How to apply to Computer Science at Youngstown State University: the BS in the STEM College with entry through the STEM-T pre-major, the 120-credit curriculum and cybersecurity track, the 4+1 BS/MS, a 2.0 international GPA minimum and GPA-based scholarships, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

Youngstown State University (YSU) is a public university in Youngstown, Ohio. Its BS in Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer Science and Information Systems in the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM College). 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

• Credits: the 2026-2027 catalog lists 120–126 credits for the BS. The same catalog page says in one place the degree can be finished in eight semesters at an average of 15 hours per semester, and in another at 16 hours; the two statements differ.
• Math: a mathematics minor is required, including Calculus 1 (MATH 1571), Calculus 2 (MATH 1572), Linear Algebra (MATH 3720) and Probability and Statistics (STAT 3743), plus one more math course to reach the 18-hour minor. The catalog says the major requires a significant mathematical background.
• Major requirements: Programming and Problem-Solving (CSIS 2610, or CSIS 1595 and CSIS 2605), Data Structures and Objects (CSIS 3700), Advanced Object-oriented Programming (CSIS 3701), Computer Organization (CSIS 3740), Introduction to Discrete Structures (CSCI 3710), Operating Systems (CSCI 5806), Software Engineering (CSCI 5801), Data Structures and Algorithms (CSCI 5870), Computer Projects (CSCI 4890, at least 2 hours) and a professional writing course (ENGL 3743 or INFO 3704).
• Major electives: at least 12 upper-division hours in CSCI or CSIS, or the STEM Internship (STEM 4890), including at least 9 hours from Development of Databases, Networking Concepts and Administration, Information Assurance, Concepts of Programming Languages, Automata Theory and the STEM Internship.
• General education: Writing 1 and 2, Professional Ethics (PHIL 2625), History of American Democracy (HIST 2650), two natural sciences (one with a lab), two social and behavioral sciences and 9 hours of general education electives.
• Cybersecurity Track: the same core, with track courses in databases, networking, information assurance, security design, computer forensics, computer network security and encoding and encryption; also 120–126 credits.
• 4+1 Graduate Track: 9 dual-credit hours count toward both the BS and the Master of Computing and Information Systems, so both degrees take five years; students must have a Dual Credit Form approved before registering for those courses.
• 3-year degree pathway: YSU also publishes a 3-year plan for the BS in Computer Science for students who enter with 28 hours already earned through coursework or credit by exam (writing, chemistry, Calculus 1, physics and others) and follow the semester plan.
• Accreditation: the STEM College accreditation page lists only ACS (chemistry), ABET EAC (engineering) and ABET ETAC (engineering technology); it does not list ABET accreditation for computer science.

2. How admission works: the STEM-T pre-major

• Pre-major first: the catalog says new students, former YSU students and external transfer students all enter as STEM-T majors (formerly Pre-Computer) in the STEM College.
• Moving into the CS major: students become eligible once they have completed all pre-college math (ready for MATH 1513, 1552 or higher) and pre-college English (ready for ENGL 1550). Intended CS students typically take MATH 1571 or CSIS 2610 before transferring into the major.
• Not a restricted program: the international freshman page lists restricted programs in health fields (dental hygiene, medical laboratory science, nursing, radiologic technology, respiratory care and others); computer science is not on that list.
• General statement: the catalog says meeting the admission requirements does not guarantee admission to specific programs.

3. International first-year requirements and dates

• GPA: a minimum high school GPA of 2.00 on the US 4.0 scale. Applicants with 3.5 or higher are encouraged to apply to the Sokolov Honors College as well.
• Testing: the catalog says SAT/ACT are optional and that some majors require scores for admission to the program. The international freshman page does not list SAT/ACT as required.
• Application fee: USD 75, non-refundable.
• Materials: online application, passport photo page, proof of English, high school diploma or completion certificate and official transcripts, and financial documents (the I-20 requires proof of at least one year of study and living costs).
• Deadlines (international undergraduates, no year shown):
  • International Programs Office deadlines page: fall June 1, spring October 1.
  • Catalog international admission page: fall June 1, spring November 1 (listed as priority deadlines).
  • The spring dates differ; confirm with international admissions (intadm@ysu.edu). Summer entry is not available to international students.
• Decision time: at least 10 business days after the file is complete.
• After admission: the new international student orientation is mandatory.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL iBT 67, or 4 on the 2026 scoring system.
• IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.0 on each band.
• Duolingo 95; PTE Academic 50.
• SAT reading/writing plus math of 920 or higher, or ACT composite 17 or higher, also counts.
• 24 semester hours at an English-medium college in the US or another country where English is an official language, or Level 5 at YSU’s English Language Institute (ELI), also counts.
• Scores older than two years at the start of the term are not accepted.
• If English falls short: conditional admission with ELI study, or a 1–2 semester International Pathway Program based on scores (the 1-semester pathway needs IELTS 5.0, TOEFL 46 or Duolingo 85).

5. Students at high schools in China

• Credential evaluation: the international freshman page lists the countries whose documents YSU evaluates itself (Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan and Thailand). Applicants from all other countries must submit an official evaluation from a NACES-approved agency; YSU names IEE, TEC and Scholaro. Mainland China is not on the self-evaluation list, so an evaluation is needed.
• Gaokao: YSU does not publish how Gaokao scores are used; ask international admissions.
• A-Level and IB: YSU’s O Level policy requires at least five O Level (or GCSE, IGCSE or similar) passes at “credit” standard from one sitting, including English at credit or distinction. The international admission pages we read do not say how much credit A-Level, IB or AP results earn; check with YSU.
• English: China is not on the exempt-country list, so an English score is required.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: Canada is on the list of countries whose applicants may be exempt from English testing (for study at an English-medium school or college). The page does not say whether Quebec is excluded; students at French-language schools should confirm with admissions.
• Credential evaluation: Canada is also not on the self-evaluation list, so the page requires a NACES-approved evaluation.
• BC: YSU does not publish specific BC grade requirements. Applicants are reviewed against the 2.00 minimum high school GPA (US 4.0 scale); ask admissions how BC grades are converted.

7. Transfer students

• Who counts: international applicants who have completed at least 12 semester hours at another college after high school.
• GPA: the international transfer page lists a minimum GPA of 2.00 (based on high school grades); the catalog says a minimum 2.0 GPA and good disciplinary standing at the previous institution, with higher requirements in some programs. Applicants at 2.0 or below may be considered for Special Admission.
• Materials: a course-by-course NACES evaluation; English course descriptions (in Word format) for courses taken at foreign universities; and high school records in the evaluation if fewer than 12 hours have been completed. The fee is also USD 75. English is waived after 24 credit hours at a US institution.
• Getting into CS: the catalog says external transfer students also enter as STEM-T majors and apply to the CS major once they meet the math and English criteria above.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 international undergraduate estimate (9 months, 12–18 credits): average tuition and fees USD 17,177, room and board USD 12,000, books USD 1,200, health insurance USD 1,491, total USD 31,868. Tuition and fees may vary by major and college.
• Locked tuition: first-time international undergraduates keep the tuition rate set at first enrollment for four consecutive years.
• International freshman GPA scholarship: for first-time bachelor’s students only, USD 1,000–3,000 a year, competitive:
  • High school GPA 3.0–3.39: USD 1,000 a year;
  • 3.4–3.69: USD 2,000 a year;
  • 3.7 or higher: USD 3,000 a year.
  Renewable for up to 4 years with 24 credits per year, at least 12 per term and a 3.0 GPA. Awards always start in fall, so spring starters pay full tuition for their first spring.
• Sokolov Honors College: international first-years with ACT 26 or SAT 1240 and a 3.5 high school GPA may apply; for 2026–2027, applicants without a test but with 3.5+ are encouraged to apply. Awards are USD 1,000 in tuition (renewable 2 more years) and USD 2,000 for housing (renewable 1 more year). International transfers need a 3.5 college GPA.
• YSU says it may adjust international scholarship awards based on available funding.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Get a NACES evaluation of your high school records (IEE, TEC, Scholaro or similar)
• Prepare TOEFL 67 (4 on the new scale), IELTS 6.0 (5.0 per band) or Duolingo 95
• Apply by June 1 for fall; plan for October 1 for spring and confirm with admissions
• Ask international admissions whether Gaokao scores are used

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

• Confirm the English exemption (Canada is on the exempt list)
• Confirm the evaluation requirement and how BC grades are converted

Transfer students:

• Prepare a course-by-course evaluation and English course descriptions
• Expect to start in STEM-T and apply to CS after finishing pre-college math and English

Sources: Youngstown State University, BS in Computer Science (2026-2027 catalog); Cybersecurity Track; 4+1 Graduate Track; Department and admission to the major; 3-year degree pathway; Catalog: international undergraduate admission; Apply as an international freshman; Apply as an international transfer student; Application deadlines; English proficiency requirements; 2026-2027 international costs; International scholarships; O Level policy. Courses follow the 2026-2027 catalog and costs are 2026-2027 estimates; check YSU’s website for the latest.