How to Apply to Computer Science at Iowa State University: No Admission by Major, BS and BA Curricula and the New AI Track, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, with a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Computer Science. The department also runs a Software Engineering degree with Electrical and Computer Engineering, which this guide does not cover. Here is what you need to know, based on Iowa State’s official website, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. Getting into the major

• No admission by major: the apply page says you simply select the major you plan to pursue and that Iowa State does not make admission decisions by major. International applicants are reviewed on high school grades and courses (section 4).
• No programming background needed: the department says the curriculum is designed for students without previous programming experience, though more students now arrive with some.
• BS and BA: the BS is the most common path and is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. The BA gives the same computer science foundation with more room for courses outside the major, suiting double majors, strong minors or a broader education.
• AI track: in May 2026 the department announced an Artificial Intelligence track in both the BS and BA, with at least 16 credits of AI coursework. The 2026-2027 catalog does not list the track yet; check details with the department.
• Learning community: the Computer Science Learning Community lets first-year students take their first programming, math and orientation courses with a small group and a peer mentor, with a residential option.
• Concurrent degree: a BS and MS in Computer Science can be earned in as few as five years; your advisor can help you decide.

2. Curriculum (2026-2027 catalog)

• General: LAS degrees require at least 120 credits, including at least 45 at the 3000/4000 level, plus the LAS world language and career proficiency requirements and university courses in U.S. Cultures and Communities and International Perspectives.
• BS: at least 49 credits in computer science. Required courses are COMS 1010, 1270, 2270, 2280, 3090, 3110, 3210, 3270, 3310, 3420, 3520 and the 4020C senior project, plus at least 15 credits of advanced electives from an approved list (at least 6 at the 4000 level), each with C- or better.
• Other BS requirements: at least 17 credits of math and statistics (Calculus I and II, Discrete Computational Structures, one statistics course and one more math course such as linear algebra, Calculus III, differential equations, combinatorics or graph theory); one two-course lab science sequence (biology, human anatomy and physiology, chemistry, geology or physics); Ethics of Computing and AI, public speaking and writing courses.
• BA: at least 31 credits in computer science: COMS 1010, 1270, 2270, 2280, 3090 and 3110, plus five advanced 3000/4000-level courses (at least one at the 4000 level and at least two from the Software and Hardware Systems list). Math includes Calculus I and II and Discrete Computational Structures, plus one more math course and one statistics course; at least 8 credits of natural science.
• Grades: C- or better in Calculus I, Calculus II and every computer science course counted toward the degree; at least 15 credits of 3000-level or higher computer science must be taken at Iowa State.
• Test-out: exams are offered for COMS 1270, 2270, 2280 and 2300, usually on the Friday before the semester; registration is billed at USD 100.
• Flowcharts: the department posts 2025-2026 BS, BA, Computer Science/Data Science and transfer flowcharts (PDF), which this guide has not checked.
• Outcomes: the department reports that 93% of graduates are employed or occupied within six months, with an average salary of USD 86,000.

3. Dates and materials (international applicants)

• Rolling admission: international applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. You can apply up to one year before your start date, and Iowa State strongly recommends applying at least six to eight weeks ahead for the I-20 and visa. The pages do not state an entry year or a fixed deadline.
• How to apply: Iowa State’s own application or the Common App; the fee is USD 65 and cannot be waived.
• Materials: official high school records (with certified English translations), English test results, a passport copy and a financial statement with bank statement. Essays, recommendation letters and merit certificates are not required; only academic records and test scores are used.
• Financial proof: USD 52,000 for first-year expenses for most majors.

4. Admission requirements (international first-year)

• GPA: equivalent to at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; see the country-specific requirements for conversions.
• Core courses: four years of English (or native language), three years of science with at least two years of lab science in biology, chemistry and/or physics, three years of math including algebra and geometry, and two years of social studies.
• SAT/ACT: not required, but SAT 1200+ or ACT 25+ automatically counts as meeting the 3.0 GPA requirement, which Iowa State notes helps students whose school-leaving results come out late.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao and Chinese grades: country-specific requirements are hosted on a third-party file site, which this guide did not open, so whether the Gaokao is used and how Chinese GPAs are converted is not published on the pages read; ask admissions@iastate.edu.
• A-levels and IB: Iowa State provides credit guides (PDF) for GAC, Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel and AQA A-levels and the IB; this guide has not checked the credit details.
• AP: AP credit is listed separately. AP English Language 3 or AP English Literature 4 meets the English requirement.
• English: TOEFL 71 with 17+ in speaking and writing, or 4.0 with no band below 3.5 on the new scale from 21 January 2026; IELTS 6.0 with all bands 5.5+; Duolingo 105; PTE 48. SAT EBRW 460, ACT English 19, IB English (SL or HL) 5, or IGCSE First Language English D / English as a Second Language C also count. IELTS One Skill Retake and TOEFL MyBest are not accepted.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• Academic requirements: Canadian requirements are also in the country-specific file, so they are not published on the pages read; ask admissions. The general rule is a GPA equivalent to 3.0 and the core courses in section 4.
• English: native English speakers living in a country where English is a primary official language meet the requirement; ask admissions how this applies to Canada.

7. Transfer students

• International transfer: a cumulative GPA of at least 2.25 in all transferable courses; with fewer than 24 transferable credits, high school records are also needed. Holders of a U.S. associate degree may qualify with a 2.0. Financial proof for transfers is USD 56,300.
• Credit evaluation: admissions first determines transferable credit, then your college decides which requirements it meets, usually after arrival. Iowa State says credits from most Chinese institutions are multiplied by 0.70 and rounded up; it does not transfer moral or ethics courses, physical education, or ESL/English composition from countries where English is not the sole official language.
• Computer science credit: evaluated only in the first three weeks of fall and spring. Submit course descriptions, textbooks, syllabi, programming assignments and samples; the course supervisor decides. Prerequisites must be cleared, and transfer courses need a C or higher.
• Timing: transfer admission is also rolling; apply up to a year ahead, ideally at least six months.

8. Costs and scholarships

• Costs (2026-2027 international undergraduate estimate, nine months): tuition and fees USD 33,547, living expenses USD 17,332 (housing, food, books, personal costs and health insurance), total USD 50,879. Iowa State notes this uses the “most majors” tuition rate; some majors cost more, and juniors and seniors in some colleges pay higher rates. Whether this applies to computer science is not published.
• International first-year scholarships: limited and highly competitive, based on SAT/ACT scores and high school grades. The Award of Achievement totals up to USD 40,000 (USD 5,000–10,000 a year) and the Award of Distinction up to USD 16,000 (USD 2,000–4,000 a year), for up to 8 semesters. Apply separately through OneApp: for fall, priority 15 February and final 1 May; renewal needs a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
• International transfer scholarships: Achievement up to USD 20,000 and Distinction up to USD 10,000, for up to 5 semesters.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Choose Computer Science on the application; reach a 3.0-equivalent GPA and complete the English, math, lab science and social studies core
• Meet English with IELTS 6.0 (5.5 bands) or TOEFL 71; SAT 1200 or ACT 25 can satisfy the GPA requirement
• Ask admissions how the Gaokao and Chinese grades are used; apply well ahead and prepare financial proof
• For scholarships, submit the OneApp application by 15 February

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

• Confirm BC requirements and whether the English exemption applies with admissions
• Consider programming test-out exams after enrolling

Transfer students:

• Transferable GPA of at least 2.25; keep syllabi, textbooks and assignments for computer science courses and submit them in the first three weeks
• Take at least 15 credits of 3000-level or higher computer science at Iowa State

Sources: Iowa State University, Computer Science major; 2026-2027 Catalog: Computer Science; AI track; Flowcharts; Prospective transfer students; Test-out and transfer course evaluation; Apply; International first-year requirements; International undergraduate application information; English proficiency; International transfer requirements; International merit scholarships; International undergraduate estimated expenses. The application pages do not state an entry year, and costs are 2026-2027 estimates. Check Iowa State for the latest details.