How to Apply to Computer Science at Louisiana State University: The Computer Science BS in the College of Engineering, Its Four Concentrations and Second Discipline, and Automatic Entry to Engineering, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Louisiana State University (LSU, Baton Rouge), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Division of Computer Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering. The degree is a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (the requirements page is titled BS in Computer Science & Engineering). Here is what you need to know, based on LSU’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. The degree and curriculum

• Total credits: the 2026-2027 flowcharts show 120 hours. The division also offers a BS in Artificial Intelligence.
• Core courses: Computer Science I and II for Majors, Discrete Structures, Numerical Methods, Advanced Data Structures & Algorithmic Analysis, Ethics in Computing, Object Oriented Design, Computer Organization & Design, Programming Languages, Operating Systems, Software Systems and Introduction to Database Management, plus 3 credits of a 2000-level and 3 credits of a 3000-level CSC course.
• Technical electives: 6 credits, at least 3 from Group A (2000-level and above engineering, science, mathematics, economics, finance and similar courses), the rest from Group A or Group B (listed art, mass communication, music and English courses).
• Mathematics: Analytic Geometry & Calculus I (or honors) and II, Elementary Differential Equations and Linear Algebra, and Engineering Statistics.
• Science: three natural science courses and two labs, one of which must be General Biology I or Biology for Science Majors I, plus a two-course sequence with labs in physics, chemistry, astronomy or geology. Geography and physical science do not count.
• Concentrations: the requirements page lists four, Cloud Computing & Networking, Cybersecurity, Data Science & Analytics and Software Engineering, each with required courses and electives. There is also a Second Discipline option: 15 credit hours in one approved discipline outside computer science, approved by a departmental advisor, with popular choices including economics, mathematics, physics, biology, digital media and ISDS. Each of these five options has a 2026-2027 flowchart.

2. Entering the College of Engineering

• Starting in University College: the engineering FAQ says students in University College (Center for the Freshman Year, Center for Advising and Counseling) with a declared engineering, computer science or construction management major are admitted automatically once they have:
  • 24 or more semester hours of earned credit in courses numbered 1000 or above;
  • LSU and cumulative GPAs of 2.00 or better;
  • a C or better in MATH 1550, MATH 1551, or both MATH 1530 and MATH 1540.
• Process: eligible students are admitted automatically after each semester. Applicants not yet enrolled apply through Undergraduate Admissions and choose the engineering major.
• From other LSU colleges: the college encourages students to meet its Student Services office. The transfer page lists College of Engineering requirements of 24 hours of 1000-level or higher courses, a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a C or better in MATH 1550. These pages cover different groups and give different GPA thresholds (2.00 and 2.5); both are reported here, so confirm with the college.

3. How to apply and deadlines

• Application: LSU uses only the Common App for first-year applicants, with a USD 50 fee. Applications for 2027 entry are open.
• Deadlines (freshman page): priority deadline for scholarships 1 December; regular decision 1 February.
• Deadlines (international page): the page still lists 2025 dates (fall 2025: 15 April 2025; spring 2025: 1 October 2024); 2027 international deadlines have not been published. It also asks for all documents at least 120 days before the semester. Confirm with admissions.
• Review: the freshman page describes a comprehensive review of overall performance, rigor, grade trend, performance in courses related to your intended major and test scores if submitted.
• Testing: the two pages differ. The freshman page says applicants with a weighted GPA below 3.5 must submit ACT or SAT, and those at 3.5 or above may choose; the international page says applicants are strongly encouraged to submit ACT or SAT. Both are reported here.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Grades: international freshmen need the equivalent of a US high school diploma with an academic average equivalent to a B (3.0 or better), excluding physical education, vocational, religion, art and music. Send transcripts in the original language with English translations, sealed by the school.
• Gaokao: LSU does not say how Gaokao results are used. Check with admissions.
• A-levels and IB: students with advanced-level exams or IB higher-level exams should send official certificates, transcripts and syllabi for possible advanced placement credit.
• English: scores for automatic admission are TOEFL paper 550 or internet-based 79, IELTS 6.5 and Duolingo 100; SAT EBRW 500 or ACT English 18 also qualify for an exemption. All admitted international students take an English placement test.

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

• English: the international page requires TOEFL or IELTS from applicants educated outside the US in a country or province where English is not the only official language, and lists as one exemption secondary or tertiary education in a country where English is the primary official language. Canada is not named, so whether BC students are exempt has not been published; check with admissions.
• Grade requirements: LSU does not publish requirements for BC or other provinces.

6. Transfer students

• International transfer: the equivalent of a 3.0 (B average) on transferable credit; applicants with fewer than 30 semester hours must also qualify for freshman admission. Course descriptions or syllabi are required for credit evaluation; ESL, native-language and vocational courses earn no credit.
• With US college work: an overall GPA of at least 2.50 and 30 transferable hours, including college-level English and mathematics.
• Into engineering: see section 2; the transfer page lists 24 hours, a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a C in MATH 1550.

7. Costs

• Fall 2026 and spring 2027, non-Louisiana resident on campus: tuition and fees USD 29,562, food 5,584, housing 10,300, books 1,020, transport 3,336 and personal 6,320, a total of USD 56,122. The page is split by residency and does not say separately whether international students pay the same; this guide has not checked whether engineering or computer science charges extra fees. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published.
• Scholarships: the Common App also serves as the application for LSU merit scholarships, with a 1 December priority deadline; this guide has not checked which scholarships are open to international students.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply on the Common App with Computer Science as your major; submit by 1 December for scholarship priority
• An academic average equivalent to 3.0 or higher; prepare ACT or SAT if your weighted GPA is below 3.5
• IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 79 or Duolingo 100
• After enrolling, earn 24 hours with a 2.00 GPA and a C in a specified mathematics course (such as MATH 1550) to enter engineering automatically

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

• Confirm English exemption and grade requirements with admissions

Transfer students:

• A 3.0 average on international credit; for engineering, 24 hours, a 2.5 GPA and a C in MATH 1550

Sources: Louisiana State University, Computer Science degree requirements; Division of Computer Science and Engineering undergraduate program; Curriculum flowcharts; College of Engineering FAQ (entering the college); Freshman applicants; International students; Transfer applicants; Cost of attendance. Costs for 2027-28 have not been published; those quoted are for fall 2026 and spring 2027. The international page still lists 2025 deadlines. Check LSU’s website for the latest.