How to Apply to Computer Science at California State University, Northridge: The 120-Unit BS in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Not an Impacted Major, the May 15, 2027 International Deadline, and Requirements and Timelines for Students in China, Canadian High Schools and Transfer Students

California State University, Northridge (CSUN) is part of the California State University (CSU) system and sits in Los Angeles’s San Fernando Valley. The Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the Andrew J. Anagnost College of Engineering and Computer Science. Below are the courses, how admission works and the requirements for different applicants, based on CSUN’s official pages.

1. Degree and courses

• Accreditation: the BS in Computer Science is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC). The department’s BS in Computer Information Technology is also ABET CAC accredited.
• Units: 120 in total, covering general education, the pre-major core, the major core and a 15-unit sequence of senior electives.
• Residency: at least 18 upper-division computer science units must be taken at CSUN, 12 of them from the senior electives.
• Senior design: the department pages mention the senior design courses COMP 490/L and COMP 491/L.
• Course list: the full list of required courses and the four-year plan are in the CSUN catalog (catalog.csun.edu), which could not be accessed while this article was written; check the catalog for specific courses.
• Minor: students in other majors can take a 22-unit Computer Science minor.

2. Admission and impaction

• Impacted majors: from fall 2026 through spring 2028 CSUN has only two impacted majors: the Film Production and Television Production options of the BA in Cinema and Television Arts, and the BA in Music. Computer Science is not on the list.
• Who impaction affects: only domestic applicants from California high schools or colleges; the page directs international applicants to International Admissions.
• Choosing a major: on Cal State Apply you select CSU Northridge, a major and a start term; if you are unsure you can choose “Exploratory” and change later.
• Tests: SAT/ACT are not required for admission; if submitted they help place you in first-year math and writing courses.
• Switching into Computer Science after enrolling: the conditions are not published on the pages read; ask the ACECS Student Services Center (JD 1501).

3. Timeline (fall 2027 entry)

• International first-year and transfer applicants: apply from August 1, 2026 to May 15, 2027; documents are due June 15.
• Spring 2027: international applicants apply from July 1 to October 31, 2026, with documents due November 15.
• Domestic first-year applicants: August 1, 2026 to May 15, 2027; confirm enrollment by May 1.
• Application fee: US$70, by credit or debit card only.
• Platform: Cal State Apply. You can upload the financial affidavit, bank statement, passport page and English scores before submitting; if not, upload them later through the CSUN Portal.

4. Students at high schools in China

• GPA: 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or a B average on an A–F scale; CSUN converts international grades itself.
• Documents: all secondary-school records, certificates, exam results and diplomas in the original language, with official English translations and official proof of high school completion.
• English: TOEFL 61 (old iBT), 3.5 (new iBT) or 500 (paper), IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 95, PTE 50 or Cambridge C1 Advanced 172; TOEFL ITP is not accepted.
• Gaokao: CSUN does not publish how Gaokao results are used; ask International Admissions (intladm@csun.edu).
• Funding: submit the Affidavit of Financial Support and a bank statement.

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

• English: three or more years at an English-medium high school waives the English test, and CSUN’s list of qualifying countries includes Canada. The page does not say whether Quebec is excluded, so confirm with International Admissions.
• GPA: international first-year applicants need 3.0 or a B average. CSUN does not publish specific BC grade requirements; ask admissions how BC grades are converted.
• AP and IB: optional AP and IB scores count for credit and placement and are due by July 15 for fall entry.

6. Transfer students

• From a US college, under 60 units: meet the international first-year requirements, a college GPA of 2.0 or higher, and C- or better in a GE written composition course and a GE math course.
• From a US college, 60 units or more: a college GPA of 2.00 or higher and C- or better in the four Basic Skills courses (written composition, critical thinking, college-level math, oral communication); Engineering and Computer Science applicants do not have to complete critical thinking before admission.
• From a college outside the US: a college GPA of 2.00 or higher (calculated by your admissions advisor), one college-level math course at C- or better, and English test scores or an exemption; under 60 units you must also meet the international first-year requirements.
• Deadlines: the same as international first-year applicants, May 15 for fall 2027 with documents due June 15.

7. Costs (US$, 2026-2027)

• Tuition and fees: 8,328 a year for California residents.
• Non-residents, including international students: add 471 per unit; the admissions page’s example of 30 units a year adds 14,130 for a combined 22,458 in tuition and fees.
• Full-year estimate for a California resident living with relatives: 23,978 (including books 1,438, housing and food 9,530, transportation 1,808, personal 2,798 and loan fees 76); on- and off-campus estimates are on CSUN’s cost-of-attendance page.
• Aid: international students are not eligible for federal or state aid. University scholarships are applied for through myMatadorScholarships; which ones international students can apply for is not published on the pages read.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• A 3.0 GPA or B average; TOEFL 61, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 95; apply by May 15, 2027 and submit documents by June 15
• Prepare the financial affidavit and bank statement; ask International Admissions whether Gaokao results are used

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

• Three years at an English-medium high school in Canada waives the English test; ask admissions how BC grades are converted

Transfer students:

• A 2.00 college GPA and C- or better in writing and math; with 60+ units, complete the four Basic Skills courses (Engineering and Computer Science applicants can leave critical thinking until after admission)

Sources: California State University, Northridge, BS in Computer Science; Computer Science accreditation; Computer Science advisement; How to apply; First-time freshman admissions; International first-time freshmen; International transfer students; Transfer admissions; Impaction; Dates and deadlines; Cost and financial aid. The timeline is for fall 2027 entry and costs are for 2026-2027. Check CSUN’s website for the latest.