How to apply to Computer Science at Cleveland State University: the 120-credit BSCS degree charts, three entry points, the accelerated BS/MS and the tuition guarantee, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

Cleveland State University (CSU) is in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The BS in Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer Science, whose site sits within the Washkewicz College of Engineering website. 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 and courses

• Degree: Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS), accredited by the ABET Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC). At least 120 credits, covering general education, core CS and electives in CS and related fields, with a senior design capstone (Senior Design I and II). Electives can lean toward artificial intelligence, data science, software engineering, cybersecurity and database systems.
• Three entry points: the department publishes recommended sequences for a 4-year calculus entry (120 or 121 credits including the recommended ESC 130 Engineering Co-op Orientation) and 4-year and 5-year precalculus entries (126 or 127 credits). The charts are the 2025 versions and link to the 2024-25 catalog.
• Required CS courses (calculus-entry chart): CIS 151 Invitation to Computing, CIS 260 Intro to Programming, CIS 265 Data Structures and Algorithms, CIS 335 Language Processors, CIS 340 Systems Programming, CIS 345 Operating Systems, CIS 390 Introduction to Algorithms, CIS 402 CS Technical Writing, CIS 424 Comparative Programming Languages, CIS 430 Database Concepts, CIS 434 Software Engineering, CIS 454 Computer Networks, CIS 475 Computer Security, CIS 480 Computer Architecture and CIS 493/494 Senior Design I/II, plus 18 credits of technical electives; three semesters of co-op can replace one elective.
• Math and science: Calculus I and II (MTH 181/182), Discrete Math (MTH 220), Linear Algebra (MTH 288), Statistics and Probability (ESC 310 or STA 323) and Physics I and II (PHY 241/242); Discrete Math and Linear Algebra need a C or better in Calculus II. One technology ethics course (PHL 215 or PHL 216) is also required.
• Accelerated BS/MS: BSCS majors with 60 credits (at least 16 in CIS and 30 at CSU) and a 3.0 GPA can apply to finish the BS and a Master of Computer Science in five years. No GRE; two recommendation letters and a statement are required; up to 9 graduate credits count toward both degrees.
• Other: the department also offers a BS in Data Science and, since fall 2025, eight integrated computer science degrees (for example CS + Design, + Music, + Physics, + Mathematics/Statistics).

2. How admission works

• International first-year: a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 2.3 (4.0 scale) plus the English requirement. The Office of Admissions reviews undergraduate applications, usually within a few business days of the file being complete.
• Math placement: all first-year students must meet a minimum math placement score; otherwise they may need a remedial math course or self-study, which can extend the study plan.
• If you fall short: students who don’t quite meet the GPA or English requirement can enter through the university’s ESL pathway courses.
• Direct entry and changing majors: the BSCS admission requirements are in the catalog, which we could not read; this is not published on the pages we used, so confirm with the department’s advisors.
• Testing: the international requirements page does not ask for SAT/ACT; the domestic application page says ACT/SAT is waived for fall 2026.

3. Dates and materials (international first-year)

• Deadlines: the international page currently lists only 2026 dates: April 13, 2026 for summer 2026 and July 1, 2026 for fall 2026 (application and I-20 transfer). Dates for 2027 are not yet published; watch the page.
• Materials: high school and any post-secondary transcripts, a copy of your passport (the name must match your application) and English scores.
• Credential evaluation: official transcripts must be sent directly to the international admissions team by one of three providers: The Evaluation Company (TEC), Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) or World Education Services (WES).
• Application fee: the international FAQ says applications are reviewed once all materials and the fee are received; the international fee amount is not stated on the pages we read. The domestic page lists a USD 40 fee, waived through fall 2026.
• Financial documents: submitted after admission, for the I-20.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL: for tests on or after January 21, 2026, an overall 4.0 with at least 3.5 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 4.0 in Writing; for earlier tests, 78 overall with no section below 17.
• Other options: IELTS 6.0 (no band below 5.0), iTEP 3.8, Duolingo 105, ACT English 20, SAT reading/writing 530 (March 2016 or later), or ELS Level 112.
• Exemption: the requirements page says applicants from countries on the exemption list may not need a test, and the list includes Canada, all provinces except Quebec. However, the international FAQ says English proficiency is not waived unless you graduated from a U.S. university or a university in an exempt country. The two pages differ; ask International Admissions whether high school graduates qualify.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: how Gaokao results are used is not published; ask admissions (admissions@csuohio.edu).
• Transcripts: evaluated by TEC, ECE or WES and sent directly; at least a 2.3 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
• A-Level, IB and AP: AP and IB credit is covered on the Registrar’s external test credit page (we did not verify the scores and course equivalents); A-Level credit is not published, so ask admissions.
• Math: you will take math placement; the calculus-entry chart starts Calculus I in the first semester.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: Canada outside Quebec is on the exemption list, but because the two pages differ, confirm with International Admissions.
• BC grades: grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; transcripts also need evaluation, and the GPA must be the equivalent of at least 2.3.

7. Transfer students

• Process: international transfers follow the same application, plus a preliminary credit assessment and an official transfer credit evaluation after admission.
• English: 30 transfer credits from an accredited U.S. institution with a C or better in English 101 and 102 equivalents meets the English requirement.
• Transfer guide: the university publishes a course guide for starting an associate degree at Lorain County Community College and finishing the BSCS at CSU.
• GPA and other conditions for entering computer science are in the catalog, which we could not read; not published on the pages we used.

8. Costs and scholarships

• Estimated annual cost for an international undergraduate (year not stated; fall and spring, full time): tuition and fees USD 22,457, room and meals USD 16,800, books USD 800, health insurance USD 3,523, local transportation USD 1,770 and personal expenses USD 1,800, for a total of USD 47,150; plus a one-time USD 100 international matriculation fee and a USD 30 per-semester international services fee.
• Tuition guarantee: first-year students can lock in tuition, meal plan and residence hall rates for four years. For the 2026-27 cohort (effective fall 2026 to summer 2030), international tuition for 12–18 credits is USD 10,375.80 per semester.
• Engineering fee: the 2026-27 miscellaneous fees list an engineering fee of USD 36 per credit hour; confirm whether it applies to CS courses.
• Scholarships: the international cost page points undergraduates to scholarships by college. The new-freshman page says incoming first-years are considered automatically, with awards typically up to USD 32,000 for Ohio freshmen and up to USD 40,000 for non-resident freshmen, and a final materials deadline of March 1 for scholarship consideration; whether international students are considered as non-residents is not stated, so ask admissions. International students cannot receive U.S. government aid.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• High school GPA of at least 2.3; transcript evaluated by TEC, ECE or WES
• Prepare TOEFL 4.0 on the new scale (78 on the old), IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 105
• Build strong calculus; you will take math placement
• Ask admissions about Gaokao, the 2027 deadlines and the application fee

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

• Confirm whether the English test is waived; transcripts still need evaluation

Transfer students:

• Send all college transcripts; English 101/102 taken in the U.S. can meet the English requirement

Sources: Cleveland State University, BS in Computer Science; Department of Computer Science; BSCS degree charts; Accelerated BS/MS; International undergraduate requirements; International undergraduate how to apply; International tuition and scholarships; English-exempt countries; International FAQ; Undergraduate tuition; Tuition and fees; New freshman scholarships; Undergraduate application. The international deadline page currently shows only 2026 dates and the degree charts are the 2025 versions. Check Cleveland State’s website for the latest.