How to Apply for Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse: the Computer Science B.S. with no separate admission, a 54-credit major and Cybersecurity or AI emphases, a USD 25 international fee and priority deadlines, TOEFL 4.0 and a scholarship of up to USD 5,000, and requirements for students in China, Canada and transfer students

The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (UWL) is in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Its computer science degree is offered by the Department of Computer Science and Computer Engineering in the College of Science and Health. This guide summarizes what the university publishes 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.

Degree and courses

• Degree: Computer Science B.S. The department also offers a Computer Engineering B.S. and a master’s in software engineering. The website states that the Computer Engineering B.S. is ABET accredited; the department pages do not describe accreditation for the Computer Science B.S.
• Major credits: the 2026-27 catalog lists a 54-credit major (a 39-credit core plus 15 credits), while the department page says 52 credits; follow the catalog and your advisor. The degree requires at least 120 credits, including at least 40 at the 300/400 level.
• Core (39 credits): CPE 105 Introduction to the Computing Environment, CS 120 Software Design I, CS 220 Software Design II, CS 225 Discrete Computational Structures (MTH 225 may substitute), CS 270 Assembler Programming, C Programming and Computer Organization, CS 340 Abstract Data Types, CS 364 Database Management Systems, CS 370 Computer Architecture, CS 421 Programming Language Concepts, CS 441 Operating System Concepts, CS 442 Structures of Compilers, and MTH 207 Calculus I.
• Additional 15 credits: CS 440 Software Engineering plus 12 elective credits, no more than six at the 100/200 level. Electives cover web design, software testing, algorithm complexity, software exploitation, mobile development, robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, information security, parallel and distributed computing, networks, the Internet of Things, graphics and computer engineering courses.
• Emphases: optional Cybersecurity or Artificial Intelligence emphases; the Cybersecurity emphasis requires the same number of credits as the standard major. A Computer Engineering Technology emphasis serves transfer students from Western Technical College.
• Dual degree: students can add one year to earn both the Computer Science B.S. and a master’s in software engineering, in standard and cybersecurity versions.
• College requirements: College of Science and Health B.S. students take two math/statistics courses (or one math/statistics and one CS course) and two lab science courses, one outside the major department. Students in non-exempt programs must also complete a second major, a minor outside the major, two certificates or another listed option; the exemption list names only the Computer Engineering Technology emphasis of computer science, not the standard major. All majors take the computer science major field test, used only for program assessment.
• Math starting point: the department says the major assumes no prior computing experience, and placement at the precalculus level (MTH 151) matters for starting the major in the first semester. The catalog gives two sample plans, starting with MTH 151 or with MTH 207 Calculus I.
• Grades: graduation requires a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and at least 2.00 in each major and minor; the catalog notes some programs require more.
• Internships: CS internship courses require 15 CS credits including CS 220 and a 2.50 CS GPA; internship credits do not count toward the major.

How admission works

• Entering the major: the department says there is currently no separate admission to computer science programs; students in the college simply declare the major or minor.
• College progress rule: the College of Science and Health requires a declared major (undeclared does not count) by 60 credits; otherwise an advising hold is placed on registration.
• First-year review: holistic, with course rigor and the transcript most important. The middle 50% of admitted students ranked in the 68th to 90th percentile, and the average unweighted GPA is 3.68. ACT/SAT is optional; the middle 50% of admitted students scored ACT 23-27 or SAT 1130-1270. Two essays (250-650 words each) are required; up to two recommendation letters are optional.
• International students: the international undergraduate page lists no GPA or test requirement, so minimum academic requirements for international applicants are not published; ask the international admissions counselor.

Application timeline and materials (international undergraduates)

• Dates: the international undergraduate page lists, for fall entry, applications opening August 1 with a July 15 priority deadline and classes in September; for spring entry, applications opening April 1 with a December 15 priority deadline and classes in January.
• For reference (U.S. first-year applicants): fall 2027 applications open August 1, with February 1 as the priority deadline and later applications considered as space allows.
• Application: the online Universities of Wisconsin application, with a non-refundable USD 25 fee paid by credit card.
• Materials (emailed to international admissions): official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary schools (with certified English translations; school-issued course descriptions for any post-secondary study outside the U.S.), English scores, the Affidavit of Support with a current bank statement from the sponsor, and the passport photo page.
• Decisions: mailed by USPS about one to two weeks after the file is complete; status can be checked in WINGS.

English requirements

• Non-native English speakers submit one of: TOEFL iBT 4.0, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 100, PTE Academic 54, or completion of WESLI level 700.
• Waivers: the international undergraduate page does not list waiver countries or conditions; ask international admissions.

Students at high schools in China

• Records: official high school transcripts with certified English translations; the minimum grades for Chinese high school records are not published.
• English: TOEFL 4.0, IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 100 or PTE 54.
• Gaokao: how Gaokao results are used is not published; ask international admissions.
• A-Level, IB, AP: credit rules were not on the pages reviewed; ask admissions. The CS department offers credit by exam for CS 120 (a written test plus a programming assignment); passing earns 4 credits with a grade of S that does not count in the GPA.
• Department: the department lists China among the home countries of its international undergraduate and MSE students, and says students from South Central University for Nationalities and Wuhan University may also contact Prof. Mao Zheng.

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• The website has no separate requirements for Canadian or BC applicants. How BC diplomas and grades are evaluated and whether Canadian students are exempt from English testing are not published; ask international admissions.
• The application process, fee and materials are the same as for other international students.

Transfer students

• GPA: a cumulative transferable GPA of 2.25 or higher makes a stronger candidate; 2.00-2.24 may be considered if space is available. Leadership, activities, essays and recommendations are also considered.
• Credits: applicants who did not meet first-year requirements after high school need at least 18 transferable credits to apply as transfers.
• International transfers: submit the materials on the international undergraduate page, including all college transcripts and English scores; post-secondary study outside the U.S. needs school-issued course descriptions for credit evaluation.
• Entering computer science: the department says there is no separate admission; ask the department about progress and credit planning after transfer.

Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 international undergraduate estimate (two semesters): tuition and fees USD 21,077, international fees USD 500, orientation fee USD 175 for new students, housing USD 5,801, meals USD 3,336, health insurance USD 1,958 and personal expenses USD 2,000, totaling USD 34,847. A USD 25 registration fee per term and other charges also apply.
• Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship for New International Students: students can apply after admission with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4-point scale; up to USD 5,000 a year, renewable with a 3.0 UWL GPA. Admissions explains how to apply in the acceptance email.
• I-Engage Scholarship: current F-1 undergraduates with a 2.5 GPA who are active in campus and community programming can apply each semester; amounts vary.
• Other: UWL’s merit and non-resident scholarships consider admission before the February 1 priority deadline, GPA, class rank and ACT/SAT; the pages do not say whether international students are eligible. International students cannot receive U.S. federal aid.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• For fall, complete your file before the July 15 priority deadline and leave time for the visa
• Prepare TOEFL 4.0, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 100; aim for precalculus-level math placement
• With a GPA of 3.0 or higher, watch for the Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship after admission
• Ask international admissions about requirements for Chinese high school records and the Gaokao

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

• Ask international admissions how BC diplomas are evaluated and whether English testing is waived

Transfer students:

• Aim for a transferable GPA of 2.25 or higher; prepare course descriptions; consider credit by exam if you have covered CS 120 material

Sources: University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, 2026-27 catalog: Computer Science B.S.; 2026-27 catalog: Computer Science & Computer Engineering; 2026-27 catalog: College of Science and Health; CS department home; CS department undergraduate programs; CS department credit by exam; CS department international students; International undergraduate admission; First-year admission guidelines; First-year dates and deadlines; Transfer admission guidelines; Cost to attend; Scholarships; Non-resident scholarship and tuition programs; International student scholarships. Courses follow the 2026-2027 catalog and costs are for 2026-27. Check UW-La Crosse’s website for the latest.