college GPA of 2.5; IU says few students are admitted below 2.5 and no GPA guarantees admission.
• Less than a year of college: applicants with fewer than the equivalent of 26 US semester hours (39 quarter hours) must also meet freshman standards.
• Testing: SAT, ACT and CLT are not considered for transfers.
• Choosing the major: Luddy reminds transfer applicants to select one of its bachelor’s degrees, including Computer Science; international students from another university apply through the Office of International Services.
• Credit: only courses with a C or higher transfer; transfer credit counts toward the degree but not the IU GPA. Luddy says computer science courses from other institutions may count as undistributed credit, so check with an advisor how they apply. English language or writing courses taken in non-Anglophone countries generally earn no credit.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Select Luddy’s B.S. in Computer Science on the application (or the College for the B.A.); complete by 1 November for early action and scholarships, and by 1 February at the latest
• Submit Grade 10 and 11 transcripts with the school’s seal, then the graduation certificate
• English: TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 115 or TOEFL ITP+ China 543 or higher; decide whether to submit SAT/ACT
• Prepare to meet the higher English level before classes start

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; Grade 10 and 11 transcripts sent directly by your school
• Canadian citizens or students with three years of secondary school in Canada are exempt from English tests

Transfer students:

• Apply by 1 June for fall with a college GPA of at least 2.5, selecting Luddy’s Computer Science
• With less than a year of college, also prepare freshman materials; confirm with an advisor how your computing courses apply

Sources: Indiana University Bloomington, Luddy B.S. in Computer Science; 2026-2027 Luddy Bulletin: B.S. in Computer Science requirements; Computer Science specializations; Luddy admission policy; 2026-27 College Bulletin: B.A. in Computer Science; Luddy undergraduate admissions; Luddy transfer applicants; Luddy cost and financial aid; Admission paths; International application deadlines; International freshman admission standards; International transcripts; English proficiency; Test-optional policy; International transfer standards; International undergraduate costs; International scholarships. The cost page does not state an academic year; check IU’s website for the latest.