How to Apply to Computer Science at Wayne State University: The Pre-Professional Path into the B.S. in Computer Science, the 3.0 GPA and Math Placement Requirements, and Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Wayne State University (WSU), in Detroit, offers undergraduate computer science as the B.S. in Computer Science in the Department of Computer Science, James and Patricia Anderson College of Engineering. The program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. Here is what you need to know, based on Wayne State’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. Getting into the major

• Engineering admission rules apply: the bulletin says admission to the B.S. requires meeting the admission criteria of the Division of Engineering. Engineering undergraduates move through three phases: the Eos Program, the pre-professional program and the professional program.
• Pre-professional program: students entering from high school are admitted to the pre-professional program with at least a 3.0 overall GPA and placement into MAT 1800 or higher (a Math ACT of 26 or a Math SAT of 620). Students who need more math and science background enter the Eos Program and move up after completing a set of foundational courses. The bulletin says most students go through the pre-professional program, and exceptional students may be admitted directly to the professional program.
• Professional program: students must complete the pre-professional courses with no grade below C-minus and a pre-professional GPA of at least 2.5; only professional-program students may take 3000- and 4000-level engineering courses. The common pre-professional courses are Calculus I–III, engineering design, chemistry (CHM 1125/1130), programming (BE 1500 or BE 1600), college writing (ENG 1020) and University Physics I and II, and most departments add one or more 2000-level courses. The Computer Science degree requirements do not list chemistry; ask a departmental advisor whether the chemistry pre-professional course applies to computer science.
• Placement exams: all entering freshmen take placement exams in mathematics, chemistry and English and must have results before attending engineering orientation.
• Test scores, two statements: the department page says SAT and ACT scores are optional, and the college page describes test-optional applications; the bulletin says engineering admission from high school depends on high school GPA and ACT or SAT scores, and measures the math condition for the pre-professional program by Math ACT/SAT or placement results. Test-optional applicants show math readiness through placement exams; confirm the details with the college.
• Grade rules: CSC 1100, 1500, 2110 and 2200 require a C or better; failing to reach C-minus (or C for those four courses) after three attempts can lead to exclusion from the college. A cumulative GPA below 2.0 leads to academic probation.

2. Curriculum (bulletin)

• Total: 120 credits, including 98 credits in computer science, mathematics, engineering, physics and technical communication, plus 22 credits of general education.
• Mathematics (15 credits): Calculus I, II and III and Elementary Linear Algebra.
• Basic engineering (9 credits): Design in Engineering, Introduction to Programming and Computation: Python, and Probability and Statistics in Engineering.
• Computer science (59 credits): Problem Solving and Programming, Fundamental Structures, Computer Science I and II, Ethics, Java Programming, Computer Architecture and Organization, Algorithm Design and Analysis, Software Engineering, Operating Systems, Theoretical Computer Science, Database Management Systems and the Senior Capstone Project, plus four additional courses at 3000 level or above (12 credits). At least 28 computer science credits must be earned at Wayne State.
• Other requirements (15 credits): two technical communication courses, University Physics I and II, and one physics lab.
• Co-op: students can gain paid work experience through the college’s co-op program, registering in the zero-credit BE 3500.
• AGRADE (B.S./M.S.): students may petition no earlier than the semester in which they will complete 90 credits, with an overall GPA of 3.3 and a 3.45 GPA in completed major courses; up to 16 credits count toward both degrees, typically finished in five years of full-time study.
• Other undergraduate options in the department: a B.S. in Information Technology and minors in computer science and cybersecurity.

3. Dates and materials (international applicants)

• Deadlines (no entry year stated): fall (September–December) August 1, winter (January–April) December 1, spring/summer (May–August) April 1. The department page gives the same dates.
• Materials: the online application and a $25 fee; original transcripts in the native language plus English translations by an accredited evaluation agency; course descriptions; a signed statement of financial support with a bank statement (no older than six months); and proof of citizenship such as a passport.
• Tests: submit an SAT or ACT score, or use the test-optional route with one essay and an activities list (a letter of recommendation is optional).
• After admission: a $50 enrollment deposit secures your place and is nonrefundable after May 1 for first-year students.

4. English requirements (international applicants)

• TOEFL iBT: 79 for tests taken before January 21, 2026, and 4.5 on the new scale for tests on or after that date; TOEFL super scores are not accepted.
• Other tests: IELTS 6.5, Michigan English Test (MET) 64 or Duolingo 110; scores must be no more than two years old.
• Exemptions: native English speakers and students who completed all secondary or postsecondary education in the U.S., Canada or another English-speaking country are exempt. The exemption list says Canada except Nunavut and Quebec; the FAQ on the same page lists Canada without exceptions. Both are given here.
• Students who complete the highest level of Wayne State’s English Language Institute also meet the requirement.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: Wayne State does not say how Gaokao results are used or what score is needed; ask Undergraduate Admissions (OneStop@wayne.edu).
• High school record: international applicants are reviewed individually on high school performance, curriculum rigor, English and test scores or test-optional materials; the engineering pre-professional program requires a 3.0 high school GPA and math placement.
• A-levels, IB and AP: the pages read for this guide do not give requirements or credit policies for these curricula.
• You also need to meet the English requirements in section 4.

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

• Canadian applicants (citizens or permanent residents) have separate requirements: a cumulative average of at least 68 percent.
• 62 to 67.5 percent: submit an SAT of 990 or an ACT of 21 through the test-considered pathway, or one essay and an activities list through the test-optional pathway.
• Scholarships: the Canadian page says all documents must arrive by April 1 for merit scholarship consideration.
• English: see section 4; under the exemption list, students from Canada (except Nunavut and Quebec) are exempt.
• No separate BC curriculum requirements are given; engineering students also need the 3.0 GPA and math placement conditions in section 1.

7. Transfer students

• University requirements: international transfer applicants need a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 and must meet the English requirements; Canadian transfer applicants need a 2.5 GPA and at least 24 transferable credits, or are reviewed on first-year criteria.
• Engineering pre-professional program: students with at least 12 college credits need a 3.0 overall GPA and placement into, or transfer equivalents of, MAT 1800 and ENG 1020; those with fewer than 12 credits also submit high school transcripts and ACT or SAT results.
• Credit: the department page says students can transfer unlimited credits as long as at least 30 are earned at Wayne State, and computer science requires at least 28 credits of CSC coursework there. No grade below C may be transferred into the college to meet a degree requirement.
• Transfer students should consult a departmental undergraduate advisor before transferring; course equivalency is decided by the Transfer Credit Evaluation Unit with the department.

8. Costs and scholarships

• Tuition (effective fall 2026, College of Engineering, out-of-state, flat rate for 12–18 credits a semester): lower division (0–55 completed credits) $16,658.77 a semester, upper division (56 credits and above) $20,039.73 a semester. A registration fee is charged each semester, plus a one-time $250 matriculation fee.
• Other estimated costs (2026–2027, first-year student, fall and winter): books $1,370, housing and food $12,268, transportation $1,846 and personal expenses $2,538.
• Scholarships: U.S. citizenship is not required, and all incoming students are considered for merit scholarships; international first-year students are eligible for the Warrior, Gold and Green Awards (amounts not checked for this guide). The international checklist says to submit all documents by December 1 for merit consideration, while the first-year scholarship page gives a final deadline of April 1, 2027. Both are given here.
• Students on F-1 visas are not eligible for U.S. federal financial aid.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Aim for a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher; if using tests to show math readiness, a Math SAT of 620 or Math ACT of 26
• Submit all materials by August 1 for fall, or by December 1 for scholarship consideration
• IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 4.5 (new scale) or Duolingo 110; original transcripts with certified English translations and proof of funding
• Take math, chemistry and English placement exams; complete the pre-professional courses with no grade below C-minus and a 2.5 GPA

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

• A cumulative average of at least 68 percent; at 62–67.5 percent, add an SAT of 990 or ACT of 21, or an essay and activities list
• Submit everything by April 1 for scholarships; engineering also needs a 3.0 GPA and math placement

Transfer students:

• A cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher; 3.0 with MAT 1800 and ENG 1020 placement or credit for the engineering pre-professional program
• Earn at least 30 credits at Wayne State, including at least 28 credits of computer science

Sources: Wayne State University, B.S. in Computer Science; Computer Science academics; Bulletin: Computer Science B.S.; Bulletin: engineering admission and pre-professional program; International checklist and deadlines; English proficiency; Canadian applicants; International paying for college; Tuition and fee charts (fall 2026); Tuition and estimated expenses; International scholarships; First-year scholarships. The deadline pages do not state an entry year, and tuition is the rate effective fall 2026. Check Wayne State’s website for the latest.