How to apply to Computer Science at Ball State University: the BA/BS in the College of Sciences and Humanities, five concentrations, 120 credits and a two-semester capstone, international Global scholarships, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

Ball State University is in Muncie, Indiana. Its computer science degree is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Sciences and Humanities. This guide summarizes the official requirements 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, concentrations and courses

• Degree: Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, on campus, 120 credits.
• Structure: 11 core courses in the first two years build foundations in algorithms and computing theory, design and development, ethics, communication and teamwork; students then specialize and choose from a range of electives. Everyone finishes with a two-semester software engineering capstone, building software for real clients in teams.
• Five concentrations: General Computer Science, AI & Data Analytics, Cybersecurity & Secure Software Design, Game Design & Development, and Web & Mobile App Development. The department says you can combine more than one.
• Other: computer science majors need a laptop. The department notes that CS pairs well with a second major in mathematics, physics, chemistry or biology, and many students add a business-related major or minor.
• Course list: course numbers and credits are in the university catalog, which is hosted on a third-party site and was not used here. The university pages we read do not list the courses; use the Courses link on the department’s major page.

2. How admission works

• International first-year: rolling admission once your file is complete. The university calls admission selective and considers curriculum strength, grades and grade trends, plus English scores. No GPA guarantees admission; it looks for above-average grades.
• Testing: SAT/ACT is not required but can be used to meet the English requirement. Domestic first-year admission is also test-optional; the page gives an average weighted GPA of 3.56 for enrolled freshmen (year not stated).
• Major requirements: some majors may require a portfolio, audition or essay; whether computer science has extra requirements is not published.
• Direct entry and changing majors: not published; confirm with the department or admissions.

3. Dates and materials (international first-year)

• How to apply: the university’s own application (about 30–60 minutes); first-time international students entering in fall can also use the Common App. The fee is USD 60; there are no individual fee waivers, only codes given to specific groups.
• Deadlines (no year shown; dates by which International Admissions must have your materials):
  • Fall: application materials June 15; confirmation and payment July 7; I-20 materials July 15
  • Spring: November 15; December 6; December 15
  • Summer: March 15; April 6; April 15
• Materials: upload an official transcript from every school attended to Cardinal Landing, in the original language with a certified English translation. Test scores must come directly from the testing agency (school code 1051); scanned paper reports are not accepted. Depending on the program, you may also need recommendations, school leaving exam results or essays.
• After admission: from fall 2026, admitted on-campus degree students pay a USD 100 non-refundable enrollment deposit; the I-20 needs your passport, visa type and proof of financial support.

4. English requirements

• Full admission: TOEFL 79 (MyBest accepted), IELTS Academic 6.5, PTE 53, Duolingo 110, SAT reading/writing 500 or ACT English 21; scores are valid for 24 months.
• Academic Bridge Program: Duolingo 100 or 105, TOEFL 75–78, IELTS 6.0 or PTE 51–52 lets you start degree classes while taking the final level of the Intensive English Institute part-time.
• Conditional admission: start in the Intensive English Institute (from IELTS 4.5, TOEFL 42, Duolingo 65 or PTE 40) and begin the degree after meeting the English requirement.
• Waivers: a U.S. high school diploma, or a high school diploma from a country on the waiver list, which includes Canada (excluding Quebec). Completing high school at an English-medium school may qualify at International Admissions’ discretion.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: how Gaokao results are used is not published; ask International Admissions (intadmit@bsu.edu).
• Transcripts: upload your official high school transcript in the original language with a certified English translation.
• A-Level, IB and AP: credit rules are not on the pages we read; ask admissions.
• English: China is not on the waiver list, so submit one of the scores above.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: a high school diploma from Canada (excluding Quebec) meets the English requirement.
• BC grades: grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; ask International Admissions.
• Status: if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, apply under the international requirements.

7. Transfer students

• GPA: at least 2.0 on transferable coursework from a U.S. institution, or the equivalent of 2.5 (4.0 scale) from a non-U.S. institution.
• Materials: with fewer than 24 credits, send both secondary and tertiary records; with 24 or more, only tertiary records. For transfer credit, submit English course descriptions or syllabi for each course.
• Testing: SAT/ACT not required; English requirements are the same as for first-years.
• Any extra conditions for entering computer science are not published.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 (non-Indiana resident, on campus, 15 credits): tuition USD 27,496; tuition and fees USD 29,790; with books, housing and food, transportation and personal costs, the standard cost of attendance is USD 47,220. The tuition page does not list international students separately.
• International scholarships: for outstanding international first-year and transfer students, paid toward non-resident tuition for up to 8 semesters of full-time, on-campus study:
  • Global Achievement: USD 12,000 a year
  • Global Distinction: USD 14,000 a year
  • Global Presidential: USD 16,000 a year
  The page gives these as the amounts for awards made from spring 2025; selection criteria are not published. You must meet the English requirement before the award pays tuition, and it cannot be used for the Intensive English Institute.
• #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship: two awards a year of USD 14,000 (USD 7,000 a semester) for incoming international first-years; submit a short essay or video on leadership by March 31 (no year shown); renewal needs a 2.5 GPA.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit all materials by June 15 for fall; USD 60 fee
• Prepare TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 110
• Transcript in the original language plus a certified English translation
• Ask International Admissions how Gaokao results are used

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

• A diploma from outside Quebec meets the English requirement; ask about BC grade requirements

Transfer students:

• GPA 2.0 from U.S. institutions or 2.5 from non-U.S. institutions; prepare English course descriptions

Sources: Ball State University, Computer Science major; Computer Science concentrations; International steps to admission; English proficiency and conditional admission; Undergraduate application; First-year requirements; 2026-27 tuition and fees; Scholarships. International deadlines do not state a year; costs are for 2026-27. Check Ball State’s website for the latest.