How to apply to Computer Science at the University of San Diego: the 124-unit BS and BA in the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering, four concentrations, undeclared admission with no impacted majors, the 4+1 combined master’s, fall 2027 deadlines and test-free admission, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

The University of San Diego (USD) is a private Catholic university in San Diego, California. It offers a BS and a BA in Computer Science through the Shiley-Marcos School of Engineering. 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. Degrees and courses

• Units: the 2026-27 BS and BA checklists both list 124 units, including at least 48 upper-division units.
• First courses: Computational Problem Solving (COMP 110, in Python) and Programming Abstractions and Methodologies (COMP 120). The department suggests trying a class or two to see if computer science fits.
• BS:
  • Math and science, 23 units: Calculus I and II (MATH 150, 151), Discrete Math (MATH 262), Linear Algebra (MATH 320), Engineering Probability and Statistics (ISYE 330) and two natural sciences with labs.
  • Computer science core, 14 units: COMP 110, 120, 230 (Advanced Computational Problem Modeling) and 280 (Introduction to Computer Systems).
  • Required courses, 18.5 units: Computer Ethics or Ethics of AI and Robotics (PHIL 345 or 348), Object-Oriented Software Design (COMP 305), Automata and Formal Languages (COMP 370), Algorithms (COMP 480) and Senior Project I and II (COMP 491, 492).
  • Two systems courses (digital hardware, operating systems, networking) and three computer science electives (9 units).
• BA: 10 units of math and science (Calculus I, Discrete Math, and Probability and Statistics or Linear Algebra), the same 14-unit core, 15.5 required units, one systems course and three computer science electives.
• Grades: most CS prerequisites on the checklists require C- or higher.
• Career readiness: both degrees require the Connect program (12 points).
• Concentrations: embedded software development, data science and artificial intelligence, human-computer interaction, and cybersecurity; all are optional.
• 4+1 combined master’s: CS undergraduates can apply to combined programs with the MS in Applied Data Science or the MS in Cyber Security Engineering; most require a cumulative GPA of about 3.0 and students usually apply in their junior year. Admitted students can count up to 12 graduate units toward both degrees.
• Accreditation: the engineering school describes its programs as accredited, but the computer science pages we read do not state ABET accreditation for computer science.

2. How admission works: undeclared entry

• The engineering school’s high school page says all USD students are admitted as undeclared and there are no impacted majors, so admitted students are free to choose any major, including computer science.
• High school preparation: the engineering school recommends as much math as possible through advanced algebra and trigonometry; calculus is not required but helps, and AP Calculus earns credit. Take at least one year each of biology and chemistry; physics is helpful but not required.
• Recommended high school plan: English 4 years, math 3–4, science 3–4 (2 with lab), world language 3–4 and social studies 2 or more. USD calculates a weighted GPA that gives credit for honors, AP and IB classes.

3. Dates and materials (first-year)

• Fall 2027 deadlines (USD says new deadlines take effect with the fall 2027 class):
  • Early Action and Early Decision I: November 1, 2026;
  • Early Decision II: January 5, 2027;
  • Regular Decision: January 15, 2027.
  An FAQ on the requirements page still refers to “Fall 2026” with the same dates.
• Decisions: ED I early December, EA mid-December, ED II late January, RD mid-March. Confirm enrollment by January 10 (ED I), February 10 (ED II) or May 1 (EA and RD).
• Spring entry: first-year and transfer applicants follow a Regular Decision timeline with an October 1 deadline and rolling decisions.
• Materials: the Common App, USD Member Questions and essay, one academic recommendation (counselor or academic teacher), official high school transcript, and a USD 75 fee.
• Testing: admission is test-free for fall 2027 applicants.
• International first-years also submit: annual grades for each high school year translated into English, national exam results such as GCSE or A-Levels, and English scores (below). Applicants who attended an English language program need a letter from the program instructor; anyone with a gap in education should explain it.
• Housing: the tuition page says students must live on campus for at least two years unless their primary residence is in San Diego County.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) 80; from January 2026, 4.5 on the new scale.
• IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 120 or LanguageCert Academic 70. Scores must be no more than two years old.
• Waivers: attending or graduating from a school abroad where English is the primary language of instruction; taking AP English or IB English; A-Level English at C or better; Cambridge English B2, C1 or C2; four years of mainstream English at a US high school; or C or better in college English composition at a US college.
• Students who need more English can look at the USD Pathway Program.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Accepted credential: the international page lists the Senior High School Graduation Certificate for China.
• Gaokao: USD does not publish how Gaokao scores are used; ask international admissions (intladmissions@sandiego.edu).
• A-Level, IB and AP: AP and IB scores earn credit when sent directly by the College Board or the IB Organization; passing A-Level subjects are evaluated by departments after enrollment.
• English: students at English-medium international schools, in AP or IB English, or with A-Level English at C may qualify for a waiver.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• Accepted credential: the international page lists the Secondary School Graduation Diploma for British Columbia, the Secondary Leaving Certificate plus up to one year of CEGEP for Québec, and the OSSD for Ontario.
• English: students attending or graduating from a school where English is the primary language of instruction can have the requirement waived.
• Grades: USD does not publish specific BC grade requirements; ask admissions.
• US citizens or permanent residents studying in Canada apply under the US first-year requirements.

7. Transfer students

• Recommended: at least 24 semester units (or 36 quarter units) of transferable coursework with a 3.0 cumulative GPA; strong grades in English Composition and Literature and College Algebra get preference.
• Engineering school advice: computer science transfers should complete Calculus I, Calculus II, Linear Algebra and Discrete Math; all CS courses are evaluated individually.
• Deadlines: fall priority February 1 and regular June 30, with rolling decisions; spring October 1.
• Materials: all college transcripts; for colleges abroad, a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES member (such as WES, ECE, IERF or TEC), without which the application is incomplete; the final high school transcript; two short essays; English scores; an optional recommendation.
• Application fee differs: the requirements page lists USD 75 for international transfers, while the international and abroad transfer page lists USD 55. Check the amount shown in the application.
• Credit: general education classes with C- or better usually transfer; transfer work counts for units only and not in the USD GPA; the official credit analysis happens after enrollment is confirmed.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 international cost of attendance: tuition USD 64,100, fees USD 1,099, mandatory health insurance USD 4,158 (estimate), standard double room USD 13,450, meal plan USD 5,750, and books, travel and personal expenses USD 6,675, for a total of USD 95,232. F-1 students must document funds of at least this amount.
• Extra units: 12–18 units per semester are covered by full-time tuition; each unit above 18 costs USD 2,210.
• Scholarships (two statements differ):
  • The Merit Scholarships section of the international page says the admission office offers merit scholarships to international first-year and transfer applicants, varying in amount and renewable with a minimum GPA; numbers are limited and there is no need-based aid.
  • The Cost of Attendance section of the same page says USD does not offer institutional financial aid to international students.
  • The two statements differ, and merit amounts and criteria are not published; ask international admissions.
• International students are also eligible for athletic scholarships through the recruiting coach.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Submit EA or ED I by November 1, 2026, or RD by January 15, 2027
• Prepare TOEFL 80 (4.5 on the new scale), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 120, or check whether a waiver applies
• Prepare English transcripts, the graduation certificate and one academic recommendation
• Ask international admissions whether Gaokao scores are used

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

• BC students submit the Secondary School Graduation Diploma and grades
• Confirm whether your English-medium school qualifies for the English waiver

Transfer students:

• Apply by the February 1 priority deadline for fall
• Complete Calculus I and II, Linear Algebra and Discrete Math
• Get a course-by-course evaluation for coursework abroad

Sources: University of San Diego, Computer Science; Curriculum and checklists; 2026-27 BS checklist; 2026-27 BA checklist; Combined master’s; Engineering: high school students; Engineering: transfer students; Application requirements; Admission timeline; International applicants (English, scholarships, costs); International and abroad transfer; Tuition and financial aid. Deadlines are for fall 2027 entry, courses follow the 2026-27 checklists and costs are for 2026-2027; check USD’s website for the latest.