How to Apply to Computer Science at the University of Idaho: the 120-Credit B.S.C.S. in the College of Engineering (2026-2027 Catalog), Grade Requirements for 2000-Level Courses and Two Campuses, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At the University of Idaho (U of I), the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (B.S.C.S.) is offered in the College of Engineering, and the accreditation page says it is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. Here is what you need to know, based on U of I’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. Degree and curriculum

• Length: four years, 120 credits, at the main campus in Moscow or at Coeur d'Alene. Students who start in Coeur d'Alene take lower-division courses at North Idaho College, then move to U of I Coeur d'Alene for upper-division work.
• Related degrees: the department also offers a BS in Artificial Intelligence and a BS in Cybersecurity.
• Major requirements (2026-2027 catalog, 89 credits):
  • Communications: Fundamentals of Oral Communication; Technical Writing I or II.
  • First year: Computer Science I (CS 1120), Computer Science II (CS 1121), Computer Organization and Architecture (CS 1550).
  • Second year: Programming Languages, Computer Operating Systems, System Software, Secure Coding and Analysis (CYB 2200).
  • Third year: Database Systems, Software Engineering, Theory of Computation, Analysis of Algorithms.
  • Fourth year: Compiler Design; CS Senior Capstone Design I and II.
  • 12 credits of upper-division technical electives from 3000- and 4000-level CS or CYB courses, excluding listed internship, independent study and similar courses.
  • Math: Calculus I and II, Discrete Mathematics, Linear Algebra; one statistics course (Probability and Statistics or Statistical Methods).
  • Science: two lab courses for science and engineering majors from two different disciplines (8 credits), such as biology, chemistry, physics or geology.
• Credits: prerequisites needed before Calculus I do not count toward the 120. The catalog’s degree map starts with Computer Science I and precalculus (algebra and trigonometry) in the first term.
• Grades to graduate: C or better in Computer Science I and II, Computer Organization and Architecture, Programming Languages, Operating Systems, System Software, Calculus I and II, and Discrete Mathematics.
• Advising: first-year students work with professional advisors, then move to a faculty advisor.

2. Getting into the major

• First-year students: the degree finder says first-year students can start the degree at either campus. The pages read do not mention a separate application to the major or a cap on enrollment.
• Admission deficiencies: the College of Engineering catalog says a student may be admitted with less than the listed requirements, but the deficiency must be made up before progressing in an engineering course of study.
• 2000-level courses: C or better in Computer Science I and II, Computer Organization and Architecture, and Discrete Mathematics is required before registering for 2000-level CS courses.
• Upper-division courses: engineering students must complete selected first- and second-year chemistry, computer science, engineering, math and physics courses with C or better before taking upper-division engineering courses.
• Changing majors: the conditions for switching into computer science are not stated on the pages read; ask Engineering Student Services at engr@uidaho.edu.

3. Dates and materials (international first-year applicants)

• Application: U of I’s own application; the first-year admission page also links to the Common App.
• Fee: USD 50, paid by card in the application portal.
• Academic requirement: a 2.5 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale (converted by Admissions), plus meeting the criteria for university study in your home country.
• Deadlines: admission is rolling, and applying at least three months ahead is recommended. The last days to apply are May 1 for fall (August), October 1 for spring and March 1 for summer.
• Financial documents: a signed Certificate of Financial Responsibility, a bank statement or letter from the student or sponsor, and a passport copy.
• Tests: the international page does not mention SAT or ACT requirements.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL 70 (before January 21, 2026) or 4.0 (after); Duolingo 100; IELTS 6.0; PTE Academic 48; SAT EBRW 550; a pass in Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency; a pass in Cambridge International O Levels. Tests must be within two years of the term applied for.
• Applicants with a degree from an accredited U.S. institution are exempt; Admissions may waive the requirement for students who passed English classes at U.S. institutions.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao results are used; check with the International Programs Office at ipo@uidaho.edu.
• Exam credit: IB, A-Level, GAC, AP and CLEP can earn credit; see the registrar’s pages for equivalencies.
• GPA: 2.5 for admission and 3.0 for Invitation to Idaho, both converted by Admissions to a 4.0 scale.

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 with the same 2.5 GPA requirement.
• English: Canada is on the list of countries eligible for a waiver request, with an official school letter confirming English-medium instruction for all of secondary school.

7. Transfer students

• Applicants with more than 14 transferable credits after high school need a 2.0 GPA on all transferable work. For transfers from out-of-state institutions into any College of Engineering program, the international admissions page requires a 2.80 GPA, while the College of Engineering catalog says applicants below 2.8 may be admitted with approval of its Admissions Committee. Both statements are listed here.
• Applicants with fewer than 14 transferable credits must also meet first-year requirements.
• Transfers with 13 or fewer credits contact Engineering Student Services; those with more than 13 contact the department.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 undergraduate estimate (out-of-state): tuition and fees USD 29,300, housing and meals USD 12,995, books USD 1,260, transportation USD 2,874, personal costs USD 3,838, total USD 50,267. For Invitation to Idaho recipients, tuition and fees are USD 13,538 and the total is USD 34,505.
• Additional for international students: an international student fee of USD 380 a semester, health insurance of about USD 2,412 a year, and immigration and travel costs.
• Invitation to Idaho: the only award offered automatically to new international students, applied as reduced tuition with no separate application. Eligibility: new first-year or first-time transfer students pursuing a first bachelor’s degree, enrolled for 12–18 credits a semester, with an incoming GPA of 3.0 or higher. The international scholarship page says it lowers international tuition from USD 29,016 to USD 13,294 a year (no year stated), which differs from the 2026-27 cost table above. Renewal requires a 2.5 cumulative GPA; the international page says for three more years, while the out-of-state page says up to four years.
• #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship: 50% of tuition for up to four years for first-year international students, with a 500–1,000-word essay or a 2–5-minute video; it cannot be combined with Invitation to Idaho. Renewal requires a 3.0 cumulative GPA, at least 12 credits each semester and 10 hours of cultural engagement a semester through an International Programs Office internship. The page lists priority deadlines only for 2026 entry; 2027 dates are not yet posted.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply by May 1 for fall, ideally at least three months ahead
• Prepare English scores such as IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 70/4.0
• A GPA of 3.0 or higher qualifies for Invitation to Idaho; prepare an essay or video for #YouAreWelcomeHere if interested
• After arrival, earn C or better in Computer Science I, II and the other gateway courses

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

• Apply as an international student; ask your school for an English-medium letter to request an English waiver

Transfer students:

• 2.0 GPA on transferable work; plan for 2.8 when moving from an out-of-state institution into engineering

Sources: University of Idaho, Computer Science B.S.C.S. degree finder; Department of Computer Science; College of Engineering accreditation; 2026-2027 Catalog: Computer Science (B.S.C.S.); 2026-2027 Catalog: College of Engineering; International undergraduate admissions; First-year admission; 2026-27 cost of attendance; International scholarships; Out-of-state and international scholarships; International scholarships and funding. The #YouAreWelcomeHere page lists only 2026 deadlines. Check the University of Idaho’s website for the latest.