How to apply to Computer Science at Butler University: the BA/BS with about 54 major credits, three tracks and a three-year path, Common App, test-optional admission, Early Action on November 1, English requirements, academic scholarships open to international students, and what students in China, Canadian high school students and transfers need to know

Butler University is a private university in Indianapolis, Indiana. Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. This guide summarizes Butler’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. The program page says the BA suits a more multidisciplinary approach and the BS a more technical one with emphasis on math, technology and science. The pages we read do not list the extra courses for each degree; full requirements are in the bulletin, which we could not access.
• Credits: the department’s requirements page says graduation needs at least 120 credit hours with a 2.0 GPA; major requirements are about 54 credit hours and the core up to 27; students also complete 6 credits of a foreign language at the 200 level or above, and at least 40 credit hours at the 300 level or above overall (the CS major itself requires at least 25 at the 300 level).
• Major courses: CS151 Foundations of Computing I, CS252 Foundations of Computing II, CS248 Object-Oriented Programming and Data Structures, CS311 Career Preparation, CS321 Computer Organization, CS333 Database Systems, CS341 Advanced Data Structures, CS351 Algorithms, SE361 Object-Oriented Design, CS382 or CS383 (EPICS II), CS485 Computer Ethics, CS452 Parallel Algorithms, CS473 Topics in Computer Science, one systems course (CS431, CS435 or SE461–3) and one theory course (CS441, CS445, CS447, CS451 or CS458).
• Math: MA106 Calculus I, MA107 Calculus II and MA215 Linear Algebra. MA205 Discrete Mathematics can replace CS151, and MA305 Graph Theory can replace CS252.
• Three optional tracks: Cybersecurity (CS435, CS439, CS458), Artificial Intelligence (CS445, plus CS446 or CS448) and Game Design (SE342, SE463, plus CS445 or CS447).
• Three years: Butler publishes a recommended three-year path that uses both summer terms; the first semester includes CS142 Introduction to Computer Science and Programming, CS151 and Calculus I.
• Advice: the department strongly recommends adding at least a minor. The program pages do not mention ABET accreditation.
• Direct entry: the pages we read do not give a separate entry threshold for CS or conditions for switching in; confirm with admissions.

2. First-year application

• How to apply: the Common App, with a non-refundable USD 50 fee; students with financial need may qualify for a Common App fee waiver.
• Materials: an essay of 650 words or less (a Common App prompt or your own topic), the high school transcript through junior year, and the School Report. Test scores, a résumé and recommendation letters are optional.
• High school courses: 4 years of English, 3 of math, 3 of lab science, 3 of social studies/history and 2 of the same world language; Computer Science applicants should take additional math and science.
• Testing: optional; SAT and ACT accepted. For the fall 2026 entering class, the middle 50% for score submitters was ACT 26–31 and SAT 1170–1340, and GPA 3.62–4.17.
• Deadlines (fall entry):
  • Early Action November 1 (non-binding), with full scholarship consideration, priority for the Honors Program and a decision by December;
  • Regular Decision February 1, with rolling admission afterwards but less chance of scholarships and admission;
  • enrollment deposit by May 1;
  • Early Decision is used only for Nursing.
• Spring entry: open to first-year and transfer students; November 1 is the scholarship priority deadline, with rolling admission afterwards.

3. Extra requirements for international first-years

• Same application: international applicants use the standard first-year process (Common App), with no separate international application, and the same Early Action (November 1) and Regular Decision (February 1) deadlines.
• Additional items: English proof, a passport copy, the Immigration/Visa Status form and the Acknowledgment of Costs form, in which you confirm you can fund expenses not covered by the highest level of merit scholarships and state the amount you expect to contribute.
• Transcripts: unofficial transcripts are accepted for review; if admitted, each school sends originals or certified copies directly, with certified English translations. A credential evaluation is not required up front but may be requested later.
• Financial evidence (after admission, for the I-20): at least USD 73,980 for undergraduates, in documents less than six months old and in or officially translated into English.

4. English requirements

• Duolingo 100, TOEFL iBT 79, IELTS 6.0, PTE 53.
• SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 500, or ACT English 19.
• MELAB 80, Michigan English Test 55.
• GCE/GCSE English grade A or B; IB HL English 5–7 or grade A or B.
• By country: TOEFL may not be required of applicants from Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other listed countries.
• If your English falls short: the Program for Intensive English (PIE) at IU Indianapolis is an alternative pathway; after passing Level 6, send results to Butler to continue. PIE has its own application.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: not published; ask your international admission counselor.
• English: China is not on the TOEFL-waiver list, so submit one of the scores above; GCE/GCSE English A or B or qualifying IB HL English also counts.
• AP and IB: students who complete AP, IB or dual-credit courses are eligible for advanced course placement; see Butler’s test credit page. A-Level credit rules are not on the pages we read; ask Butler.
• Timing: apply by Early Action on November 1 for full scholarship consideration.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: Canada (except Quebec) is on the list of countries whose applicants may not need TOEFL; confirm with your counselor.
• BC: grade requirements for BC courses are not published; ask your admission counselor.
• Status: Butler defines international students as anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, so Canadian citizens follow the international process.

7. Transfer students

• Who is a transfer: students who have completed 12 or more credit hours at an accredited college after high school, or who are seeking a second bachelor’s degree.
• Deadlines: July 15 is the fall scholarship priority deadline, with rolling admission afterwards; November 1 is the spring priority deadline.
• Materials: international transfers include syllabi or course descriptions for credit evaluation.
• Entering CS: the pages we read do not give conditions for transfers entering Computer Science; ask the department.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026–2027 cost of attendance: tuition USD 50,860, estimated housing and food USD 17,730 (average double and full meal plan for first-years), fees USD 990, for direct costs of USD 69,580; books, transportation and other expenses about USD 5,500; total USD 75,080.
• What international students can receive: the first-year scholarship page says international students may receive full consideration for all Butler gift programs except the Morey/Berry Family Tuition Guarantee and the Butler University Grant. Gift aid is for tuition only and for full-time students pursuing a first bachelor’s degree.
• Academic Scholarship: no separate application beyond the Common App; applying by November 1 and being admitted Early Action gives maximum consideration. 2026–2027 amounts range from USD 20,000 to USD 34,000, based on the academic record and test scores (if submitted), included with the admission offer and renewable with the stated criteria.
• Morton-Finney Scholars Award: for academic rigor and a commitment to inclusion; submit the Common App by November 1 and the award application by November 15; USD 5,000 to full tuition.
• Compass Center Scholarship: fewer than 10 incoming students a year, USD 4,000 a year; requires Early Action or Early Decision admission and a separate application.
• International students are not eligible for U.S. federal aid; private education loans with a U.S. citizen or permanent resident co-signer may be an option.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 100
• Submit the Common App by November 1 (USD 50 fee, test-optional) with an essay of 650 words or less
• Prepare a passport copy, the visa status form and the Acknowledgment of Costs; after admission, show at least USD 73,980
• Ask your counselor whether Gaokao scores are used

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

• Confirm the TOEFL waiver (Canada outside Quebec is listed)
• Confirm how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Apply after 12 credits; for scholarships, apply by July 15 for fall or November 1 for spring
• Prepare syllabi or course descriptions

Sources: Butler University, Computer Science program; Department major requirements; Three-year path; Applying as a first-year student; Applying as an international student and deadlines; English proficiency requirements; International student aid; First-year scholarships; 2026–2027 cost of attendance; Transfer admission. Costs and scholarships are 2026–2027 figures; check Butler’s website for the latest.