How to apply to Computer Science at Arkansas State University: the BS and BA in the College of Engineering & Computer Science (120 hours each), international GPA and English requirements, the English waiver for Canada, fall 2027 deadlines, 2026-2027 tuition and international scholarships, and requirements and timelines for students in China, Canada and transfer applicants

Arkansas State University (A-State) has its main campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Computer Science is offered by the College of Engineering & Computer Science as a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA). 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. Degrees and courses

• BS: the program page lists 120 credit hours, covering software development, websites, databases and computer networks, plus algorithms, data structures, operating systems and software engineering, with hands-on projects and labs.
• BA: also 120 credit hours, covering programming languages, web development and software engineering as well as topics such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, with labs, internships and faculty-led research.
• Related options: the department also offers a BS in Data Science and Data Analytics whose Data Science emphasis can take Computer Science as its domain, and a Computer Science minor (talk to an advisor).
• Example early courses: the 2+2 agreement between A-State and ASU-Beebe signed in March 2025 lists these A-State courses: Concepts of Programming (CS 1114), Structured Programming (CS 2114), OOP & Fundamental Data Structures (CS 2124), Discrete Structures (MATH 2183) and Calculus I (MATH 2204).
• Full curriculum and accreditation: the program page’s “Course Catalog” link points to catalog.astate.edu, and our request there was blocked, so the full list of required courses is not covered here; see the catalog. The Computer Science pages we read do not mention ABET accreditation; ask the college.
• The BS page says classes start August 19, 2026 for fall 2026.

2. How admission works

• The pages we read do not describe a separate admission threshold for Computer Science or conditions for changing into it; ask the college.
• International first-year applicants: the international undergraduate page requires a 2.3 high school GPA (4.0 scale), with all transcripts and records translated into English; its criteria do not list SAT/ACT.
• Automatic freshman admission (test scores still required): the pages differ. The BS program page lists any one of a 3.00 cumulative GPA, an ACT superscore of 19 or SAT 990, or top 20% class rank, plus holistic review; the undergraduate admission requirements page lists only the GPA 3.00 and ACT 19 / SAT 990 options.
• Applicants who do not meet the automatic criteria can appeal with two recommendation letters and a statement of purpose; students admitted on appeal or needing remediation join the Transition Studies support program.
• Page issue: the BA program page’s “Admission Requirements” box shows Graduate School criteria (a baccalaureate degree with a 2.75 GPA), which do not apply to undergraduate applicants; use the undergraduate and international admission pages.

3. Deadlines and materials

• Deadlines (international undergraduate page; the application, fee and all documents are due by the deadline):
  • Spring 2027: November 1, 2026; classes start January 11, 2027.
  • Summer 2027: March 2, 2027.
  • Fall 2027: June 4, 2027; orientation August 9 and classes August 18, 2027.
• Process: create an account, choose “International Undergraduate” in the application, then upload the documents listed by the International Admissions Tool to the myDen portal; a decision comes within 24–48 business hours once everything is in.
• Application fee: the international tuition page lists USD 50; the program and undergraduate admission pages list USD 30. Use the amount shown in the application.
• Official documents: the international admissions page says official documents are not required for admission, but admitted students must submit official copies on arrival before registering, sealed by the institution or sent through an approved service such as Parchment; emailed transcripts are not accepted otherwise.

4. English requirements

• Undergraduate minimums: TOEFL iBT 61, IELTS 5.5, Duolingo 110, PTE 43, iTEP 3.5 or EIKEN Grade Pre-1; alternatively SAT EBRW 550, ACT English and Reading 21, or IB English HL 5–7. Scores must be less than two years old.
• Completion of A-State’s ESL program (80% or above) or a CEA-accredited language program also qualifies.
• Exempt countries: the list includes Canada (except Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand; China is not on it. The international undergraduate page says applicants “from these countries” are exempt, while the international admissions page says “citizens of these countries.”

5. Students at high schools in China

• Have a GPA of 2.3 or higher with transcripts translated into English, and prepare TOEFL 61, IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 110.
• The website does not say how the Gaokao is used; ask international admissions (international@AState.edu).
• IB English HL 5–7 meets the English requirement; A-Level, IB and AP credit rules are not on the pages we read, so check the catalog.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• Canada (except Quebec) is on the English-exempt list; because one page says “from” and the other “citizens,” students of other nationalities studying in Canada should confirm with international admissions.
• No BC grade requirements are published; the general international first-year requirement is a 2.3 GPA.

7. Transfer students

• International transfer applicants need a 2.0 GPA; the undergraduate page asks for a cumulative 2.0 on all transfer work plus English Composition I and College Algebra, or entrance exam scores.
• Transfer scholarship: at least 24 transferable hours and a 3.25 GPA for USD 3,000 a year (below).
• The transfer partnerships section of the website lists Computer Science transfer agreements with other institutions.

8. Costs and scholarships

• 2026-2027 international undergraduate tuition: USD 626 per credit hour, plus a USD 23 per-hour athletic fee; College of Engineering & Computer Science non-general-education courses add USD 50 per hour; each term adds a USD 350 international tuition fee and a USD 25 activity fee.
• 2026-2027 estimate (12 hours each in fall and spring): tuition USD 15,024, fees USD 1,302, room and board USD 12,220 and health insurance USD 1,100, totaling USD 29,646. The top of the same page gives an estimated cost of attendance of USD 26,000, which differs from the table.
• Other costs: international health screening USD 280; a USD 350 international tuition deposit paid before the first registration and refunded at graduation; some students must pay a USD 3,000 deposit, per their admission letter, applied to tuition in the third semester.
• International freshman scholarship: USD 3,000 a year with a 3.25 GPA and A-State English proficiency; it cannot be combined with other scholarships and requires full admission first.
• International transfer scholarship: USD 3,000 a year with a 3.25 GPA, at least 24 transferable hours and English proficiency.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Prepare TOEFL 61, IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 110
• Apply by June 4, 2027 for fall 2027, upload translated transcripts (GPA 2.3+) and pay the fee
• After admission, bring sealed official transcripts and diploma on arrival
• Ask international admissions whether the Gaokao is considered

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

• Confirm the English waiver (Quebec excluded)
• Ask international admissions how BC grades are reviewed

Transfer students:

• Keep a transfer GPA of 2.0 or higher; a 3.25 GPA with 24 hours qualifies for the transfer scholarship
• Ask the college about entry to Computer Science and credit evaluation

Sources: Arkansas State University, BS in Computer Science; BA in Computer Science; Computer Science; International undergraduate admission; International admissions (English and official documents); Financial aid for international students; International tuition and fees (2026-2027); Undergraduate admission requirements; 2025 2+2 transfer agreement (PDF). Check Arkansas State’s website for the latest information.