How to apply to Computer Science at Indiana State University: the BS with three concentrations, on-campus and online options and the 4+1 accelerated master’s, the international application fee and deadlines, English requirements, 2026-27 costs and scholarships, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

Indiana State University is in Terre Haute, Indiana. The contact for the BS in Computer Science is the Department of Engineering and Applied Sciences. 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

• Delivery: the program page lists on-campus and online options, and the degree can be completed in four years of full-time study.
• Core courses: programming languages and language theory, data structures, algorithms, discrete mathematics and software design, plus a senior design course with an independent project.
• Three concentrations (choose at least one):
  • Computing Science: systems-level software and software requiring careful optimization, with advanced data structures, algorithms and systems programming; the page says it suits students planning a PhD;
  • Data Science: artificial intelligence, large datasets and data formats, machine-learning tools and interfaces for data analysis;
  • Information Science: database and data management, web programming, security and systems administration.
• Lab: the Unix Lab has 12 Linux PCs and is staffed by computer science graduate and undergraduate students.
• 4+1 accelerated master’s: students in the Computer Science BS, U.S. and international, can begin master’s courses in their senior year and finish the master’s a year after the bachelor’s. GPA and other requirements should be discussed early with an advisor; specific numbers are not published.
• Course list: full courses and credits are in the catalog (catalog.indstate.edu), which we could not read, so the course list and total credits are not published on the pages we read (see the catalog).
• Accreditation: the program page states only that the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission; it does not mention ABET.

2. How admission works

• Admission to the major: whether Computer Science has its own admission threshold, and what is required to switch in, is not published. Ask admissions or the department.
• First-year requirements: the freshman admissions page requires a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum and a cumulative GPA of 2.4 or higher on a 4.0 scale. The international freshman page does not state a GPA, so ask admissions whether 2.4 also applies to international students.
• Testing: SAT or ACT scores are not required for admission but may be required for some merit scholarships, and must be sent directly by the testing agency.

3. International application

• Materials: the online application (using your passport name); a non-refundable USD 65 fee; a credential evaluation of high school records from one of the listed NACES members (A2Z, AES, ECE, Educational Perspectives, ERES, IERF, Josef Silny, Transcript Research and WES), without which the application is incomplete; the financial guarantee form; an original bank statement mailed by the bank; English scores unless exempt; and a passport copy. Decisions usually come 4–6 weeks after a complete file.
• Deadlines (no year shown): priority deadlines are June 1 for fall and October 15 for spring, and later applications are still accepted. Students who need an I-20 must be admitted by July 1 for fall and November 15 for spring.
• Proof of funds: one year of expenses must be documented before the I-20 is issued.
• Transcripts: students can register for the first semester with an official transcript that is not yet final (if there is no spring or fall gap between graduation and starting), but must submit a final official transcript before registering for the second semester.

4. English requirements

• Undergraduate scores (no more than two years old by the first day of class): TOEFL 61 (500 paper), IELTS 6, Duolingo 95, PTE 45, MELAB 69, ELS Level 112, or the listed levels of approved English programs. Business majors need higher scores (TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5).
• Exemptions: citizens of the listed countries, including Canada and the United Kingdom, do not need English scores; earning a degree or diploma in an exempt country, or completing 24 transferable university credits there, also satisfies the requirement.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Gaokao: whether Gaokao scores are used is not published. Ask admissions.
• Credential evaluation: high school records go to one of the listed NACES members; evaluation takes several weeks, and the university urges starting early.
• A-Level and IB: credit rules are not published; the freshman page says only that AP scores must come from the College Board to earn credit.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• English: the exemption is by citizenship, so Canadian citizens need no English scores. Non-citizens at Canadian high schools should ask admissions whether they meet the “degree/diploma from an exempt country” option.
• BC: grade requirements and conversion for the BC curriculum are not published. Ask admissions.

7. Transfer students

• International transfer requirements: good academic standing at the last accredited institution and a cumulative college GPA of at least 2.0; at least 12 college credits, otherwise freshman criteria apply.
• Materials: transcripts from every institution attended and the USD 65 fee; students with fewer than 12 credits also send a final high school transcript. Syllabi or course descriptions are encouraged; without them, only general elective credit may be awarded.
• Transfer scholarships (2027-28): the Transfer Incentive Scholarship gives USD 5,000 a year, renewable for two more years, to out-of-state or international students with a 3.0 GPA who do not otherwise qualify for a reduced rate; the Transfer Student Scholarship gives USD 1,500 a year to students with 24 credits and a 2.75 GPA.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-27 non-resident and international on-campus estimate: tuition (12–18 credits a semester) USD 23,282, housing USD 7,568, food USD 4,998, and recreation and health fees USD 280, for direct costs of USD 36,128; indirect costs such as books, personal expenses and transportation are USD 4,496; total USD 40,624. Some programs charge extra course fees.
• Freshman scholarships (2027-28): the quick-look page tiers awards by GPA. For example, in the 3.8 GPA tier the Academic Excellence Scholarship pays USD 3,000 a year, with “1270 SAT / 27 ACT, Top 10%” in its additional-criteria column (admitted by December 1, no application); the Academic Distinction Scholarship pays USD 2,500 a year for a 3.5 GPA (admitted by May 1); the Academic Merit Scholarship pays USD 1,000 a year for a 3.25 GPA. Out-of-state freshmen with a 3.0 GPA who do not otherwise qualify for a reduced rate receive the USD 5,000 Incentive Scholarship.
• International eligibility: the freshman table does not say whether international students qualify (the transfer Incentive explicitly includes them). Ask the scholarship office.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Start a high school credential evaluation with a listed NACES member early
• Prepare English scores such as TOEFL 61, IELTS 6 or Duolingo 95
• Apply by the June 1 fall priority deadline with the USD 65 fee and financial documents
• Ask admissions whether Gaokao scores are used and whether international students can receive scholarships

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

• Canadian citizens are exempt from English scores
• Ask admissions how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Keep a college GPA of 2.0 or higher and complete 12 credits
• Prepare syllabi; a 3.0 GPA qualifies for the Transfer Incentive

Sources: Indiana State University, Computer Science (BS); Computer Science (Accelerated MS); Freshman admissions; International freshman admissions; International transfer admissions; Additional international admissions information; 2026-27 cost of attendance; 2027-28 scholarships quick look. Costs are 2026-27 estimates; check Indiana State’s website for the latest.