Bachelor of Science [BS] (Computer Science)
Field of Study:
$20,531 /Yr
Southern Illinois University Bachelor of Science in Computer Science is a four-year, 120-credit, on-campus degree in Edwardsville, Illinois, with Spring 2027 entry and MATH 125 eligibility. Direct entry uses a 2.6 grade point average on 4.0, approximately 65% or 6.5 on a 10-point Indian scale. The 2026-27 international charge is US$14,780 (INR 14.10 Lakhs) per semester, or US$118,240 (INR 1.13 Crore) across eight semesters at that rate.
The BS develops software engineering, systems and computing foundations through algorithms, operating systems, networks, programming languages, databases and a two-course senior project. The Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, accredits the programme, which suits a mathematically prepared applicant seeking structured technology preparation.
- Students can use human-computer interaction, robotics, instructional-server and open-access computing laboratories for course and research work.
- The department reports internship and co-op recruitment opportunities across Illinois, including Chicago and the city of St Louis.
- An accelerated combined Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Computer Science route is listed for applicants considering graduate study.
Current Admission Status
Applications for the Spring 2027 intake are Open. International student deadline: 01 October 2026.
Computer Science is listed among SIUE STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. STEM applications close at the priority deadline, so Indian applicants should submit the complete academic, English and application file by this date.
Also Check: Southern Illinois University Computer Science admission
SIUE BS Computer Science Fees and Living Costs 2027
For Spring 2027, the relevant fee tier is the School of Engineering international undergraduate rate because Computer Science is housed in that school. SIUE publishes US$14,780 (INR 14.10 Lakhs) per semester for 15 enrolled hours in Fall 2026 and Spring 2027.
Target-cycle fee basis: the table separates the official per-semester charge from calculated annual and four-year planning figures. The four-year figure holds the published rate constant across eight semesters and therefore is not a university-published future fee.
| Cost item | Amount (USD) | Amount (INR) | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| International engineering tuition and mandatory fees | US$14,780 per semester | INR 14.10 Lakhs | Official Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 rate based on 15 credit hours |
| Two-semester academic charge | US$29,560 calculated | INR 28.20 Lakhs | 2 × the published per-semester rate, before living costs and extra studio or lab fees |
| Four-year academic planning total | US$118,240 calculated | INR 1.13 Crore | 8 semesters at the same rate for the 120-credit sample curriculum |
| International application fee | US$40 | INR 3,816 | Non-refundable fee for the undergraduate application |
All INR conversions in the article use a conversion rate of USD 1 = INR 95.4072 as of 11 August 2026. Rates fluctuate daily, verify before applying.
- The published engineering rate combines tuition and mandatory fees, while SIUE says studio and lab fees may be charged separately, so request a course-level estimate before payment.
- The four-year academic figure is a planning illustration rather than a price guarantee, because later academic-year rates and the enrolled credit load can change.
- Card payment adds a US$1.10 convenience fee (INR 105), which should be included alongside the non-refundable application fee.
Cost of Living in Edwardsville for BS Computer Science Students
SIUE estimates international undergraduate living expenses as one combined annual package covering housing, books, transportation and mandatory health insurance. Because the university does not publish a detailed monthly split for this course, the monthly value below is calculated only by dividing the official annual estimate by 12.
| Expense | Monthly (USD) | Monthly (INR) | Annual (USD) | Annual (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Official living expense package, including housing, books, transportation and mandatory health insurance | US$1,447.50 calculated | INR 1.38 Lakhs | US$17,370 | INR 16.57 Lakhs |
The living estimate includes mandatory health insurance of US$2,583 (INR 2.46 Lakhs) per year, so it is not interchangeable with rent or the student visa maintenance requirement. As a separate residence reference, Cougar Village shared bedrooms cost US$2,865 per semester (INR 2.73 Lakhs) for Fall 2026 to Spring 2027. Private bedrooms cost US$4,305 per semester (INR 4.11 Lakhs) during the same period.
A calculated one-year planning budget is US$46,930 (INR 44.77 Lakhs). This combines US$29,560 (INR 28.20 Lakhs) in academic charges with US$17,370 (INR 16.57 Lakhs) in living costs. A four-year illustration is US$187,720 (INR 1.79 Crore) before travel, visa charges, extra lab costs and future rate changes.
Check Out: USA cost of living for international students
Key insight: The School of Engineering rate makes the four-year academic charge about INR 1.13 Crore before living costs. Confirm the next billable credit load and any lab fees before treating the calculated INR 1.79 Crore all-in illustration as your family budget.
SIUE BS Computer Science Admission 2027
Admission combines university first-year criteria with a Computer Science requirement to be eligible for MATH 125 or higher. A grade point average (GPA) is the four-point academic measure used in the admission criteria.
Indian applicants should show mathematics readiness, complete academic records and a qualifying English score before the Spring 2027 deadline.
SIUE makes the official equivalency decision for Indian transcripts. The percentage and cumulative grade point average (CGPA) figures below are approximate planning conversions because the checked pages publish no country-specific Indian scale.
Academic Eligibility
First-time freshmen can receive direct School of Engineering entry through one of the published academic routes. The Computer Science major also requires eligibility for MATH 125 or higher.
Students must maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA for continued study.
| Applicant or programme criterion | SIUE requirement | Approximate Indian interpretation | Applicant meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic first-year admission route | Cumulative high-school GPA 2.6 on a 4.0 scale | Approximately 65% or CGPA 6.5 on 10 | Direct entry route when the transcript also supports required school preparation |
| Alternative automatic route | GPA 2.0 on 4.0 plus SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) 990 Evidence-Based Reading and Writing plus Math or ACT (American College Testing) 19 | Approximately 50% or CGPA 5.0 on 10 for the GPA component | Standardized tests are not required for admission consideration, but this route can support automatic admission |
| Class-rank route | Rank in the top 10% of the high-school graduating class | Submit an official rank statement where the school reports one | Useful when the transcript format does not map cleanly to a U.S. GPA |
| Computer Science entry | Eligible to enroll in MATH 125, Pre-calculus, or a higher course | Show mathematics preparation through school records or approved placement evidence | Check calculus readiness because the BS sample curriculum begins with MATH 150, Calculus I |
| Transfer entry after 30 semester hours | Minimum cumulative GPA 2.0 on 4.0 at accredited institutions | Approximately 50% or CGPA 5.0 on 10 | Ask Engineering Student Services to review Indian college credits before the term begins |
The Bachelor of Science sample curriculum contains 120 total hours across four academic years and includes calculus, discrete mathematics, statistics, science laboratories and five computing electives. The structure is a strong fit for applicants who want technical breadth, but transfer students should map course equivalencies early because missing science or mathematics credits can extend the timeline.
- The BS requires a laboratory science sequence and an additional science lab elective, unlike the BA structure’s language and humanities emphasis.
- The computing core covers database and web systems, computer organization, algorithms, operating systems, software engineering, networks and programming languages.
- Retention requires a cumulative 2.0 GPA, a term GPA above 1.0 and at least 2.0 in mathematics, science, School of Engineering and upper-division major courses.
English Language Proficiency for Indian Applicants
International undergraduate applicants must prove English language proficiency before formal admission and I-20 issuance. SIUE lists four usable undergraduate tests, with IELTS requiring both an overall score and a component floor.
Score scale note: SIUE publishes TOEFL as 72 without a revised 1.0 to 6.0 conversion. Do not self-convert a new-format TOEFL report; confirm the accepted reporting format with international admissions.
| Accepted test route | Minimum published score | Indian applicant use |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic, International English Language Testing System | 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | Direct route when every band meets the component floor |
| TOEFL, Test of English as a Foreign Language | 72 on the SIUE-published scale | Verify score-report compatibility before sending a revised-format result |
| PTE Academic, Pearson Test of English Academic | 50 | Computer-based alternative listed for undergraduate applicants |
| Duolingo English Test | 110 | Online alternative listed by SIUE for undergraduate applicants |
- Book the English test early enough to receive the official score report before the 01 October 2026 STEM closure.
- Choose IELTS when you can reliably meet the 5.5 component floor, or compare reporting speed across the other listed routes.
- Use the transcript and placement evidence to demonstrate mathematics readiness because an English score does not establish MATH 125 eligibility.
Read More: Southern Illinois University Computer Science programmes
Tip for Indian students: The published entry bar is manageable only when mathematics and English evidence arrive together. Prepare the MATH 125 readiness record, full transcript and component-level English scores before submitting the Spring 2027 file.
SIUE BS Computer Science Application 2027
Spring 2027 is the applicant-accessible target because the Fall 2026 international deadlines have passed. Computer Science is a STEM field, so SIUE states that applications close at the 01 October 2026 priority deadline.
The application is a two-step process: SIUE first reviews the academic file. After approval, it requests financial documents needed for Form I-20, the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. The undergraduate application fee is US$40 (INR 3,816), with a US$1.10 convenience fee (INR 105) for card payment.
Spring 2027 Application Stages
The table lists every published Spring stage relevant to an international Computer Science applicant. SIUE does not publish a clock time, timezone or decision date, so the portal date controls and the financial-document date is separate from academic submission.
| Spring 2027 stage | Published date | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| STEM priority deadline and Computer Science application closure | 01 October 2026 | Submit the complete online application, fee, transcripts and English evidence by this date |
| General Spring final deadline | 01 November 2026 | SIUE publishes this general date, but Computer Science applications close earlier at the STEM priority date |
| Financial documents for I-20 issuance | 15 November 2026 | Upload the financial file after academic approval so SIUE can issue the immigration document |
Applicants should submit by 30 September 2026 in India to avoid an unannounced portal cutoff or upload problem on the 01 October date. SIUE says official academic records can take approximately 15 business days to process and match, so request documents before the application is complete.
Application Documents and Review
Start with the online application, then upload academic records and certified English translations for documents not issued in English. Unofficial records can support review, but official transcripts and official test scores are required before formal admission and I-20 issuance.
- Use the application centre to upload the academic record, English evidence and supporting documents, then monitor missing-item notifications.
- Keep the financial evidence ready before academic approval because SIUE requests it in the second admission step for I-20 processing.
- Use the SAT or ACT only when it supports an automatic admission route, because SIUE does not require either test for admission consideration.
Fall-entry timing
SIUE publishes a recurring Fall pattern of 01 May priority, 01 June final and 15 June financial deadlines. The checked live page does not name Fall 2027, and the catalogue contains conflicting year labels, so treat those dates as tentative.
Use the next named cycle before submitting for Fall entry.
Application tip: The usable Computer Science deadline is 01 October 2026 because the STEM priority rule closes applications before the general 01 November date. Finish testing, transcripts and financial preparation before the priority cutoff.
SIUE BS Computer Science Scholarships 2027
The most usable Spring 2027 funding route is the Geographic Enhancement Opportunity (GEO) Award, which uses the admission application and is published for all terms. Other named routes either apply after enrolment or currently show Fall 2026 criteria, so they should not be deducted from the Spring budget without confirmation.
SIUE does not publish a Computer Science-specific international scholarship. The award table therefore separates funding that is compatible with a new Spring applicant from current published references and continuing-student support.
Target-cycle funding context: the GEO value below is for academic year 2026-27 and varies with course enrollment. Meridian details currently identify Fall 2026, so that row is prior-cycle context rather than a confirmed Spring 2027 award.
| Named funding route | Published value or mechanism | Amount (INR) | Eligibility, route and cycle status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geographic Enhancement Opportunity Award | US$10,676 per year for 2026-27, based on 12 credits per semester | INR 10.19 Lakhs | First-time full-time international students; admission application is the route; all terms; up to eight undergraduate semesters; actual amount varies with enrollment |
| Meridian Scholarship | Full tuition, mandatory fees, room and board | Billed costs vary | Current published details show Fall 2026 criteria, a separate scholarship application, 3.5 GPA or higher and 15 November priority or 01 December final dates; Spring 2027 is not confirmed |
| Geographic Enhancement Opportunity Plus Award | In-state tuition rate for eligible continuing international students | Future billed rate varies | Automatically reviewed route for continuing students; it is not an entry award for a new Spring 2027 applicant |
The GEO route has the clearest target-cycle value because SIUE lists it for fall, spring and summer and allows up to eight undergraduate semesters. Its undergraduate criteria cite at least a 79 TOEFL score, 6.5 IELTS or equivalent for academically qualified first-time students, which is stricter than the general undergraduate English minimum.
Meridian is much larger in scope because it covers eight undergraduate semesters, required fees, campus housing and a traditional meal plan. Its current criteria require a 3.5 GPA on 4.0, approximately 87.5% or CGPA 8.75 on 10 as a rough Indian planning equivalent.
The checked page names Fall 2026 rather than Spring 2027, so do not treat its terms as target-cycle funding.
- Submit the admission application by the STEM deadline so the GEO automatic review can occur without a separate funding form.
- Budget the gross engineering rate until SIUE confirms the GEO amount for your credit load, because the published value is based on 12 credits per semester.
- Do not treat Meridian’s current Fall 2026 deadline as a Spring 2027 promise, and ask whether a new first-year spring cycle will open.
- Keep health insurance and uncovered personal expenses in the funding plan because a full-tuition award does not remove every immigration funding requirement.
Funding check
GEO is the actionable Spring 2027 route, while Meridian remains a Fall 2026 reference and GEO+ begins after enrolment. Verify the next award cycle on the official international undergraduate scholarship page before reducing the family budget.
Scholarship reality: GEO can reduce the published international cost, but its value depends on credits and the award terms. Treat the INR 10.19 Lakhs figure as a published annual value, not a guaranteed net price for every semester.
SIUE BS Computer Science Salary 2027
SIUE does not publish a course-specific salary, offer rate or named-cohort employment report for this BS. The programme page instead says that, in recent years, 80% to 90% of graduates accepted a career position before graduation.
The 80% to 90% figure is a programme-page claim without a named cohort, salary measure or employer breakdown. It shows career preparation evidence, but it cannot establish a personal placement probability or starting salary.
| Evidence scope | Published outcome | Decision limitation |
|---|---|---|
| SIUE Computer Science programme page, cohort not named | 80% to 90% of graduates accepted a career position before graduation in recent years | No published cohort, salary, occupation, sector, geography or employer breakdown |
| SIUE programme description, not an employment report | Careers include software engineering, research science, technology infrastructure and technology consulting | Role examples are not graduate counts or guaranteed outcomes |
The department also reports internship and co-op recruitment by companies across Illinois, Chicago and St. Louis. Those opportunities can strengthen a student’s portfolio, but the page does not quantify participation or conversion into employment.
External market benchmark: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports software-developer wages for the national occupation, not Southern Illinois University graduates.
| Evidence scope | Salary measure | Salary (USD) | Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| External U.S. software-developer occupation, May 2024 | National median annual wage | US$133,080 | INR 1.27 Crore |
| External software-publisher sector, May 2024 | Median annual wage for software developers | US$149,990 | INR 1.43 Crore |
| External computer-systems-design sector, May 2024 | Median annual wage for software developers | US$129,890 | INR 1.24 Crore |
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 16% software-developer employment growth from 2024 to 2034. That occupation-level outlook is not a Southern Illinois University graduate outcome.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics software developer occupation data, May 2024 wage measures and 2024-34 outlook.
F-1 student status is the U.S. student-visa status used for on-campus study. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is post-study employment authorization for eligible F-1 students, and a qualifying STEM degree may add 24 months after the initial 12 months.
For return on investment (ROI), the four-year on-campus cost must be weighed against limited course-specific employment evidence. The calculated academic charge is US$118,240 (INR 1.13 Crore). Four years of living estimates add US$69,480 (INR 66.29 Lakhs), producing US$187,720 (INR 1.79 Crore) before travel and visa costs.
- The calculated US$187,720 (INR 1.79 Crore) four-year illustration excludes travel, visa charges and future rate changes, so build funding against the gross figure.
- The 80% to 90% career-position claim has no named cohort, so request a current department report and do not use it as an individual probability.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics software-developer median of US$133,080 (INR 1.27 Crore) is market evidence, so compare it with internships, portfolio strength and target location.
- The GEO published value of US$10,676 (INR 10.19 Lakhs) can reduce gross cost, but budget the full rate until SIUE confirms your credit-based award.
- An eligible F-1 student may receive 12 months of OPT and a possible 24-month STEM extension, so confirm the degree code before using work rights in ROI planning.
Take-home pay will vary with federal and state taxes, benefits, filing status and location. Run any target salary through a current U.S. tax calculator before comparing it with the calculated academic and living budget.
Read More: USA post-study work options
ROI reality: The programme page provides a positive but unnamed career-position range, while salary evidence is external. Use the four-year gross budget, confirmed funding and a target role before treating U.S. employment as part of the return.
United States Visa for SIUE BS Computer Science Students 2027
International students attending the on-campus BS normally need F-1 student status. The visa application fee is US$185 (INR 17,650), and the I-901 Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee is US$350 (INR 33,393), separate from university costs.
New F-1 student visas can be issued up to 365 days before the course start date, but entry is limited to 30 days before the start date. Check the official U.S. student visa rules after receiving the university’s Form I-20.
- Optional Practical Training can provide up to 12 months after graduation, while a qualifying STEM degree may support a 24-month extension under separate conditions.
- The USCIS practical-training rules require a degree code on the Department of Homeland Security STEM list, so verify the Computer Science code with SIUE before relying on the extension.
- H-1B specialty-occupation sponsorship has no universal salary threshold; employers must pay the higher of actual or prevailing wage for the role and location.
- F-2 dependent status can accompany a spouse or child, but F-2 dependants are not authorized to work, so include their costs without assuming household employment income.
Permanent residence has no fixed timeline after the BS. An employment-based route such as EB-2 (second-preference) or EB-3 (third-preference) depends on a qualifying employer and petition steps.
Immigrant-visa availability also affects timing, so permanent residence should not be counted as a guaranteed outcome.
Check Out: USA student visa requirements
Visa reality: The campus route can create access to F-1 study and possible OPT, but work authorization and permanent residence remain conditional. Confirm the Form I-20 degree code before using the 36-month maximum work-window illustration in your financial plan.
Southern Illinois University BS Computer Science fits a first-year Indian applicant with the mathematics preparation for MATH 125 and a full-time on-campus plan. Its 120-credit curriculum combines accredited computing study, senior projects and laboratory access, while the calculated four-year budget is US$187,720 (INR 1.79 Crore) before changes. The main tradeoff is that the career-position claim has no named cohort and no course-specific salary is published. Submit the complete Spring 2027 STEM application by 01 October 2026, then seek GEO review without reducing the gross budget prematurely.
Southern Illinois University BS Computer Science FAQs
Ques. Does SIUE BS Computer Science require prior programming experience?
Ans. The curriculum begins with CS 111 Concepts of Computer Science and CS 140 Introduction to Computing I, so prior programming is not listed as an entry requirement. You still need MATH 125 eligibility because the BS begins with calculus.
Ques. How much should an Indian applicant budget for SIUE BS Computer Science?
Ans. The calculated four-year academic charge is US$118,240 (INR 1.13 Crore), and four years of official living estimates add US$69,480 (INR 66.29 Lakhs). The combined illustration is US$187,720 (INR 1.79 Crore) before travel, visa costs, extra lab fees and future rate changes.
Ques. What GPA and English scores are needed for Spring 2027?
Ans. The automatic route uses a 2.6 high-school GPA on 4.0, roughly 65% or CGPA 6.5 on 10. Other published routes are available. English minimums are IELTS 6.0 overall with no band below 5.5, TOEFL 72, PTE 50 or Duolingo 110.
Ques. Can I submit after 01 October 2026 because the general Spring final date is 01 November?
Ans. Not for Computer Science unless SIUE changes the rule. The university lists Computer Science among STEM fields and says STEM applications close at priority, so use 01 October as the practical deadline and 15 November for financial documents.
Ques. Does the GEO award or F-1 work make the degree financially safe?
Ans. GEO is published at US$10,676 (INR 10.19 Lakhs) per year for 2026-27, but the amount varies with credits and is not a guaranteed net fee. F-1 graduates may access 12 months of OPT and possibly 24-month STEM OPT, but employment and sponsorship remain conditional.
Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | $20531 |
Other Expenses
| Head | Avg Cost Per Year |
|---|---|
| Living Expenses | $14320 |
| Health Insurance | $2583 |
Tuition fee per credit: $684.37
Previous Year Tuition Fees
| Year | 1st Year Fees |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $20531 |
Important Dates
| Event | Application Date |
|---|---|
| Priority Application Deadline For Fall Intake | |
Scores Required
TOP Scholarships
| Scholarship name | Award amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Meridian Scholarship | Covers Full tuition, mandatory fees, room and board cost. | Minimum 3.50 high school GPA (4.0 scale) |
Key Resources for Your Study Abroad Journey
Scholarship Grants & Financial Aids
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEC Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BeArt Presets-Academic Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 2,500/Yr$2,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 1,000/Yr$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Jagdish Bhagwati Fellowship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific | |
| Comindware Scholarship | Scholarship per student$ 4,000/Yr$4,000 | Level Of StudyApprenticeship | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Forktip Women’s- Innovation Scholarship | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific |















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