How to Apply to Computer Science at Rose-Hulman: The 192-Credit Quarter-System BS in Computer Science, the International Computer Science Dual Degree and Merit Scholarships, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

At Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSSE). Here is what you need to know, based on the institute’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 courses

• BS in Computer Science: accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission. Rose-Hulman uses a quarter system with fall, winter and spring terms.
• Credit breakdown: 64 required major credits, 43 math and science, 37 humanities and social sciences, 28 technical electives and 20 free electives, for 192 credits in total.
• Paths: the department says students choose a pathway within the major and go deeper through a specialization or minor; many choose artificial intelligence, cybersecurity or data science, or work with faculty on a customized focus.
• Sample program (the department’s flowchart, dated July 4, 2024): Introduction to Software Development, Object-Oriented Software Development, Introduction to Computer Systems, Introduction to Digital Computing Systems, Computer Architecture I, Introduction to Web Programming, Data Structures and Algorithm Analysis, Operating Systems, Database Systems, Programming Language Concepts, Software Requirements Engineering, Software Architecture and Design, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Theory of Computation, and a three-term senior capstone (students doing senior research take CSSE 394/395 instead). Math includes Calculus I–III (or a version starting with Calculus A–C), Differential Equations I, Introduction to Proofs, Combinatorics and Introduction to Probability; science includes Physics I and II and General Chemistry I with lab.
• Other degrees: the International Computer Science dual degree — two years at Rose-Hulman, a third year of English-taught courses at Ulm University of Applied Sciences in Germany, and a final year back at Rose-Hulman, earning a BS from each — also totals 192 credits (88 in required major courses). The department also offers a BS in Artificial Intelligence, a Data Science and AI second major and a cybersecurity minor.
• Double major: you can double major in computer science and software engineering within 192 credits; the exact courses depend on which is your primary major.

2. How admission works

• Holistic review: test scores are not required; if submitted, they are reviewed with curriculum rigor, subject mastery, intellectual competency and personal character.
• Minimum high school courses: four years of math, four of English, three of lab science (one year each of biology, chemistry and physics) and two of social sciences.
• Major admission and changing majors: the website does not say whether computer science requires a separate application or what it takes to change into it after enrolling; ask admissions (admissions@rhit.edu).

3. Application timeline and materials (international first-year)

• Applying: the GoRose application or the Common App, with no preference between them — submit only one. The fee is USD 65 (non-refundable), or a qualified fee waiver.
• Deadlines (no year shown): the application opens August 1; non-binding early action November 1, with notification by December 15; regular decision February 1; enrollment deposit May 1. Incomplete early action applications move to regular decision.
• Documents: the international application, one letter of recommendation, the secondary school record, TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores, and a bank statement from the last six months showing the account holder, amount and currency (with a certified translation if not in English). After admission and your financial aid award, upload an affidavit of support in the portal; the funds must be readily available and cannot come from work after you arrive.
• Interview: an InitialView interview is optional, and applicants without one are at no disadvantage.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL: iBT 88 (at least 20 in each section) if taken before January 21, 2026; 4.5 (at least 4 in each section) if taken on or after that date. IELTS 6.5 (at least 6.0 in each band). Duolingo 110. PTE 59.
• Exemption: SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 500 or higher, or ACT English 21 or higher. All other applicants for whom English is a second language must submit TOEFL or IELTS.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao results are used; ask the associate director who works with international students.
• Testing: not required, but SAT EBRW 500 or ACT English 21 waives the English test.
• High school science: one year each of biology, chemistry and physics is required — plan your courses accordingly.
• AP and IB: Rose-Hulman says AP, IB and other credits can be used toward a double major, minors or its four-year bachelor’s and master’s program; the accepted exams and scores are in the catalog, which we did not read, so ask admissions. A-Level credit rules are not published.

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

• Grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published.
• The international page only says applicants for whom English is a second language must submit TOEFL or IELTS (or use SAT/ACT); it does not say whether students from English-language schools in Canada are exempt, so ask admissions.
• You must also meet the high school course requirements, including a year each of biology, chemistry and physics.

7. Transfer students

• Students who have taken college classes since high school apply as transfers; current first-year college students should apply after their first-semester grades post.
• Documents: the transfer application and college transcripts; Rose-Hulman requires courses in biology, chemistry, physics and calculus. With fewer than 24 transferable hours, also send your high school transcript.
• Deadlines: application April 1 and enrollment deposit May 15; there is no application fee for transfer students.
• Credit: generally a course must be 100-level or above with a C or better to transfer; faculty make the final decision.
• The international page says there are freshman and transfer admission types for international students; no additional requirements are listed for international transfers.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 first-year estimate: tuition and fees USD 59,772, housing and food USD 18,534 and a one-time laptop fee of USD 2,800, for direct costs of USD 81,106; indirect costs such as miscellaneous, transportation and books add USD 5,238. Upperclass tuition and fees are also USD 59,772, with housing and food of USD 19,482.
• International students: Rose-Hulman says every applicant has merit scholarship opportunities but it cannot meet students’ full need; on average, international students fund about USD 45,000 a year themselves. Full-tuition and full-ride scholarships are extremely limited and should not be relied on.
• Rose-Hulman Merit Scholarship: every admitted student is considered automatically, based on academic measures (quality of curriculum, class rank and size, test scores) and non-academic measures (activities, leadership, community service).
• Other scholarships (separate applications after admission): the Competition Teams Scholarship (high school design, robotics, computer or engineering teams), USD 1,000–2,500 a year, due April 1; the FIRST and VEX Robotics Scholarships, USD 10,000 a year each and up to USD 40,000 over four years, due February 1; and the Conru Scholarship, USD 6,000 over four years, due February 1.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply early action by November 1; prepare one recommendation and a bank statement
• Prepare TOEFL 4.5 (88 on the old scale) or IELTS 6.5, or use SAT EBRW 500 to waive English
• Take four years of math and a year each of biology, chemistry and physics
• Ask admissions whether Gaokao results are used

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

• Ask admissions whether you need an English test; meet the three-science requirement

Transfer students:

• Apply by April 1 with no fee; have biology, chemistry, physics and calculus

Sources: Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Computer Science; Majors and minors (credit table); Computer Science sample program flowchart; Accreditation; First-year application and deadlines; International students; Application evaluation criteria; Transfer application and deadlines; 2026-2027 tuition and fees; Rose-Hulman scholarships. The deadline pages do not state a year and costs are for 2026-2027; check Rose-Hulman’s website for the latest.