How to apply to Computer Science at Ithaca College: the shared core of the B.A. and B.S. in the School of Humanities and Sciences, credit structure (2026-2027 catalog), AP/IB credit, no application fee for international students, ED November 1 and EA December 1 deadlines and the full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, for students in China, Canada and transfer students

Ithaca College is in Ithaca, New York. Computer science is offered by the Department of Computer Science in the School of Humanities and Sciences, as a B.A. and a B.S., alongside a B.S. in Artificial Intelligence. This guide summarizes Ithaca’s official information 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. Choosing between the B.A. and the B.S.

• The department says both degrees share a common CS core and differ in the non-CS coursework. The B.A. lets you blend computing with interests outside math and science (designing experiences, creating games, art, virtual reality, data visualization, robots, apps); the B.S. requires specific math and science coursework and suits students interested in computing with physics, chemistry, biology or mathematics.
• Electives include virtual reality, data science, AI, games, networking, web and app development, media computing, programming languages, human-computer interaction, 3D graphics, robotics, geographic information systems and machine learning.
• The department lists four areas of focus to guide course choice: application development, AI and machine learning, data and infrastructure, and systems, each with suggested courses and complementary minors.
• The program page says students may join faculty research, for example building therapeutic virtual reality software for children with motor impairments, or assistive robots with the occupational and physical therapy departments.

2. Courses and credits (2026-2027 catalog)

• Prerequisite rule: a computer science course needs a C or better to count as a prerequisite for another computer science course.
• B.S.: 120 credits for graduation, 60 of them liberal arts credits; the major is 54–60 credits, with 60–66 credits of Integrative Core Curriculum requirements and electives.
  • Seven core CS courses: COMP 17100 Computer Programming I, COMP 17200 Computer Programming II, COMP 21000 Computer Systems I, COMP 21500 Discrete Structures, COMP 22000 Data Structures, COMP 31100 Algorithm Design and COMP 34500 Software Engineering (4 credits each).
  • Five CS electives (16–20 credits, excluding COMP 49800): one at any level, one at the 200 level or above, two at the 300 level or above and one at the 400 level; only one project course can count.
  • Math: MATH 11100 Calculus I; one linear algebra course (MATH 18700 or MATH 23100); one statistics course (one of four).
• B.A.: 120 credits for graduation, 90 of them liberal arts credits; the major is 40–44 credits.
  • Six core CS courses: the same as the B.S. without COMP 21000.
  • Four CS electives (13–16 credits, at least one worth 4 credits): one each at any level, 200+, 300+ and 400 level; project and internship courses do not count.
  • One math course chosen from Applied Calculus, Calculus I and four statistics courses; AP math credit cannot satisfy it.
• The department page says the B.S. requires specific math and science coursework, while the catalog’s B.S. page lists the math courses above; check the catalog or ask the department about science courses.
• The pages we read do not mention ABET accreditation.

3. Admission to the major and switching in

• The pages we read do not describe a separate admission bar for computer science or the rules for switching into the major after enrolling. This is not published; ask admissions or the department.
• Undecided students can consider the Exploratory Program, which includes a Humanities and Sciences pathway.
• High school preparation: the program-specific page recommends at least three years of high school science and math for computer science and other STEM majors.
• What counts most: the rigor of your curriculum and your academic success; dual enrollment, AP and IB courses are encouraged, along with activities, work, leadership and service.

4. Dates and materials

• How to apply: Common App or Coalition with Scoir.
• Deadlines (deadline page, no year shown; the international page lists no separate dates):
  • Early Decision (binding) November 1, notification December 15, enrollment confirmation by February 1.
  • Early Action (non-binding) December 1, notification February 1.
  • Regular Decision February 1, notification by April 15.
  • Spring entry November 1, with materials by December 1; contact admissions first.
  • Presidential Scholarship application November 1; Scholar Programs (Innovation, Leadership, MLK, Park) December 1.
• Tests: in most cases SAT/ACT are optional, and test-optional applicants are considered equally for admission and academic/talent scholarships; home-schooled students and those whose schools give only descriptive reports must submit scores.
• Recommendations: optional. Enrolling requires a USD 500 nonrefundable deposit.

5. Materials for international applicants

• Fee: waived for international students; select the Institutional Fee Waiver in the Common App.
• Financial aid application (required): after submitting the Common App, complete Ithaca’s Financial Aid Application in IC Connect or waive aid on its first question; until you do, the application is incomplete and will not be reviewed.
• Transcripts: official transcripts for all years of secondary school and official leaving exam results, plus any college transcripts; documents not in English need certified translations, and both the original and the translation are required. A school official submits transcripts through the Common App or similar platforms.
• Recommendation: optional; if submitted, it must come directly from your principal, school head or college counselor.
• SAT/ACT: optional.
• First-year or transfer: choose First Year Student if you are finishing secondary school or have not enrolled full time at a college; choose Transfer Student if you have earned more than 9 college credits after secondary school.

6. English requirements

• Applicants whose native language is not English submit an English test. Ithaca gives recommended minimum scores: TOEFL 80 (4.0 on the new scale), IELTS 6.0, PTE 54, Duolingo 115, or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 600.
• Students who attended a high school, college or university where English is the principal language of instruction and passed English courses for at least three years are exempt.

7. Students at high schools in China

• Ithaca does not publish how Gaokao scores are used; ask admissions (admission@ithaca.edu). The international requirements do ask for official leaving exam results.
• Transcripts need certified English translations, submitted together with the originals.
• AP: a 3 on AP Computer Science A earns COMP 18888 (3 credits) and a 4 or 5 earns COMP 17100 Computer Programming I (4 credits); a 3–5 on AP Calculus AB earns MATH 11100 Calculus I.
• IB: credit only for Higher Level subjects, none for Standard Level; Computer Science HL 4–7 earns COMP 18888 (3 credits).
• A-Level: equivalents are set case by case by the Registrar and departments; only Advanced Level exams transfer, with no credit for AS; departments decide whether credit applies to the major.

8. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• Ithaca defines international students as students without U.S. citizenship (excluding U.S. dual citizens, green card holders and U.S. citizens abroad), so Canadian students follow the international process.
• English: there is no country list; students at English-medium high schools who passed English for at least three years are exempt. Students at French-language schools in Quebec should prepare a test or confirm with admissions.
• Grade requirements for the BC curriculum are not published; ask admissions.

9. Transfer students

• Eligibility: a high school diploma (or equivalent), followed by nine or more college credits or full-time enrollment at another college.
• Deadlines: fall March 1 (notification by April 15, confirmation by May 1); spring November 1 for priority consideration. Review is based on college and high school records.
• Credit: college-level courses from regionally accredited institutions with a C- or better usually transfer, each evaluated individually.
• Scholarship: full-time Phi Theta Kappa members with a 3.5+ cumulative GPA automatically receive a renewable USD 2,000 a year. International fall transfer applicants complete Ithaca’s Financial Aid Application in IC Connect.

10. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 estimate: tuition USD 59,440 (12–18 credits a semester), housing and meals USD 16,520, books USD 850, personal USD 1,100, transportation USD 550, Student Support and Technology Fee USD 300 and health insurance USD 4,260 (waivable with comparable coverage), for a total of USD 83,020. First-year students also pay a one-time USD 325 orientation fee.
• Aid for international students: international undergraduates do not qualify for U.S. federal or state aid but may receive Ithaca scholarships, grants and campus employment. Ithaca does not accept the CSS Profile or ISFAA; it uses its own Financial Aid Application in IC Connect.
• Ithaca College Scholarship: all incoming students are considered automatically, on academic ability and/or talent regardless of need; the amounts are not published.
• Presidential Scholarship: full tuition and fees each year, by separate application due November 1; international citizens must submit the Financial Aid Application by the same date. It cannot be combined with a Scholar Program and replaces any Ithaca College Scholarship.
• Residential Experience Scholarship: USD 2,000 a year for undergraduates living in on-campus housing at Ithaca.
• Innovation Scholar Program: for students in School of Humanities and Sciences degree programs, by separate application due December 1, renewable with a 3.0 GPA; the amount is not published.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• For the Presidential Scholarship, apply and submit the aid application by November 1; Early Action December 1; Regular February 1
• Apply through the Common App with the fee waiver, and complete (or waive) the aid application in IC Connect
• Prepare transcripts, leaving exam results and certified translations; recommended English scores are TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 115
• Ask admissions how Gaokao scores are used

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

• Apply through the international process; confirm the English waiver and how BC grades are read

Transfer students:

• Fall deadline March 1; send all college and high school transcripts; ask the department which core courses your credits can replace

Sources: Ithaca College, Computer Science (B.A., B.S.); department Degrees page; Areas of Focus; 2026-2027 catalog, B.S.; 2026-2027 catalog, B.A.; Credit from External Sources; Application Deadlines; Test Optional; Program-Specific Information; International Applicants; Financial Aid for International Students; Scholarships for New Students; 2026-27 undergraduate tuition and fees; Transfer Students. The deadline page shows no year, courses follow the 2026-2027 catalog and costs are for 2026-27. Check Ithaca College’s website for the latest information.