How to Apply to Computer Science at Texas State University: the 120-Hour BS in the College of Science and Engineering, Pre-Major Entry and Calculus I Readiness, International English Requirements, Assured Scholarships and Costs, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese and Canadian High School Students and Transfer Students

Texas State University (TXST) has its main campus in San Marcos, Texas, and undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Science and Engineering. Here is what you need to know, based on the university’s website, 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. The degree and courses

• BS in Computer Science: accredited by ABET’s Computing Accreditation Commission (CAC). The 2026-2027 catalog requires a minimum of 120 semester credit hours, and the program is offered at the San Marcos main campus, the Collin College Partnership, the Round Rock Campus and the Mexico Queretaro Campus. The department also offers a BA, a BS with a computer engineering concentration and a BS/MS. Students cannot major and minor, or double major, within the department.
• Grades: a C or better in all computer science and math courses used for the major, plus 3 hours of technical writing (ENG 3303 or ENG 3313) with a C or better.
• Hours: 46 hours of computer science, including one project course chosen from Compiler Construction (CS 4318), CS 4326, Parallel Programming (CS 4380) or Software Engineering Project (CS 4398); at least 36 advanced hours (3000/4000 level); 9 hours of writing-intensive courses.
• Main courses (catalog four-year plan): Foundations of Computer Science I and II (C++), Assembly Language, Computer Ethics, CS 2325, 3354, 3358, 3360, 3398 and 4371, plus advanced electives; math includes Calculus I and II and MATH 2358, 3305 and 3398; physics is Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism with labs.
• Math minor: required courses cover 14 of the 20 hours for a Mathematics or Applied Mathematics minor, and the plan adds the two remaining courses.
• Language: two years of the same language in high school meets the requirement; otherwise two college semesters of the same modern language are added.
• Experiential credit: at most 3 hours from co-op, internship, undergraduate research and similar courses count toward the major elective.

2. Admission and entering the major

• Pre-major first: the BS in Computer Science is on the list of majors with additional entry requirements. Admitted students are placed in pre-computer science and must be qualified to enroll in Calculus I (MATH 2471), shown by any of: SAT Math 600 (tests after March 1, 2016), ACT Math 27, Accuplacer Next-Generation Advanced Algebra and Functions 276–300, a C or better in MATH 2417 or MATH 2471 (or equivalent), or AP credit for either course.
• BA: that list names only the BS in Computer Science and the computer engineering concentration, not the BA; check the catalog or admissions for BA requirements.
• International first-year applicants: need the equivalent of a US high school diploma and must meet freshman standards and English requirements. The credentials page says a recalculated GPA of 2.74 (a B average) over the last three years will likely lead to admission, but this is not guaranteed.
• Testing: the international requirements page says test scores are only required for English proficiency. The freshman standards page says SAT/ACT is not required for students in the top 75% of their class, while fourth-quartile students must submit scores that meet assured admission; students from non-ranking schools are assigned a rank based on courses, grades and GPA.
• Assured admission (US high schools, for reference): top 25% no minimum score; second quartile ACT 22 or SAT 1090; third quartile ACT 26 or SAT 1250; fourth quartile ACT 29 or SAT 1330.

3. Deadlines and documents (international first-year)

• Applications: TXST Application, Common App or ApplyTexas. The application fee is USD 90, non-refundable, and international students are not eligible for fee waivers.
• Deadlines: the deadline page currently lists only fall 2026 (international freshman priority date December 1, 2025; deadline June 1, 2026) and spring 2027 (international freshman deadline October 1, 2026). Fall 2027 dates have not been posted yet; watch the deadline page. Admissions advises applying by the priority date to meet the scholarship deadline, and visa applicants should finish at least a month before the deadline.
• Documents: secondary transcripts for every semester and graduation or school-leaving exam results, as originals or copies certified by the school or a US embassy or consulate, with certified translations if not in English. Texas State evaluates foreign records in-house and does not use third-party agencies such as WES.

4. English requirements

• Test scores (one is enough; no more than two years old): TOEFL iBT 78 (19 per section, 18 in writing; new 6-point scale total 4 and 4 per section), IELTS 6.5 (6.0 per section), Duolingo 105, PTE 52, SAT EBRW 520, ACT English 21, IB English 4, GCE/GCSE/IGCSE non-ESL English grade C, or Cambridge B2 First and above at 176.
• Coursework: three full years of regular English at an accredited US high school, or 30+ transferable credits including College Writing I and II with grades of C or higher.
• Exempt countries: holders of the equivalent of a US high school diploma from a listed country are exempt; the list includes Canada (except Quebec). China is not on the list.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Credentials: the China page asks for the last year of junior secondary (if not yet graduated) and all senior secondary transcripts, plus the Secondary School Graduation Certificate if graduated; a B average and a recalculated GPA of at least 2.74 over the last three years (not a guarantee). The scale converts 90–100 to A, 80–89 to B and 70–79 to C.
• Gaokao: the credentials page does not mention the Gaokao; whether or how it is used is not published. Ask admissions.
• A-Level: the Cambridge page asks for O-Level/IGCSE, AS and A-Level results with a B average; Cambridge students are not exempt from English. A and AS Level results can earn credit.
• IB: Diploma students send transcripts and final IB scores; IB English 4 or higher can meet the English requirement.
• Calculus: show Calculus I readiness with SAT Math 600, ACT Math 27 or AP calculus credit.

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

• English: students in BC and the other English-speaking provinces are exempt; Quebec is not.
• Credentials: send grade 9 (if not yet graduated) and grades 10–12 transcripts; a B average and a recalculated GPA of at least 2.74 over the last three years (not a guarantee).
• BC conversion: the Canada page converts BC marks of 86–100 to A, 73–85 to B and 60–72 to C.

7. Transfer students

• Standards: 14 or fewer transferable hours require a 2.0 GPA plus freshman standards; 15–29 hours require 2.5; 30+ hours require 2.25. English requirements match first-year students.
• Deadlines: the international transfer deadline was June 15, 2026 for fall 2026 and is October 15, 2026 for spring 2027.
• Transfer credit: 26–32 hours of computer science field-of-study courses can transfer from Texas public institutions; ask the department about additional CS courses. Admissions evaluates credit from international institutions in-house.
• Entering the major: transfers also start as pre-majors and need Calculus I readiness; requirements for switching in from another Texas State major are not stated separately on the pages we read, so ask College of Science and Engineering advising.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 international estimate (undergraduate, 12 hours, fall and spring): non-resident tuition and fees USD 19,700 plus 9 months of living expenses USD 20,900, for a total of USD 40,600; USD 30,900 at resident rates. The same page’s text refers to a 2025–2026 cost graphic, so check the latest version.
• Assured Scholarships: based on SAT/ACT and class rank (or an IB or AP Capstone Diploma), and the page says they are guaranteed to qualified nonresidents, including international students; SAT or ACT scores are required. The top President’s Honor Scholarship is USD 12,000 a year with SAT 1420 or ACT 32 plus top 25%, an IB diploma or an AP Capstone Diploma; other tiers pay USD 4,000–8,000 a year. Renewal requires a 3.25 GPA and 28 hours a year.
• Merit Scholarship: applicants without SAT/ACT who are in the top 35% or hold an IB diploma get an academic review; amounts vary, and international students are reviewed.
• Nonresident tuition waiver: nonresidents with at least USD 1,000 in competitive or merit scholarships may pay in-state tuition; the page lists conditions such as lawful presence and Selective Service registration (or exemption). Ask the scholarship office whether it applies to international students.
• Good Neighbor Scholarship: for students from Western Hemisphere nations other than Cuba and the US, covering the difference between resident and nonresident tuition; apply by March 1. Canadian students should confirm eligibility with the scholarship office.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Watch for fall 2027 dates (fall 2026 closed June 1, with a December 1 priority date)
• Prepare TOEFL 78, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105; aim for a B average over the last three years
• Prepare proof of Calculus I readiness (SAT Math 600, ACT Math 27 or AP)
• Submit SAT/ACT for Assured Scholarships

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

• English-speaking provinces are exempt; BC 73+ counts as B, with a B average over three years

Transfer students:

• GPA 2.25 with 30+ hours; Calculus I readiness

Sources: Texas State University, BS in Computer Science (2026-2027 catalog); Department of Computer Science (catalog); ABET accreditation; International admission requirements; Freshman admission standards; Additional program requirements; Priority dates and deadlines; China credentials; Canada credentials; Cambridge credentials; IB credentials; 2026-2027 F-1 cost estimate; International scholarships; Freshman scholarships. The deadline page currently lists dates only through fall 2026 and spring 2027. Check Texas State’s website for the latest.