How to Apply to Computer Science at Kansas State University: the 120-Credit BS in Computer Science (Fall 2026 Requirements), the BS in Cybersecurity and Five-Year BS/MS, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Kansas State University (K-State), undergraduate computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science, which the website places under the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. Here is what you need to know, based on K-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), and transfer students.

1. Degrees and curriculum

• BS in Computer Science: the requirements shown apply from fall 2026 and total 120 credit hours; students who entered before fall 2026 follow the fall 2024 version.
• K-State Core: 34–36 hours across seven areas.
• Math (17–18 hours): Calculus I and II, Discrete Mathematics (MATH 510), Probability and Statistics I (STAT 510), and one math elective such as Calculus III, Differential Equations or Linear Algebra.
• Writing and communication (6 hours): technical writing plus a communications elective.
• Computer science requirements (41 hours): introduction to computing science and programming, programming fundamentals, data and program structures, logical foundations, C/C++ lab, object-oriented design, ethics, computer architecture, software architecture, programming languages, databases, algorithm analysis, introduction to computer engineering, and a capstone.
• Restricted electives (18 hours): one systems elective (operating systems, network programming or concurrent systems), 6 hours of technical electives and 9 hours at the 300 level or above, plus up to 10 unrestricted hours.
• Grades: a C or better is required in prerequisites for all CIS courses.
• Related programs: BS in Cybersecurity (also 120 hours); a computer science–entrepreneurship option; five-year accelerated BS/MS and BS/MBA; for a computer science and mathematics dual major, talk to an advisor.
• Accelerated BS/MS: apply from the second semester of junior year through senior year with at least 80 hours, a 3.00 cumulative GPA and a 3.25 GPA in computer science core courses; up to nine hours count toward both degrees.

2. Getting into the major

• First-year: the admissions table of majors with different requirements says the College of Engineering admits domestic freshmen and transfers selectively based on academic performance and space. It does not say how international freshmen are reviewed or whether computer science has extra requirements; check with apply@k-state.edu.
• Changing into the major: the conditions are not stated on the pages read; ask an engineering advisor.
• Recommended high school courses: Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry and one unit of advanced math, plus a year each of biology, chemistry and physics. These are recommendations, not requirements.

3. Dates and materials (international applicants)

• Application: K-State application or Common App; USD 80 non-refundable fee.
• Priority dates for admission and scholarships: May 1 for fall and December 1 for spring (no year stated).
• Materials: transcripts for all secondary and post-secondary work, with English translations; passport copy; an Affidavit of Financial Support and bank statement for the I-20. Evaluation takes about two weeks.
• Tests: K-State is test-optional, but some freshman scholarships require ACT or SAT; superscores are accepted.

4. English requirements

• K-State says English proficiency is not required for admission, but students must meet the standard before enrolling in courses or take English Language Program classes.
• Scores that waive English classes (within 2 years): IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 79 (before January 21, 2026) or 4.5 (on or after); Duolingo 110; PTE 53; SAT EBRW 460; ACT English 21; Cambridge B2 First grade A or C1 Advanced A–C; AS/A-Level English Language C; IB Group 1 English A at 4 or English B HL at 6.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao results are used, and no grade threshold for international freshmen is published; check with admissions.
• Exam credit: AP, IB and Cambridge A/AS Level credit is accepted; look up equivalencies in K-State’s test credit search.
• English: waive English classes with IELTS, TOEFL and other scores, or take English courses after arrival.

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

• Requirements for BC and other Canadian curricula are not published; apply as an international student.
• The English page does not list an exemption for Canada; use the scores above or the placement test after arrival.

7. Transfer students

• Applicants with 24 or more college credit hours are transfer students and do not need high school transcripts.
• A minimum 2.0 GPA on all transfer work; with fewer than 24 transferable hours, also a 3.25 high school GPA or ACT 21 (SAT 1060).
• No more than 65 hours may transfer from a community college. Engineering admits domestic transfers selectively.
• Scholarship priority dates for transfers and international students are May 1 for fall and December 1 for spring.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 Manhattan campus, non-Kansas resident: tuition and mandatory fees USD 31,446, on-campus housing and food USD 13,216, total on campus USD 48,952. Engineering or computer science fees are not checked here.
• Scholarships: applying for admission triggers automatic review for university scholarships; international students apply in the K-State Scholarship Network (KSN) by March 15. Award amounts are shown in K-State’s scholarship filter and are not listed here.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by May 1 for fall; submit transcripts (with translations) and financial documents
• Prepare IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 79/4.5 to start degree courses directly
• Confirm requirements for international students entering computer science
• Apply in KSN by March 15

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

• Apply as an international student and prepare English scores

Transfer students:

• 2.0 GPA on transfer work; with fewer than 24 hours, high school GPA or ACT also counts

Sources: Kansas State University, Computer Science undergraduate programs; BS in Computer Science requirements (fall 2026); BS in Cybersecurity; Accelerated BS/MS; International undergraduate admissions; International step-by-step guide; Transcripts; English proficiency; Majors with different requirements; Advanced standing credit; Tests and pre-college curriculum; Transfer requirements; Future transfer students; Future student scholarships; Scholarship priority dates; Undergraduate costs. Priority dates do not state a year; costs are 2026-27 estimates. Check K-State’s website for the latest.