How to apply to Computer Science at Valparaiso University: the BA (32 CS credits) and BS (36), the math starting point, free test-optional application, May 1 international fall deadline, English requirements, GPA-based merit scholarships, and what students in China, Canadian high school students and transfers need to know

Valparaiso University (Valpo) is a private university in Valparaiso, Indiana, about 72 km from Chicago. Computer Science is offered by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences. This guide summarizes Valpo’s official information 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

• Two degrees: a BA or BS in Computer Science. The program page says the BA requires 32 credits of computer science courses and the BS requires 36, two-thirds of which are exploratory electives.
• Math starting point: to begin courses in the program, a student must place into MATH 115 or higher; the major eventually requires math through Calculus I (MATH 131), plus statistics and Discrete Math (MATH 220).
• Shared major requirements (at least 32 credits):
  • CS 157 Algorithms and Programming (3), CS 158 Algorithms and Abstract Data Types (3), CS 493 Seminar in Professional Practices (2);
  • at least 12 more credits of CS or allowed electives numbered 300 or above, with the rest numbered 200 or above;
  • math: MATH 126 (Calculus and Functions Part II) or MATH 131 (Calculus I), plus MATH 220 Discrete Mathematics;
  • non-CS courses allowed as CS electives: DATA 151 Introduction to Data Science, ECE 221 Digital Logic Design, MATH 371 Experimental Mathematics, DATA 374 Computational Linear Algebra, DATA 433 Data Mining and Applications.
• BS adds: CS 250, plus either CS 354 and CS 356, or CS 372.
• Core: all students except those in Christ College (the Honors College) complete the university core, the Valparaiso University Experience (VUE).
• Total degree credits: not stated on the program page we read; ask the department. The page does not mention ABET accreditation.
• Minor: a 15-credit CS minor is open to other majors.

2. Admission and applying

• Direct entry: the pages we read do not give a separate admission threshold for CS or conditions for switching in, only the MATH 115 placement needed to start courses; confirm with admissions.
• How to apply: Valpo’s online application or the Common App; applying is free.
• Testing: test-optional; to have SAT/ACT considered, indicate so on the application and send scores. AP, IB and other college-level test scores can also be sent.
• Essay: a personal essay is not required for general freshman applicants, but the international undergraduate page lists a reflective essay as required for international applicants, covering why you want to study in the U.S., why Valpo, your interest in the program and how it supports your professional development.

3. International freshman materials and deadlines

• Materials: application, reflective essay, a copy of both sides of your passport, English proof, three years of high school transcripts with English translations (unofficial accepted for review, official required on enrollment), and proof of financial support.
• Evaluations: the page says applications showing non-U.S. accredited high school or college coursework can be evaluated at the applicant’s expense; Valpo recommends WES or International Education Evaluation course-by-course reports and accepts any NACES member.
• Financial proof: a financial support form or sponsorship letter plus the sponsor’s bank statement or a scholarship letter, submitted before the admission decision and I-20; documents older than 12 months are not valid, and liquid funds for the first year must be shown.
• Deadlines (no year shown): all materials by May 1 for fall (decision June 1) and October 1 for spring (decision November 1). Incomplete applications are deferred to the next semester. International students arrive about one week before classes for orientation.

4. English requirements

• TOEFL iBT 75, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 105, PTE 56, iTEP 3.8.
• SAT Reading and Writing 500, or ACT English 24.
• GCE or GCSE (O/A Level) English grade A or B; IB Higher Level English 5, 6 or 7, or grade A or B.
• Transfers with 24 credits from a U.S. college, or two consecutive years at and graduation from a U.S. high school, also qualify.
• By country: applicants whose country of permanent residence is Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and several others are exempt.
• ELS Level 112 or INTERLINK Level 6 also qualify. Counselor letters and EF SET are not accepted.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: not published; ask international admissions.
• Transcripts: three years of high school transcripts with English translations; a course-by-course evaluation through WES or similar is an option.
• English: China is not on the exempt list, so submit one of the scores above; A-Level or IB English at the listed grades also counts.
• AP, IB and A-Level credit: the department has a math placement and AP credit page; A-Level credit rules are not on the pages we read, so ask Valpo.
• Timing: complete all materials by May 1 for fall; visa wait times vary by country, so Valpo advises applying for the visa early.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: permanent residents of Canada (except Quebec) are exempt.
• BC: grade requirements for BC courses are not published; ask admissions how grades are reviewed and converted to a GPA.
• Scholarships: merit awards use high school GPA bands, so ask how Canadian grades convert.

7. Transfer students

• Applying: online, Common App or a printed application; each previous school must send official transcripts directly to admissions (transcripts you send yourself are unofficial).
• High school transcript: required if you have fewer than 24 college credits.
• GPA and deadlines: the transfer pages we read do not give a minimum GPA. The international undergraduate deadlines (May 1 for fall, October 1 for spring) do not distinguish freshmen from transfers, so international transfers should confirm with admissions.
• Scholarships: new transfers, like freshmen, are considered for merit scholarships automatically at application.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 cost of attendance (on-campus freshman): bachelor’s tuition (12–19 credits a semester) USD 50,650, general fee USD 1,630, housing average USD 9,326 (standard double), food average USD 5,894, books USD 960, personal USD 1,870, for a total of USD 70,330.
• Freshman merit scholarships: considered automatically at application with no separate process; renewal requires full-time enrollment and Satisfactory Academic Progress. For 2027-2028, domestic and international freshmen are both considered, at the same amounts:
  • high school GPA 4.20 or higher: Board of Directors Scholarship, USD 35,000;
  • 3.40–4.19: Presidential Scholarship, USD 31,000–33,000;
  • 3.0–3.39: Beacon Scholarship, USD 30,000;
  • 2.8–2.99: Leadership Award, USD 25,000.
• Dr. Hugh McGuigan Scholarship: a one-time award for international students on F-1 or J-1 visas who are sophomores or above, have completed at least two semesters at Valpo, hold a 3.0 undergraduate GPA and show leadership; incoming freshmen are not eligible.
• Valpo asks students to add its school code (001842) to the FAFSA for maximum scholarship consideration; ask financial aid whether this applies to international students.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare TOEFL 75, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 105
• Write the reflective essay; prepare three years of transcripts with translations, a passport copy and financial proof
• Complete materials by May 1 for fall (free application, test-optional)
• Ask whether Gaokao scores are used and how your grades convert to a GPA

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

• Canada (except Quebec) is exempt from English testing
• Ask how BC grades convert to a GPA to estimate your scholarship band

Transfer students:

• Have every previous school send official transcripts; add a high school transcript if you have fewer than 24 credits
• International transfers plan for May 1 (fall) or October 1 (spring) and confirm with admissions

Sources: Valparaiso University, Computer Science program; Department of Mathematics and Computer Science; International undergraduate admission; Undergraduate admission process; Transfer admission process; 2026-2027 undergraduate cost of attendance; Freshman scholarships; International scholarships. Costs are 2026-2027 rates and scholarships are 2027-2028 amounts; check Valpo’s website for the latest.