How to Apply to Computer Science at Washington State University: Entering the Major by Math Placement After University Admission and Keeping It Through Benchmark Courses, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese (Gaokao), Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Washington State University (WSU), undergraduate computer science is the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science offered by the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) in the Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture. Here is what you need to know, based on WSU’s 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 program

• Accreditation: the BS in Computer Science at the Pullman campus is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
• Areas: the school says the program emphasizes software design and testing, and that students can work with an advisor to choose courses in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science, high performance computing, human-computer interaction, security and software engineering.
• Other degrees in the school: computer engineering, cybersecurity, data analytics, electrical engineering and software engineering. The school says about 85% of its undergraduates are employed or accepted to graduate school at graduation (a school-wide figure, not one for computer science alone).
• Curriculum: the school points to the WSU Catalog for degree requirements and the four-year plan. The catalog page loads through scripts, so this guide has not checked the specific courses and credits; see the catalog.

2. Getting into the major

The Voiland College says students are first admitted to WSU, then admitted to a major if they meet the catalog criteria, and must then complete benchmarks to stay in good standing.

• Incoming first-year and transfer students need one of:
  • an ALEKS math placement score of 83% or higher;
  • WSU enrollment in Math 171, or equivalent credit with a C or higher;
  • an AP Calculus score of 2 or higher (AB or BC), an IB HL score of 5, or a CLEP score of 50.
• Benchmarks to keep the major: a C or better in Math 171, 172 and 216, CptS 121/131, 122/132 and 223/233, and Physics 201, with a cumulative WSU GPA of 2.50 or higher on completing these courses.
• Current WSU students changing into the major need a C or better in Math 171, 172, 216, 273 or 301, CptS 121/131, 122/132, 223/233 and 260, Physics 201, and English 101 or 105, plus a 2.50 cumulative GPA (or transfer GPA if there is no WSU GPA). No further benchmarks apply after admission on this basis.

3. How and when to apply

• Application: the WSU application, the Common App for first-year applicants, or Cialfo if your school is a member. The application fee is $70.
• Tests: the first-year page says WSU does not require SAT/ACT scores and will not use them in admission decisions.
• International admission is rolling. The International Programs deadlines table lists:
  • fall: application by 15 June, all documents by 1 July;
  • spring: application by 15 November, documents by 1 December;
  • summer: application by 15 March, documents by 1 April.
  The timeline further down the same page lists “July: Spring Semester Application Submission Deadline”, which differs from the 15 November in the table. Both are given here; plan for the earlier date and confirm with international admissions.
• US first-year applicants: WSU’s dates page (labelled 2026-2027) gives 31 March as the fall priority date, with later applications accepted as space allows; 31 January is the deadline for the scholarship application and Top Scholar consideration.

4. International first-year requirements

• Schooling: at least 12 years of school, ending in an appropriate secondary certificate or external examination, with preparation in humanities, mathematics, basic sciences and social sciences.
• GPA: a minimum GPA of 2.70 (on a 4.00 scale) for international first-year applicants; WSU’s credential evaluators convert your grades to the US scale.
• A-levels and IB: AS/A-level and IB SL/HL exams may earn transfer credit according to WSU’s Cambridge and IB credit charts.
• English (for traditional admission): IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 4 (as written on the International Programs page), Duolingo 105, PTE 58, or SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing 500 or ACT 17 English and 19 Reading. Scores must be under two years old. Slightly lower scores lead to the Undergraduate Foundation program; for example, IELTS 6.0 corresponds to a one-term foundation program.
• Waivers: three or more years at a US high school or a US regionally accredited international high school; schooling at an English-medium school with an official letter; or citizenship of a listed country such as Canada, the UK or Singapore.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Academic record: apply with your secondary certificate and grades; WSU converts your GPA, and the minimum is 2.70. How the Gaokao total is used is not published.
• English: WSU’s English test table includes Gaokao English. A score of 125 meets the requirement for traditional admission, and 105 corresponds to the foundation program. IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo and others are also accepted.
• Math for the major: enter the major through an ALEKS placement score of 83% after enrolling, or with AP Calculus 2 or higher or IB Math HL 5.
• Documents: transcripts should be in English where possible, otherwise with a translation and the original. WSU reviews unofficial transcripts and requires official ones before you arrive.

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

• English: Canadian citizens are on the list of countries exempt from English testing.
• Admission: you are reviewed under the international first-year requirements, with a minimum GPA of 2.70 converted by WSU. No province-specific score requirements are published; ask international admissions (international@wsu.edu).
• Tests: SAT/ACT are not required.

7. Transfer students

• International transfer students need at least 27 semester credits or one full year at an accredited post-secondary school, with a GPA of at least 2.50. Those transferring from a university abroad are strongly encouraged to submit a Course Equivalency Evaluation Request Form with syllabi in English.
• US transfer students: the admissions page says there are no credit minimums or course requirements to transfer. The fall transfer priority date for automatic awards is 7 August.
• Entering computer science: incoming transfer students use the same admission-to-major criteria as first-year students (section 2) and must then meet the same benchmarks. The Voiland College strongly recommends contacting its transfer coordinator to check how your courses apply.
• English waivers: completing transferable equivalents of English 101 and 102 (3.0 each) at a US institution with 27 semester credits, earning 53 semester credits, or an associate degree with a 2.5 GPA.

8. Costs and scholarships

• Costs: International Programs’ undergraduate estimate for fall and spring (no academic year stated): tuition and fees $33,087, books $900, medical insurance $4,290, living expenses $17,246 and other costs $3,684, for a total of $59,207. Exact figures for a given year are published by the WSU Budget Office.
• International Academic Award, awarded automatically on admission (renewable for 3 more years for first-year students, 2 for transfers):
  • cumulative GPA 3.60 or higher: $4,000 per year tuition waiver;
  • cumulative GPA 3.0 to 3.59: $2,000 per year.
  Renewal requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA and 12 credits each semester.
• Other awards: current international students with a 3.60 GPA and other qualifications can apply for the International Merit Award of $2,000 per semester (from fall 2026 it can be combined with the International Academic Award).

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply through the WSU application or Common App ($70); for fall entry, submit by 15 June (the spring deadline appears two ways, see above)
• A GPA of 2.70 or higher; English through IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 105 or Gaokao English 125
• To enter the major directly: aim for ALEKS 83%, or bring AP Calculus or IB Math HL scores

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

• Canadian citizens are exempt from English testing; international first-year review with a 2.70 GPA; no SAT/ACT required

Transfer students:

• International transfer: 27+ semester credits and a 2.50 GPA; once in the major, complete the benchmark courses with a C or better and a 2.50 cumulative GPA

Sources: Washington State University, Computer Science; EECS undergraduate program; Admission to Voiland College majors; Catalog: BS Computer Science; First-year students; Dates and deadlines; Transfer students; Voiland College transfer students; International undergraduate requirements; International deadlines; International tuition and fees; International scholarships. The international cost page does not state an academic year. Check WSU’s website for the latest.