How to Apply for Computer Science at Grand Valley State University: the 120-credit BS in Computer Science in the College of Computing with a required internship and a major GPA requirement, free international applications and an international scholarship at the Michigan tuition rate, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer students

Grand Valley State University (GVSU) is in Allendale, Michigan. Its computer science degree is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Computing. This guide summarizes what the university publishes 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

• Accreditation and format: the BS in Computer Science is accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission; it is taught face to face on the Allendale campus and requires 120 credits.
• Required CS courses (2026-2027 catalog): Computer Science I and II, System-level Programming and Utilities, Data Structures and Algorithms, Professional Responsibilities and Practices, Structure of Programming Languages, Introduction to Software Engineering, Computer Organization, Database, Operating Systems Concepts, Data Communications, Computer Science Project (capstone), and an Internship (CIS 490, 2 to 5 credits). These CIS courses must average at least a 2.0 GPA.
• CS electives: four from a list that includes Data Mining, Mobile Application Development, Introduction to Artificial Intelligence, Computer Graphics, Web Application Programming, Applied Machine Learning, Secure Software Engineering, Computer Architecture, Ethical Hacking, Applied Cryptography, System Security, Compiler Design and Construction, and Automata and Theory of Computation.
• Required non-computing courses: Speech, Calculus I, two Discrete Structures courses for computer science, one statistics course (of three), and Business Communication; plus one math elective (such as Calculus II or Linear Algebra I) and one lab science (biology, chemistry, geology or physics).
• Areas of focus: the College of Computing page lists electives for exploring artificial intelligence, computer graphics, web/mobile applications, system/software security, usability design and data mining; no formal emphases are listed. A combined bachelor’s/master’s option is available.
• Suggested order: Computer Science I and II, Precalculus and Discrete Structures in year one, and Calculus I in year two. The catalog notes that this order assumes a strong math background and that students with math deficiencies should complete math prerequisites first.

2. Admission

• Entering the major: the catalog lists majors whose entry standards exceed university admission; it includes “Computing (B.A.S.)” but not the BS in Computer Science. The catalog says computer science majors must complete the CIS courses above with at least a 2.0 GPA.
• First-year review: high school courses, cumulative GPA, grade trend, class rank and other factors. Testing is optional, but applicants for the top scholarships must submit scores, and students who want to show strong math are encouraged to. GVSU recommends four years of English, three of science (including two lab sciences), three of college-prep math (including two of algebra) and more, plus computer science electives and a strongly recommended fourth year of math.
• Changing into CS: specific conditions are not given on the pages we read; confirm with College of Computing advising.

3. Deadlines and materials (international undergraduates)

• Deadlines: fall (August) application June 1 and I-20 financial verification form July 1; winter (January) application November 1 and form November 15.
• How to apply: the Common App or GVSU’s online application; there is no application fee for undergraduates.
• Materials: English scores sent by the testing agency; all secondary and post-secondary transcripts and certificates, with English translations if needed, sent directly by the schools; and a one- to two-page personal statement. Applicants from countries with national exams must provide official results from the testing board or their school.

4. English

• Most common tests: TOEFL 4.5 (86 on the prior scale; MyBest and Essentials are not accepted), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 105.
• Other options: Cambridge C1 Advanced/C2 Proficiency 180; PTE 53; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 470; ACT English 15; AP English Language 3; IB Diploma Higher Level English A or B at 5 or above; Michigan English Test 52.
• Exempt countries: the list includes Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, among others.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: the catalog says applicants from countries with national exams must submit official results; how Gaokao results are used in admission is not published, so confirm with admissions.
• Transcripts: non-English transcripts need an English translation and must be emailed or mailed by the school.
• IB and AP: IB or AP English results can meet the English requirement (above); credit for IB, AP and A-Level is not on the pages we read, so check the credit-by-exam page or ask admissions.

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

• English: Canada is on the exempt-country list.
• Grades: BC grade requirements are not published; confirm with admissions.
• Tuition: the GVSU International Scholarship is for international undergraduates on E2, F1, H4, K2, L2, R2, TN and TD visas and covers the non-resident difference; ask the university which visa applies to you as a Canadian student and whether you qualify.

7. Transfer students

• Materials: with 12 or more college credits, send official transcripts from every college; with fewer than 12, add a high school transcript. Transfer applications are free.
• Universities outside the US: international transfer applicants send course catalogs or syllabi for non-US courses, translated if needed; GVSU does not accept transfer credit evaluations by other institutions or private credential evaluators. This step is not required for admission.
• Transfer credit: courses with a D from accredited institutions generally transfer when the overall GPA of prior work is a C or better. Transfer students must complete at least 12 hours in the unit conferring the major.
• Entering CS: specific course and GPA requirements are not on the pages we read; confirm with College of Computing advising.

8. Costs and scholarships (2026-2027)

• Undergraduate tuition: non-Michigan residents pay USD 23,492 a year in lower division (0–54 credits) and USD 24,184 in upper division (55+ credits); Michigan residents pay USD 16,520 and USD 17,252 (12–15 credits per semester). A traditional residence hall with an unlimited meal plan is USD 11,100.
• GVSU International Scholarship: every admitted international undergraduate on the listed visas receives it; it covers the difference between non-resident and resident tuition so students pay the Michigan rate. GVSU values it at about USD 6,700 a year, renewing automatically for up to four years.
• International Merit Scholarship: USD 2,500 a year, renewable for up to four years for first-time college students; fall entrants only; requires a scholarship application, ideally by February 15, and is decided by committee; it can be combined with the GVSU International Scholarship.
• After enrolling: after one full-time semester, students can apply for the International Student Scholarship (USD 250 to 3,000 for one year). The College of Computing also offers several scholarships, including a limited first-year award for students interested in computing.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Complete the application by June 1 for fall; apply for the International Merit Scholarship by February 15
• Prepare TOEFL 4.5 (86 prior scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105
• Have official Gaokao or other national exam results ready and ask admissions how they are used
• Build strong math: the suggested sequence starts Precalculus and Discrete Structures in year one

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

• Canada is exempt from English testing
• Confirm your visa type and international scholarship eligibility, and BC grade expectations

Transfer students:

• Prepare syllabi for non-US courses; confirm entry conditions with College of Computing advising

Sources: Grand Valley State University, Computer Science major; College of Computing: Computer Science, B.S.; 2026-2027 catalog: B.S. in Computer Science; 2026-2027 catalog: Admissions; International application; International scholarships; International student funding; Transfer students; 2026-2027 tuition and fees; College of Computing scholarships. Courses and tuition are for 2026-2027. Check GVSU’s website for the latest.