How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of South Carolina: The B.S.C.S. in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing, Its Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity Concentrations and Program GPA Rules, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of South Carolina (USC, Columbia campus), undergraduate computer science is the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.), offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering in the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing. Here is what you need to know, based on USC’s official websites, 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. The degree and curriculum

• The degree: the department describes it as a degree for students who want to develop large, complex software or study computation. The department also offers Computer Engineering, Computer Information Systems and a Mathematics and Computer Science double major.
• Total credits: the 2026-2027 Academic Bulletin requires 120 credits: Carolina Core 35–41, program requirements 46–55 and major requirements 30–33.
• Mathematics and foundations: Calculus I and II (in the Carolina Core), plus Vector Calculus, Applied Linear Algebra with lab, Discrete Structures, Statistics for Engineers, and Technical or Business Writing.
• Lower-division computing (22 credits): Algorithmic Design I and II, Computing in the Modern World, Digital Logic Design, Introduction to Computer Architecture, UNIX/Linux Fundamentals, Advanced Programming Techniques and Software Engineering.
• Major courses (21 credits): Operating Systems, Programming Language Structures, Data Structures and Algorithms, Foundations of Computation, Introduction to Computer Networks, and the two-semester Capstone Computing Project I and II.
• Concentrations: 9 credits of major electives from any CSCE course numbered 500 or higher, or instead an optional 12-credit concentration in Artificial Intelligence or Cybersecurity.
• Foreign language: the bulletin requires engineering and computing students to show proficiency equivalent to the 121 course, for example by scoring 2 or better on the placement test or taking the courses.
• Accelerated master’s: all of the college’s graduate certificates, master’s and PhD programs are available through the Accelerated Bachelor’s/Graduate Study Plan, with some courses counting toward both degrees. See The Graduate School’s application form for eligibility.

2. Grade and change-of-major rules

• Program GPA: the college requires a Program GPA of 2.00 or better. For Computer Science it covers all lower-division computing, major and major elective courses and CSCE 390. Students who fall below must change major or transfer out of the college.
• Repeats: courses from the college passed with C or better cannot be repeated; no college course may be taken more than twice; and no more than four college courses may be repeated to meet degree requirements. Lower-division computing and major courses must each be passed with C or higher.
• Transferring in as a current student: the bulletin says current USC students need an institutional GPA of 2.50 or better on at least 15 hours earned at USC. Changing majors within the college is done through Student Services.

3. How to apply and deadlines

• Application: the USC Application or the Common App, with a nonrefundable USD 100 fee. You choose a major and may add a second choice; admissions says this gives the highest consideration given the capacity of some majors. Unsure students can choose “Undeclared” in the College of Arts and Sciences.
• International freshman deadlines:
  • Early Action: apply by 15 October, credentials by 1 November, decision by mid-December;
  • Honors College: apply by 15 November, credentials by 1 December, decision by mid-February, with Top Scholar consideration;
  • Regular Decision: apply by 1 December, credentials by 15 January, decision by mid-March.
• Testing: test-optional for fall, spring and summer 2027, including for international freshmen. SAT and ACT are superscored.
• Admitted student profile: the freshman page lists middle 50% ranges for nonresidents of SAT 1250–1380 and ACT 28–33, and a freshman high school GPA of 4.1–4.8. These are university-wide; Computer Science is not listed separately.
• High school courses: the freshman page lists 4 units of English, 4 of mathematics (Algebra I and II, Geometry and a higher-level unit such as Algebra III, pre-calculus, calculus, probability and statistics, discrete mathematics or computer science), 3 of laboratory science and 2 of the same world language, among others; computer science with significant programming content is recommended as an elective.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Documents: official transcripts from all secondary schools, with a certified English translation by a school official if not in English, and a final transcript after graduation; plus the essay, activities and honors.
• Gaokao: USC does not say how Gaokao results are used. Check with international admissions.
• English: TOEFL 77, IELTS 6.5, PTE 53, Duolingo 115, SAT EBRW 560 or ACT English 22. Students below the minimum can seek conditional admission through English Programs for Internationals; there is also a one-year International Accelerator Program.
• A-level, AP and IB credit (examples from the credit page):
  • A-level Mathematics at A, B or C earns credit for MATH 141 and 142;
  • AP Computer Science A with the listed score of 3 earns CSCE 145; AP Calculus BC 3 or higher earns MATH 141 and 142;
  • IB Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) 4 earns MATH 141, and 5–7 earns MATH 141 and 142.

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

• English: Canada is on the English-exempt list; Quebec residents must still submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE.
• Grade requirements: USC does not publish requirements for BC or other provinces. Check with international admissions.
• Other documents and deadlines are the same as for international freshmen.

6. Transfer students

• Engineering and computing: the bulletin says transfer applicants from regionally accredited institutions need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.00 scale to enter the Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing.
• International transfer: the university minimum is a 2.25 cumulative GPA, with higher requirements in some colleges and programs; applicants with fewer than 30 semester hours must also meet freshman requirements. Coursework outside the US needs a course-by-course evaluation with GPA from a NACES member, plus course descriptions.
• Deadlines: spring entry, apply by 1 November with credentials by 15 December; fall entry (majors other than business), apply by 1 July with credentials by 15 July.

7. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 nonresident estimate: tuition USD 38,098, technology fee 400, weighted average program fee 1,580, housing 11,432 and food 5,902, a total of USD 57,412 (excluding books, transport and personal costs). Costs for 2027-28 have not been published. The page is for nonresidents; it does not say separately whether international students pay exactly the same.
• Scholarships: freshmen who apply by 1 December are automatically considered for general merit scholarships; packages for nonresidents range from USD 6,500 to 30,000 a year. The page refers to nonresident freshmen and does not say whether it covers international students; check with admissions.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by 15 October for an early decision or by 1 December for Regular Decision; choose Computer Science, with an optional second choice
• Complete 4 units of high school mathematics; admissions recommends computer science with significant programming content
• English: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 77 or Duolingo 115; SAT/ACT optional
• After enrolling, keep a Program GPA of 2.00 and C or higher in every computing course

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

• No English test outside Quebec; confirm grade requirements with admissions

Transfer students:

• A 2.75 cumulative GPA to enter the engineering and computing college; NACES evaluation for coursework outside the US
• Apply by 1 July for fall entry

Sources: University of South Carolina, Computer Science B.S.C.S.; 2026-2027 Academic Bulletin: Computer Science, B.S.C.S.; Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing regulations; Advisement FAQ; Accelerated master’s; International applicants; Freshman applicants; Test-optional FAQs; A Level, AP and IB credits; International transfer; Tuition and fees estimate; Scholarships for nonresidents. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published; those quoted are 2026-27 estimates. Check the University of South Carolina’s website for the latest.