How to Apply to Computer Science at Utah State University: Pre-Professional Program, Professional Program Admission and Curriculum for the BS in Computer Science in the School of Computing, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Utah State University (USU), undergraduate computer science is the BS in Computer Science offered by the School of Computing in the College of Engineering. International students on an F-1 visa studying for a bachelor’s degree must study on the Logan main campus, with most classes each semester face-to-face. Here is what you need to know, based on USU’s website, for students at high schools in China (including A-level and IB students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver students), and transfer students.

1. The degree and curriculum

• Credits: the pages we read do not clearly label the total degree credits or program credits; check the BS Computer Science page in the 2026-2027 catalog (catalog.usu.edu). The catalog advises checking the math requirement with an advisor.
• Pre-professional courses (26 credits): Introduction to Computer Science CS 1 and CS 2, Software Engineering Fundamentals, Introduction to Event Driven Programming and GUIs, Algorithms and Data Structures (CS 3), Developing Dynamic, Database-Driven Web Applications, plus Calculus I (MATH 1210) and Discrete Mathematics (MATH 3310).
• Required courses (19–20 credits): Computer Systems Organization and Architecture I, Operating Systems and Concurrency, Introduction to Software Engineering, one of Programming Languages or Compiler Construction, one of Theory of Computability or Advanced Algorithms, and one further course listed in the catalog.
• Electives: 6 credits of CS 3XXX/4XXX, and at least 16 credits of CS 5XXX, including at least one 4-credit course and at least one TEAMWORK course.
• Math and statistics: Statistics for Scientists (STAT 3000), plus two courses from options including Calculus II, multivariable calculus and linear algebra.
• Science: 6–8 credits from listed biology, chemistry, geology and physics courses.
• Grades: a C- or better in all CS major courses.
• Preparing in high school: the College of Engineering lists AP Calculus AB/BC, AP Chemistry, AP Physics C (Mechanics; Electricity and Magnetism) and AP English Language, plus several breadth courses.

2. Getting into the major

• Pre-Professional Program:
  • new first-year students admitted to USU in Good Standing are eligible;
  • new first-year students with Earned Admission are eligible with a minimum 2.5 high school GPA.
• Staying in the Pre-Professional Program: good academic standing in the university and college, a 2.5 GPA in pre-professional courses, a 2.0 USU GPA, a C- or better in all pre-professional courses, and no more than 3 repeats in total (multiple repeats of the same course all count).
• Admission to the Professional Program: complete the pre-professional courses and meet the same conditions (2.5 pre-professional GPA, C- or better, no more than 3 repeats, 2.0 USU GPA).
• In the Professional Program: to stay in good standing and graduate, keep a 2.5 GPA in CS major courses (any class fulfilling a CS major requirement, regardless of subject), a 2.0 USU GPA, and a C- or better in all major courses.
• Admitted and current students must meet with an advisor.

3. Dates and materials

• International undergraduate deadlines: fall priority application March 1 and priority enrollment deposit April 1; spring priority application October 1 and priority deposit November 1. Applications and materials received after the deadline may be processed for the next semester; a final international deadline is not published.
• Fees: a USD 50 nonrefundable application fee, with no waivers for international undergraduates; after admission, a USD 200 enrollment deposit is required before the I-20 process, housing and registration.
• Transcripts: official transcripts showing all courses and marks from the last three years of high school, with certified English translations; the minimum GPA for international applicants is 2.7, and some majors require more. Submit supplemental items 10–14 business days before the deadline.
• Tests: USU is test optional; the international FAQ says official ACT or SAT results are not required for Engineering or Computer Science majors.
• Proof of funding: after admission, submit the Affidavit of Financial Support and bank statements showing one year of funds (see section 7).

4. English proficiency

• Tests (no older than two years; one is enough): TOEFL iBT 71 (4.0 for tests from January 21, 2026), IELTS Academic 6.0 with at least 5.0 in each band, Duolingo 105, MET 52, Cambridge B2 First / C1 Advanced / C2 Proficiency 169, SAT EBRW 500, or ACT English 18.
• Education: at least three years of high school completed in English with English courses (excluding ESL), or at least 24 credits of English-taught coursework at an accredited U.S. college.
• Applicants who believe they already demonstrate proficiency can submit an English Language Proficiency Appeal form after applying.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Records: official transcripts for the last three years of high school, in Chinese and English, with a minimum 2.7 GPA.
• Gaokao: USU does not say how Gaokao results are used; ask International Undergraduate Admissions (usuintl@usu.edu).
• A-levels, IB: no specific requirements are published.
• AP: the College of Engineering recommends AP Calculus, Chemistry, Physics C and English Language; AP credit rules were not checked for this guide.
• You must also meet the English requirement; SAT/ACT is not required.

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

• English: at least three years of high school completed in English with English courses meets the requirement.
• Grades: BC grade requirements are not published; applications are reviewed against the 2.7 minimum GPA for international applicants, so ask admissions how BC grades are converted.
• Materials and deadlines are the same as for other international undergraduates.

7. Transfer students

• University requirements: international applicants submit official transcripts from all accredited institutions attended in and outside the U.S., with a minimum 2.7 GPA (some majors higher); with at least 24 credits of English-taught coursework (excluding ESL) at an accredited U.S. institution, high school transcripts are not needed. In-progress coursework is not considered.
• Entering the CS Pre-Professional Program: transfer students from other institutions or other USU majors need a 2.5 overall GPA and a 2.5 USU GPA (if applicable), and must show completion of course prerequisites.
• If you have taken pre-professional courses: a C- or better in each, a 2.5 GPA in those courses, and no more than 3 repeats in total.

8. Costs and scholarships

• Estimate for fall 2026 and spring 2027 (Logan international undergraduates, 12–18 credits a semester, nine months): tuition and fees about USD 29,222, international student fee USD 250, living expenses USD 8,148 and personal expenses USD 8,442, for a total of about USD 46,062. This total is the one-year funding you must show for the I-20.
• College of Engineering differential tuition: engineering courses carry a per-credit charge; for 2025-2026, USD 2.09 per credit for lower-division and USD 50.32 for upper-division courses.
• Afton B. Tew International Student Scholarship: new freshmen and transfer applicants with an evaluated GPA of at least 3.85 are considered automatically; USD 1,000 a year for up to four years, with all materials by the deadline.
• Other: the Kim Nam Kyun Scholarship (USD 2,000 a year, apply after admission), plus USU general and departmental scholarships. USU says it does not offer full-ride scholarships to international students.
• Costs for 2027-2028 have not been published.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by March 1 for fall and pay the USD 200 deposit by April 1; the application fee is USD 50
• Prepare three years of transcripts in Chinese and English with at least a 2.7 GPA; submit TOEFL 4.0 (new scale), IELTS 6.0 (5.0 in each band) or Duolingo 105
• After enrolling, earn a C- or better in each pre-professional course, a 2.5 GPA, and no more than 3 repeats in total

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

• Three years of high school in English meets the English requirement; ask admissions how BC grades are converted

Transfer students:

• A 2.7 minimum GPA for USU; a 2.5 overall GPA and C- or better in any pre-professional courses for the CS Pre-Professional Program

Sources: Utah State University, Computer Science (College of Engineering); BS in Computer Science (2026-2027 catalog); College of Engineering differential tuition; Admissions requirements and deadlines; International undergraduate admissions; International undergraduate English requirements; International undergraduate costs and scholarships; International undergraduate FAQ. The curriculum is based on the 2026-2027 catalog. Check USU’s website for the latest.