How to apply to Computer Science at Marist University: the BS in the School of Computer Science and Mathematics, its two concentrations, five-year BS/MS programs and IBM partnership labs, deadlines, admission criteria, English and costs, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

Marist University is in Poughkeepsie, New York. Its BS in Computer Science is offered by the School of Computer Science and Mathematics. This guide summarizes the official requirements 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

• Concentrations: the program page lists Software Development and Game Design and Programming; a Computer Science minor is also offered.
• Five-year BS/MS: two options, the BS with an MS in Software Development or with an MS in Information Systems. The Software Development page says the combined program totals 143 credits (instead of 150 for separate degrees), with 23 credits in two semesters after the bachelor’s; qualification occurs in the sixth semester, with a 3.0 cumulative GPA to enter and continue, a faculty recommendation, and a conversation with CS faculty no later than the start of the sixth semester.
• Labs and partnerships: the program page describes the Cloud Computing and Analytics Center, the Internet of Things Lab, the Enterprise Computing Research Lab and the Security Operations Center; through the Marist-IBM Innovation Incubator students can use the IBM z17 mainframe for research and development.
• Course list: the full curriculum and credits are in the catalog (catalog.marist.edu), which we could not read, so the course list and total degree credits are not published here (check the catalog). The five-year program page says students follow the catalog of the year they declare their major.
• Accreditation: the pages we read do not mention ABET accreditation.

2. How admission works

• Major admission: the supplemental materials page says only Fashion Design and Studio Art require portfolios; all other programs are reviewed on the standard application. Whether Computer Science has its own threshold, and what internal transfer requires, is not published; ask admissions or the department.
• Criteria: applicants should generally rank in the top half of their class with a recalculated average of 91–97 or a 3.3–3.8 GPA, and complete at least 4 years of English, 3 of science, 3 of math, 3 of history/social studies and 2 of a foreign language. Tests are not required; submitted scores are usually SAT 1240–1360 or ACT 27–31.
• Class of 2030: middle-50% average 91–97; SAT 1240–1360, average 1300.

3. Deadlines and materials

• Deadlines (no year shown): Early Decision I (binding) November 1, decisions mid-December, deposit by February 1; Early Action November 15, decisions mid-January; Early Decision II February 15, decisions late February, deposit by March 1; Regular Decision February 15, decisions mid-March. EA and RD admits deposit by May 1.
• Application: Common App or the Marist Application.
• Materials: high school transcript; one counselor recommendation (required), a teacher recommendation optional; personal essay; tests optional.

4. International requirements

• English: the admission criteria page says international students whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores. The pages we read give no minimum scores; ask admission@marist.edu.
• Credential evaluation: the international page lists five evaluation services (ECE, FIS, Josef Silny, TEC, WES) but does not say which applicants must use one; ask admissions.
• I-20: after admission, submit the Declaration of Finances, a bank statement and bank letter, the passport ID page and English scores; undergraduates must deposit before receiving an I-20. The declaration form (rev. 3/26) lists a minimum of USD 79,975 for the first year.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: whether Gaokao scores are considered is not published; ask admissions.
• A-Level credit (rev. 6/2024): Computer Science A Level at E or above earns CMPT 120L Intro to Programming and CMPT 220L Software Development I (8 credits); AS Level at E earns 3 elective credits; Pure Mathematics 1 & 2 at E earns MATH 120L Pre-Calculus.
• AP credit (April 2026): Computer Science A or Computer Science Principles with a 4 earns 3 credits each; Calculus AB with a 3 earns Calculus I, BC with a 3 earns Calculus I and II (8 credits). IB credit has its own table.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: native English speakers do not need English scores; no country list is given.
• BC: grade requirements and conversion for BC courses are not published; ask admissions.

7. Transfer students

• Deadlines: rolling, with preferred dates of June 1 for fall and December 1 for spring.
• Materials: Common App or the Marist Application, final high school transcript, college transcripts and current schedule, one recommendation, a personal essay, and a USD 50 fee or waiver; tests optional.
• Credit: the transfer page says Marist accepts up to 90% of transfer credits; courses counting toward the major, related fields and Core need a C or better, and C- earns elective credit only.
• Scholarship: community college Phi Theta Kappa members receive USD 5,000 a year, renewable with a 2.85 GPA.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 first-year resident estimate: tuition USD 50,760, activity fee 420, health services fee 520, orientation fee 210, housing 12,430 and food 7,700, for billable charges of USD 72,040; with books, transportation and personal costs, the total estimate is USD 76,875. Credits above 16 per semester cost USD 940 each; students who need Marist’s health insurance add about USD 3,200.
• Merit scholarships: every applicant is considered; awards are renewable for four years with a 2.85 cumulative GPA. Amounts are not published.
• Need-based aid: international undergraduates submit only the CSS Profile (code 2400) to be considered for institutional need-based aid.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores and confirm the minimum with admissions
• Submit the application, counselor recommendation and essay by November 1 (ED I), November 15 (EA) or February 15 (ED II, RD)
• Submit the CSS Profile if you need need-based aid
• Ask admissions whether Gaokao scores are used

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

• Confirm whether English scores are needed
• Ask admissions how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Apply by June 1 for fall or December 1 for spring
• Earn a C or better for courses to count toward the major

Sources: Marist University, Computer Science; School of Computer Science and Mathematics; Five-year BS/MS; First-year application; Admission criteria; International students; Student visa; 2026-27 cost of attendance; Financial aid FAQ; AP credit; Cambridge A-Level credit; Transfer application; Transfer credits. Costs are 2026-27 estimates; check Marist’s website for the latest.