How to Apply to Computer Science at San Francisco State University: The 74-Unit Major and 120-Unit Degree in the College of Science & Engineering, the May 1, 2027 International Deadline, and Requirements and Timelines for Students in China, Canadian High Schools and Transfer Students

San Francisco State University (SF State or SFSU) is part of the California State University (CSU) system. Its Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Science & Engineering. This guide sets out the curriculum, how admission works and the requirements for different applicants, based on SF State’s website.

1. The degree and curriculum (2026-2027 Bulletin)

• Units: 74 units in the major; the four-year roadmap lists 120 units for the degree.
• Grades: CR/NC grades are not accepted in major courses; math and physics, core CS and advanced CS courses need a C or better. The department strictly enforces prerequisites, which require a C or better.
• Math and physics (22 units): MATH 225 Introduction to Linear Algebra, MATH 226 Calculus I, MATH 227 Calculus II, MATH 324 Probability and Statistics with Computing, and two semesters of calculus-based physics with labs (PHYS 220/222, PHYS 230/232).
• Core CS (28 units): CSC 101 Introduction to Computing, CSC 215 Intermediate Computer Programming, CSC 220 Data Structures, CSC 230 Discrete Mathematical Structures, CSC 256 Machine Structures, CSC 300GW Ethics, Communication, and Tools for Software Development, CSC 317 Introduction to Web Software Development, CSC 340 Programming Methodology, CSC 413 Software Development.
• Advanced CS (9 units): CSC 415 Operating System Principles, CSC 510 Analysis of Algorithms I, CSC 648 Software Engineering.
• Electives (15 units): five 3-unit senior electives, at least 12 units in CSC, from options such as theory of computing, programming paradigms, generative AI, natural language technologies, computer graphics, multiplayer game development, quantum computing, network security, deep learning, databases and mobile development; one graduate course may count with approval.
• First year: the roadmap starts with CSC 101 and MATH 226 Calculus I, then CSC 215, MATH 227 and the first physics course in the second semester.
• Other: senior courses include group projects; students can take a 3-unit independent study (CSC 699, once only); a cooperative education program alternates paid work with classes.

2. Admission and impaction

• High school preparation: the Bulletin says freshman entrants should have two years of algebra and one semester of trigonometry, and strongly encourages a year each of geometry and physics plus basic knowledge of computer organization and programming.
• Impaction: the impaction page lists only nursing programs (for fall 2026 and spring 2027); computer science is not on it. The fall 2027 list is not yet shown, so check the page when you apply.
• Applicants to impacted majors: must name an alternate major and may be held to a higher GPA.
• Tests: the CSU no longer uses ACT/SAT to determine eligibility.
• Changing major: the pages read do not say how current students move into computer science; ask a department advisor.

3. Timeline (fall 2027)

• Application: Cal State Apply opens August 1, 2026, and submissions start October 1.
• Impacted-major priority deadline: November 30, 2026.
• International application deadline: May 1, 2027.
• Accept the offer and pay the deposit: May 1, 2027; final transcripts by July 15, 2027.
• Application fee: USD 70, non-refundable, by credit card or PayPal.
• Decisions: SF State decides on self-reported application information, so answer every question accurately.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Credential: 12 years of primary and secondary education and eligibility for university in your home country; for China, the listed credential is the senior secondary school certificate (高中毕业证书).
• GPA: a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or a B- average, in academic courses after grade 9.
• Transcripts: current grade 12 students submit grades through the first semester of year 12; non-English transcripts need a word-for-word certified English translation; third-party credential evaluations are not accepted.
• English: TOEFL 61, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 95 or PTE 45; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 550, ACT English 22, AP English 3 or IB English A HL 4 also qualify.
• Gaokao: SF State does not say how Gaokao results are used; ask the admissions office.
• I-20: submit the financial affidavit and proof of funds for one academic year of costs.

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

• Credential: for BC, the listed credential is the Secondary School Graduation Diploma.
• English: three years of full-time academic study in English in a listed country, including Canada, meets the requirement.
• Grades: SF State does not publish BC grade requirements; the international freshman page asks for a 2.5 GPA or B- average. Ask admissions how BC grades are converted.
• AP and IB: AP and IB Higher Level exam results may earn credit with official score reports.

6. Transfer students

• Upper-division transfer: at least 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter), including at least 30 units of CSU GE; C- or better in the four basic skills courses (oral communication, written communication, critical thinking, quantitative reasoning), with engineering majors exempt from critical thinking; a 2.00 GPA in transferable work.
• Lower-division transfer: under 60 units, you must meet freshman credential and GPA conditions plus a 2.00 college GPA.
• Timing: for fall entry, units and the four basic skills courses must be done by the end of the preceding spring term.
• Computer science: the Bulletin encourages completing as many lower-division requirements (courses below 300) as possible before transfer; there is a two-year roadmap for students with the California AS-T in Computer Science.
• English: required if you have less than three years of full-time study in an English-speaking country.

7. Costs (US$, 2026-2027)

• California-resident undergraduates: tuition 6,838 and local fees 1,934; the on-campus total is 38,234 a year (including housing, food, books, transportation and personal expenses).
• Out-of-state and international students: add 471 per unit.
• Scholarships: the Bulletin says several endowed funds give annual awards to CS majors with scholarly accomplishment and financial need, and the department lists funding that supports women in computing. No scholarship for international students was found on the pages read.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A 2.5 GPA or higher; TOEFL 61, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 95; apply by May 1, 2027
• Build algebra and trigonometry, ideally with physics; ask admissions whether Gaokao results are used

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

• Three years of English-medium study in Canada meets the English requirement; ask admissions how BC grades are converted

Transfer students:

• 60 units, a 2.00 GPA and the four basic skills courses; complete as much calculus, physics and lower-division CS as possible

Sources: San Francisco State University, 2026-2027 Bulletin: BS in Computer Science; Four-year roadmap; Computer Science undergraduate program; Computer Science student policies; Freshman admissions; International freshmen; International transfers; Secondary school credentials; Dates and deadlines; Impaction; Tuition and aid; Cost of attendance. The timeline is for fall 2027 entry and costs are for 2026-2027. Check SF State’s website for the latest.