How to Apply to Computer Science at Clemson University: The School of Computing BS and BA, Two Intended Majors on the Application and a 2.00 GPA to Change Into Computer Science, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Clemson University, computer science is taught in the School of Computing within the College of Engineering, Computing and Applied Sciences. The school offers three undergraduate majors: the BS in Computer Science (BS-CPSC), the BA in Computer Science (BA-CPSC) and the BS in Computer Information Systems (BS-CIS). This guide focuses on the BS and covers fall 2027 entry, based on Clemson’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Getting into computer science

• Choosing on the application: the BS page says first-year and transfer students apply through the standard undergraduate admissions process. Admissions asks applicants to choose two different intended majors and automatically considers the second if the first is not possible; it says choice of major and residency play an important part, and as a public university Clemson gives South Carolina residents priority.
• Moving between the three majors: the school says students unsure which degree fits can start in the BS, and changing to the BA or BS-CIS is generally straightforward during the first year.
• Changing in from another major: changing into Computer Science or Computer Information Systems requires a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher and meeting the Registrar’s requirements; the school strongly encourages meeting an advisor first.
• Caps: on the pages read, computer science is not on Admissions’ list of space-restricted or GPA-restricted transfer majors. Whether first-year admission to the major is capped is not published.

2. Curriculum

• Common core: all three majors share a computing core of programming fundamentals, data structures and algorithms, computer organization, and software development foundations, and differ in the junior and senior years.
• BS: more mathematics, science and advanced computer science, such as advanced computer systems, theoretical computer science, information management, computer security and software engineering, plus linear algebra, statistics and a lab science sequence. BS students also complete a PATH area; examples given are advanced computing systems, data science and artificial intelligence, and interactive systems. See the Clemson catalog for the full course list.
• BA: four semesters of a foreign language and a minor outside computing, with more flexibility in upper-level computer science courses.
• AI: both BS and BA students can choose AI courses among their technical requirements, and BS students can take a Data Science and Artificial Intelligence PATH. The school also offers minors in artificial intelligence, computer science and cybersecurity.
• Writing and speaking: all three majors require advanced writing and oral communication courses.
• Combined bachelor’s/master’s: the degrees page says students with at least 90 hours (junior standing) and a 3.4 GPA can count up to nine graduate credit hours toward both degrees.
• Laptop: Clemson requires all entering students to own a laptop.

3. How and when to apply

• Applications: the Clemson Application, the Coalition Application (Scoir) or the Common App, with no preference; the nonrefundable fee is $70. Personal statements, recommendations and résumés are optional uploads.
• Grades: self-report your high school courses and grades in STARS; admitted students send official transcripts before enrolling.
• First-year dates (the page shows no year; fall entry):
  • applications open 1 August;
  • Early Action: apply by 15 October, materials by 1 November, decisions mid-December;
  • Regular Decision: apply by 1 January (also the scholarship deadline), materials by 10 January, decisions mid-February;
  • 1 May is the final date to apply.
• The international page says the last day to apply with all credentials for fall entry is 1 May, and visa document materials (I-20 or DS-2019) must be received by 1 June; for spring, 1 October and 1 November. Both pages are reported as written; international applicants should apply early under the first-year EA or RD dates and confirm with Admissions.

4. Testing, English and high school courses

• Test optional: applicants are reviewed without SAT/ACT; scores must come from the testing agency, and both tests are superscored. The 2025 first-year profile shows a middle-50% SAT of 1250–1400 and ACT of 28–32; 64,805 applied and 42% were admitted.
• English minimums: TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5 (6.0 in each band) or Duolingo 105; waived where English is the primary or an official language.
• Recommended high school curriculum: 4 years of English, 3 of mathematics, 3 of lab science, 2 of one foreign language, 3 of social science and more. No separate maths or science requirement is published for computer science.
• Gaokao and Canadian curricula: Clemson does not publish how it uses the Gaokao or any grade requirement for BC or other Canadian curricula; contact Admissions.

5. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 non-resident annual estimate (USD): tuition and fees 42,852, housing and food 14,880, books and supplies about 1,576, total 60,308; plus personal/transportation 5,804 and a laptop 2,524.
• Major fees: tuition and fees include average lab fees, and some majors charge enrichment fees of up to $2,500; the School of Computing mentions a program fee for engineering and computing degrees, but the amount for computer science is not given on the pages read.
• International aid: the international page says there are no scholarships for international undergraduates at Clemson. Admitted students must verify funds for their entire studies, and costs are paid at the start of each term. International students also need health insurance of at least $50,000.
• 2027-28 costs have not been published.

6. Transfer students

• Deadlines: 1 December for spring and 1 July for fall; rolling review until space is full.
• Requirements: 30 transferable semester hours after high school (AP, IB and dual-enrollment credit do not count), a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher with 3.0 preferred, freshman-level English, science and mathematics for your intended major, and good standing at your last institution.
• International transfer materials: official transcripts from every college, verified by a US credential evaluation agency (WES or Josef Silny), plus translated course descriptions for credit evaluation. Students who passed English Composition I and II equivalent to ENGL 1030 with a B or better at a US institution are exempt from English tests.
• After admission: transfer students meet a School of Computing advisor at orientation to plan their schedule.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 15 October (EA) or 1 January (RD); international files for fall must be complete by 1 May
• Choose two different intended majors; self-report grades in STARS
• TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5 (6.0 per band) or Duolingo 105; testing optional
• Prepare proof of funds for the whole degree; there are no international undergraduate scholarships

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

• Foreign nationals apply as international students with the same dates
• No Canadian grade requirements are published; confirm with Admissions

Transfer students:

• Fall deadline 1 July; at least 30 transferable credits and a 2.5 GPA (3.0 preferred)
• Complete freshman English, maths and science; have non-US transcripts evaluated by WES or Josef Silny

Sources: Clemson University, School of Computing undergraduate degrees; Computer Science B.S.; Computing advising and change of major; New student information; First-year application and deadlines; International undergraduate applicants; Transfer applicants; College preparation; Admission statistics; Tuition and scholarships 2026-27. Information is for fall 2027 entry (the deadline pages show no year; costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Clemson for the latest details.