The school has a 53% acceptance rate for freshmen, which is relatively high for a university, meaning, if you have a GPA above 3.0, you’re probably going to get in.

The graduate program is based on the presumption that the student has an undergraduate degree with a major in computer science, or equivalent coursework in the principal computer science and mathematics subjects required for such an undergraduate degree. Students without such preparation cannot be admitted. 

Unconditional Admission

Applicants seeking unconditional admission must have a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science or closely related field with a GPA of 3.0 or better in all courses or the most recent 90 quarter units (60 semester units) attempted, and have successfully completed courses covering the following topics with a GPA of 3.0 or better:

• 18 quarter units (12 semester units) including Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Probability and Statistics
• 18 quarter units (12 semester units) including Object-Oriented Programming, Discrete Structures, Data Structures, and Computer Organization
• 18 upper division quarter units (12 upper division semester units) including Language Translation and Automata, Design and Analysis of Algorithms, Computer Architecture, Operating Systems, and Software Engineering.

Conditional Admission Requirements

Applicants who do not meet unconditional admission but have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA above 2.8 may seek conditional admission. However, per CSU Admissions and SEVIS Policy, international students attending the University on a visa requiring issuance of an I-20 may NOT be conditionally admitted and must meet all requirements prior to gaining admission to the University. Conditional admission requires successful completion of courses covering the following topics with a GPA of 3.0 or better:

• 18 quarter units (12 semester units) including Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Probability and Statistics
• 18 quarter units (12 semester units) including Object-Oriented Programming, Discrete Structures, Data Structures, and Computer Organization
• Students in conditional standing must satisfactorily complete a prescribed list of upper division courses before becoming eligible for unconditional graduate standing.

English Language Requirement

Applicants whose native language is not English and who hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university where the principal language of instruction was not English must have passed the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam with a minimum score of 6.5 or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam with a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based, or 550 on the paper-based, or 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL.