How to apply to Computer Science at Rider University: the 67-credit major (2026-2027 catalog), choosing one of four tracks, at most two attempts to earn a C in 100-level CS courses, the June 15 international fall deadline, merit awards of USD 15,000 to 28,000 a year, and what students in China, students in Canada and transfer students need

Rider University is in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Its B.S. in Computer Science is offered by the Department of Computer Science and Mathematics in the School of Science, Technology and Mathematics. This guide summarizes what the university’s website says 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. Degree and courses (2026-2027 catalog)

• Total: a 67-credit major and 120 credits for graduation. The program page says the curriculum aligns with ACM and IEEE Computer Society standards; the pages we read do not mention ABET.
• Computer science core: Computer Science I and II, Data Structures and Algorithms, Discrete Structures, Introduction to Software Engineering, Computer Organization and Architecture, Probability for Computer Science, Operating Systems, Computer Networks and Analysis of Algorithms (CSC 110 to CSC 350).
• Mathematics: Calculus I, Calculus II and Linear Algebra.
• Natural science (8 credits): one two-semester lab sequence in physics, chemistry or biology, or two sequences from environmental science, earth science and oceanography.
• Electives (6 credits): two courses from database systems, enterprise security, cyber ethics and societal impact, software security engineering, theory of computation, human-computer interaction, parallel and distributed systems, introduction to cryptography, independent study and internships.
• Tracks (12 credits): the catalog says students must choose one of four: cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, software engineering or general. The program page describes three tracks (AI, cybersecurity and software engineering) and does not list the general track.
• Grades and repeats: 100-level CSC and CYB courses need a C or better, and each can be repeated at most twice; students who do not reach a C cannot pursue the computer science or cybersecurity major.
• First year: the sample plan has Computer Science I, Discrete Structures and Calculus I in the fall, and Computer Science II, Cyber Ethics and Societal Impact and Calculus II in the spring; math placement decides where you start. Elective credits can go toward a second major or a minor.
• Direct entry and switching in: apart from the 100-level grade rule above, the website does not give a separate admission bar or switching conditions. This is not published; ask admissions or the department.

2. How first-year applicants are reviewed

• Holistic review: academic performance, recommendations and the essay, plus activities, talents and leadership; campus visits, virtual events and contact with your admissions counselor are also considered.
• Testing: optional, including for international students; choosing test-optional does not affect admission or scholarships. Rider superscores submitted tests.
• Materials: an essay and one letter of recommendation from a counselor or someone who can describe your academic potential and character.
• Application: for spring and fall 2027, use the Common App (opened August 1, 2026); Rider’s own online application page is labeled for fall 2026.

3. Dates and materials (international)

• Fall deadlines (international undergraduate page, no year shown): June 15 for applicants studying outside the U.S. and August 1 for those studying in the U.S.; rolling admission, with later applications reviewed on a space-available basis.
• Early Action: the first-year page gives November 15, 2026 for fall 2027 Early Action, January 15, 2027 for priority scholarship consideration and May 1 for the deposit.
• Fee: USD 75 for international applicants, non-refundable, and fee waivers are not available for international applicants (domestic first-year applicants pay USD 60).
• Transcripts: official transcripts with the school seal, translated into English, listing all courses and grades and sent directly by the school.
• Finances: after confirming enrollment, complete the International Student Supplement and upload bank documents covering one academic year (no older than 3 months) and a passport copy.
• ESL: Rider no longer offers an English language program, so the English requirement must be met first.

4. English requirements

• Minimums: TOEFL iBT 70 (2025 tests) or 4 (2026 onward); IELTS 6.0; Duolingo 95; PTE 50; iTEP 3.7; Trinity ISE II with Distinction; Michigan English Test 53.
• Waivers: the page says the requirement may be waived in specific circumstances on an individual basis; email global@rider.edu. No exempt countries are listed.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Transcripts: sealed official transcripts with English translations, sent by the school.
• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao scores are used. This is not published; ask international admissions.
• A-Level, IB and AP: the first-year page says IB can earn up to 20 credits and AP scores must be sent by the College Board; the pages we read do not say whether A-Levels earn credit. This is not published.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: the page requires proof of English from non-native speakers with individual waivers possible, and does not mention Canada specifically; ask international admissions.
• BC grades: the BC grade requirement is not published; ask admissions.

7. Transfer students

• Who counts: students under 25 who have attempted or completed at least 12 college credits after high school.
• Dates: spring 2027 preferred deadline December 1 with deposit by January 10; fall 2027 preferred deadline April 1 with deposit by May 1.
• Materials: official transcripts from every college; a high school transcript if you have fewer than 30 credits; an essay of at least 250 words; recommendations are not required. Domestic transfer students pay no application fee; the international undergraduate page lists a USD 75 fee for international applicants.
• Credits from outside the U.S.: a course-by-course evaluation by a NACES member is required.
• GPA: the transfer page does not give a minimum GPA. This is not published. The 100-level C rule with at most two repeats also applies to entering the major.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 direct costs for new students: tuition USD 43,580, fees USD 1,870 and room and board USD 19,470, for USD 64,920 on campus; estimated indirect costs include books USD 750 and personal and transportation USD 2,090.
• Aid for international students: the international FAQ says merit scholarships are offered to all international undergraduate and transfer students, and need-based aid is not available to international students.
• First-year merit scholarships (spring 2027, fall 2027 and spring 2028 entry): USD 15,000 to 28,000 a year, awarded automatically on admission with no separate application; students must be regularly admissible full time with an unweighted GPA of at least 2.7. The deposit must be made by the deadline (May 1 for fall) to secure the award.
• Visit award: USD 1,000 a year for fall 2027 students who attend an eligible on-campus program and deposit by May 1, 2027.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• For an early decision, apply by November 15, 2026 (Early Action); scholarship priority January 15, 2027; fall deadline June 15 at the latest
• Apply through the Common App; USD 75 fee
• Prepare TOEFL 4, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 95, an essay and one recommendation
• Ask international admissions how Gaokao scores are used

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

• Confirm whether the English test can be waived and how BC grades are read

Transfer students:

• Fall 2027 preferred deadline April 1; get a NACES course-by-course evaluation for credits from outside the U.S.; confirm the minimum GPA and credit transfer

Sources: Rider University, Computer Science, B.S.; 2026-2027 catalog; Undergraduate International Students; international FAQs; First-year How to Apply; Test-Optional Admission; 2026-27 undergraduate tuition and fees; Scholarships for First-Year Students; Transfer How to Apply. Deadlines are for 2027 entry, courses follow the 2026-2027 catalog and costs are for 2026-27. Check Rider’s website for the latest information.