How to Apply for Computer Science at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire: the 60-credit Computer Science Comprehensive Major (B.A. or B.S.) with no minor required, a June 1 international deadline, USD 25 fee and TOEFL 4.0, out-of-state awards of USD 4,000 or 8,000 a year, and requirements for students in China, Canada and transfer students

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC) is in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Its computer science degree is offered by the Computer Science Department in the College of Arts and Sciences. 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, Comprehensive Major (Liberal Arts), leading to a B.A. or B.S., on the Eau Claire campus. The department also offers Computer Science - Software Engineering and an Artificial Intelligence major. The pages reviewed do not mention ABET accreditation for computer science.
• Credits: at least 60 credits in the major; at least 120 for graduation, including 39 upper-division credits and 10 core general education courses (36 credits). A comprehensive major needs no minor or certificate (the program page also lists “Requires a minor: No”).
• Computer science core (34 credits): CS 140 Introduction to Computer Science, CS 150 Object-Oriented Programming, CS 255 Data Structures and Algorithms, CS 262 Database Systems, CS 268 Web Systems, CS 285 Computer Organization, CS 355 Software Engineering I, CS 452 Operating Systems, CS 462 Computer Networks, and CS 497 Capstone Project.
• Mathematics core (16 credits): MATH 114 Calculus I, MATH 215 Calculus II, MATH 314 Discrete Mathematics, and MATH 246 Elementary Statistics or MATH 345 Introduction to Probability and Mathematical Statistics.
• Electives (11 credits, at least 9 at the 300 level or above): options include Foundations of Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, AI in Healthcare, Artificial Intelligence, Natural Language Processing and Generative AI, Programming Languages, Computer Security, Cryptography and Network Security, UNIX Systems Programming, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Mobile Software Development, Theory of Computation, Computer Graphics, Software Engineering II and a computer science internship.
• Also required (not counted in the major): one of speech, science writing or technical writing (3 credits) and one lab physics sequence (PHYS 211/212 or PHYS 231/232, 9-10 credits).
• B.A. vs B.S.: the B.A. requires second-language competency at the 102 level; the B.S. requires math competency at the MATH 111/112/113 level. Both require at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences courses.
• Grades: a major GPA of at least 2.00. The department strongly recommends a C or better in any CS course used as a prerequisite, and repeating a course with a C- or below before continuing.

How admission works

• Entering the major: the program page and catalog reviewed do not describe a separate admission or entry threshold for computer science, and computer science is not on the transfer page’s list of programs with higher GPA requirements. Ask the department how to declare after enrolling.
• First-year review: holistic, focused on course rigor, GPA, grade trend and class rank, with tests optional. The middle 50% of admitted students had ACT 21-27, SAT 1120-1310, GPA 3.4-3.9 and class rank in the 62nd-88th percentile. Seventeen academic high school units are required (English 4, math 3, science 3, social science 3 and others).
• International students: the international application page lists no GPA requirement, so minimum academic requirements for international applicants are not published.

Application timeline and materials (international undergraduates on F-1 visas)

• Deadlines: applications for fall (September start) are accepted August 1 to June 1, and for spring (February start) April 1 to November 1. All materials must arrive before the deadline.
• Application: either the UW-Eau Claire application or the Universities of Wisconsin application (submit only one). The fee is USD 25, paid online by credit card.
• Materials: English scores, the Financial Verification form with bank documentation (at least one year of estimated expenses, certified by the bank and dated within six months), secondary school records and graduation documents with English translations, all college transcripts, and the passport photo page.
• Housing: on-campus housing is guaranteed for new international students in their first semester or year.

English requirements

• Undergraduate admission: TOEFL iBT 4.0 (75 for tests through January 20, 2026), IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 115, or alternatives such as PTE 54, Cambridge C1 Advanced 180, ACT English 18 or SAT EBRW 460.
• Conditional admission: students who need more English can start in the Intensive English Program (IEP), from TOEFL 3.0 (48 on the old scale), IELTS 4.0 or Duolingo 75.
• Waiver: applicants from an English-speaking country whose native language is English are exempt; the approved list includes Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Students at high schools in China

• Records: high school records and graduation documents with professional, literal English translations; minimum grades for Chinese high school records are not published.
• English: TOEFL 4.0, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 115, among other options.
• Gaokao: how Gaokao results are used is not published; ask Admissions (admissions@uwec.edu).
• A-Level, IB, AP: the international page links to IB credit information; the catalog limits credit by examination to one quarter of total degree credits and half of a major. A-Level credit rules are not published.

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver)

• English: Canada (except Quebec) is on the waiver list for applicants from that country whose native language is English.
• BC: there are no separate requirements for BC diplomas or grades; ask Admissions.
• The application process, fee and materials are the same as for other international students.

Transfer students

• GPA: review is holistic; most admitted transfer students have a college GPA of 2.0 or higher. Students transferring from another UW institution with 24 credits and a 2.0 GPA are guaranteed admission (not to a specific program).
• Credits: up to 72 credits from two-year colleges; at least 30 credits in residence, including 21 upper-division credits in a comprehensive major.
• International transfers: the international application page says first-year and transfer applicants use the same two applications, with deadlines and materials listed on that page, including official transcripts from all colleges.

Costs and scholarships (2026-27)

• International undergraduate estimate (international page, nine months): tuition and fees USD 20,605, housing and meals USD 9,315 and health insurance USD 2,200, totaling USD 32,120; the page recommends another USD 2,690 a year for personal expenses and supplies.
• For reference: the financial aid cost-of-attendance table lists non-resident tuition and fees of USD 20,273 and a total of USD 33,831, on a different basis from the international page; the tuition schedule lists USD 10,336.87 per semester for full-time (12-18 credits) non-residents.
• Out-of-State Awards: for students paying non-resident tuition, including international students on F-1 visas. Non-resident first-year students: USD 4,000 a year for an unweighted GPA of 3.25-3.64 and USD 8,000 for 3.65 or higher. Transfer students earning a first degree: USD 4,000 for a 3.0-3.49 transfer GPA and USD 8,000 for 3.5 or higher. First-year awards renew for up to four years, transfer awards up to two.
• Scholarship application: all students are encouraged to submit the Admissions Scholarship and Honors Application; first-year students should apply by December 1 for early awards, with a final deadline of February 1. Transfer deadlines are June 1 for fall and December 1 for spring. First-year students who accept a spot in the Honors College are guaranteed at least USD 1,000 in their first year.
• Department scholarships: the department also offers the Karlgaard, Scott Seawell and Kenneth Owen awards; see the department page for criteria.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• For fall, complete your file before June 1 and apply early
• Prepare TOEFL 4.0, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 115; the first-year page recommends four units of math
• An unweighted GPA of 3.25 or higher qualifies for an out-of-state award; submit the scholarship and honors application by December 1
• Ask Admissions how Gaokao results are used

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

• Native English speakers (outside Quebec) are exempt from English testing; ask how BC grades are evaluated

Transfer students:

• Keep a college GPA of 2.0 or higher; a transfer GPA of 3.0 or higher qualifies for an out-of-state award; note the residency credit rules

Sources: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, 2026-27 catalog: Computer Science, Comprehensive Major; 2026-27 catalog: Computer Science; Computer Science program page; Computer Science Department; International students; International student application; Options to demonstrate English proficiency (PDF); First-year admission requirements; Transfer admission requirements; 2026-27 undergraduate tuition and fees; Estimated cost of attendance; Incoming student scholarships. Courses follow the 2026-2027 catalog and costs are for 2026-27. Check UW-Eau Claire’s website for the latest.