How to Apply to Computer Science at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: the ABET-Accredited BS in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, Top-10% Guaranteed Admission and Holistic Review, Test-Optional Except for Some Programs, TOEFL 61, a USD 50 Fee and Priority Deadlines for Students from China, Canada and Transfer Students

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) has campuses in South Texas including Edinburg and Brownsville. Its computer science bachelor’s is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science. This guide draws on UTRGV’s official website and is written 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. Program overview

• Degree: BS in Computer Science, on campus. The program and department pages say it is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
• Content: the department page describes a curriculum spanning software development, cybersecurity, robotics, data science and game design, blending theory with hands-on work; the department runs Senior Design, a TA Center and a computer lab.
• Undergraduate to graduate: the program page links to an undergrad-to-grad pathway; see the graduate college pages for conditions.
• Course list and credits: the full requirements appear only in the catalog, which is hosted on a third-party platform and was not used for this guide. See the BS in Computer Science page of UTRGV’s 2026-2027 undergraduate catalog for total credits and required courses.

2. Admission: direct to the major or declare later?

• The pages we read give no separate entry requirement for Computer Science and no conditions for changing into it; not published, ask the department or admissions.
• University admission: students in the top 10% of their high school class are guaranteed admission; other freshmen get a holistic review that considers class rank, college credit already earned, course difficulty, leadership, community involvement and career goals.
• Tests: optional for the 2026-2027 cycle. But the freshman page says scores are necessary for Tuition Advantage, scholarships and specific admissions like the College of Engineering and Biomedical Programs (ACT takers need the science section), and the merit scholarship page says credentials may be required or considered for programs in Engineering, Computer Science and Biomedical Sciences. Confirm with admissions whether Computer Science requires scores; submit them if you have them.
• Essay: optional for 2026-2027; at least 500 words recommended.

3. Applying and deadlines

• Platform: the undergraduate (four-year) application on ApplyTexas.
• Application fee: USD 50 for international applicants, paid through the UTRGV Marketplace.
• Priority deadlines (same on the freshman and international pages; no year shown): summer April 1, fall May 1, spring November 1. Later applications are still considered but may take longer to process.
• Transcripts: students from high schools outside the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by an approved company, sent directly to UTRGV: The Evaluation Company (TEC), Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA), World Education Services (WES) or International Education Evaluation (IEE).

4. English requirements

• Undergraduate minimums: TOEFL 61 (4 for tests on or after January 21, 2026), TOEFL Essentials 6.5, IELTS 6, Duolingo 95 or PTE 45.
• Exemptions: completing the advanced level of UTRGV’s English Language Programs, three years of high school in the U.S., 30 credit hours at an accredited university in the U.S. or a listed country, or two semesters of freshman English composition at a U.S. institution with a C or better, among others.
• Exempt countries: the list includes Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland; China is not listed.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: whether and how Gaokao scores are used is not published; contact admissions (recruitment@utrgv.edu).
• GPA: the international page gives no minimum GPA and no cutoff is published; the freshman page says freshmen outside the top 10% get a holistic review.
• A-Level, IB and AP credit: not stated on the pages we read; not published.
• English: China is not on the exempt list, so a TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE score is needed.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• BC grades: score requirements for BC courses are not published. The admissions pages say transcripts from high schools outside the U.S. must be evaluated by an approved company.
• English: Canada (except Quebec) is on the exempt list, so no English score is needed.

7. Transfer students

• Categories: students with 0–23 college hours after high school apply as freshman transfers; those with 24+ hours apply as regular transfers.
• Requirements: good standing at previous institutions and a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on all coursework attempted.
• Documents: U.S. college transcripts sent directly by the college; foreign coursework evaluated by TEC, FCSA, WES or IEE. Freshman transfers also submit proof of high school completion. International applicants add the USD 50 fee and English scores unless exempt.
• Tests: also optional for transfers in 2026-2027.

8. Costs and scholarships

• International I-20 funding requirements (2026-2027, undergraduates with at least 12 hours): full-time overseas students USD 34,600 living with family and USD 41,668 living independently; overseas students with in-state tuition USD 24,328 and USD 31,396. The page’s note is inconsistent about when the new figures apply (it says they take effect July 20, 2026 and will be released soon, and also that requests submitted on or after April 1, 2024 use the new figures); follow the international student office’s latest notice.
• Freshman merit scholarships: no separate application; students must be admitted by December 1 to be considered; first come, first served. The UTRGV Scholars program has three levels: Presidential up to USD 32,000; Distinguished, for out-of-area students only, up to USD 42,000 with a two-year housing component; Meritorious up to USD 20,000. Renewable for four years with 15 hours each semester, 30 hours per academic year and a 3.0 GPA. The page does not say whether international students are eligible; ask the scholarship office (scholarships@utrgv.edu).
• Tuition Advantage: covers tuition and mandatory fees for students with family income of USD 125,000 or less and requires ACT or SAT scores; the page does not say whether international students qualify.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Be admitted by December 1 for merit scholarships; fall priority deadline May 1
• Have your transcript evaluated by TEC, FCSA, WES or IEE; TOEFL 61, IELTS 6 or Duolingo 95
• Submit SAT/ACT scores if you have them (needed for engineering admission and scholarships); confirm Gaokao use with admissions

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

• Canada (except Quebec) is exempt from English testing; transcripts still need an evaluation, and BC grade requirements should be confirmed with admissions

Transfer students:

• Cumulative GPA 2.0 and good standing; 24+ hours applies as a regular transfer

Sources: The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, Computer Science program page; Department of Computer Science; Undergraduate international admissions; Freshman admissions; Transfer admissions; International I-20 financial requirements; Freshman merit scholarships. The deadline pages show no year; check UTRGV’s website for the latest.