Arizona State University is best known among study-abroad applicants for its unusually open undergraduate admissions model, but its MS in Computer Science — housed in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering — is a different animal entirely: a large, ABET-accredited graduate program that feeds directly into the Phoenix tech and semiconductor corridor (Intel, TSMC's new Arizona fabs, Honeywell) via strong OPT and STEM-OPT pathways. For applicants comparing ASU against other large public CS master's programs, the pitch is a genuinely research-active R1 institution, one of the largest and most internationally diverse graduate CS cohorts in the US, and admissions criteria that are considerably more transparent and threshold-based than what you'll find at elite private schools.
This guide covers exactly what it takes to get into ASU's MS in Computer Science — acceptance rate realities, cost, requirements, English-test rules, and what graduates go on to do.
Acceptance Rate
ASU does not publish a specific acceptance rate for the MS in Computer Science, and it does not publish a single university-wide graduate acceptance rate at all. Graduate admission at ASU is decentralized by department, so a computer science master's and, say, an MBA are evaluated under entirely different review processes and criteria.
What we can say with confidence, grounded in ASU's own published data:
- ASU's undergraduate acceptance rate is approximately 88%, reflecting the university's stated mission as the "New American University" to expand access rather than restrict it. This figure is a weak proxy for graduate CS specifically — it describes a different applicant pool and a different (largely GPA/proficiency-threshold-based) review process.
- Fulton Schools of Engineering's MS in Computer Science is one of ASU's most popular graduate programs, drawing a large, competitive international applicant pool, which means its practical selectivity is very likely tighter than the university's broad-access undergraduate reputation would suggest — though ASU does not publish a number to confirm exactly how much tighter.
- Admission is evaluated primarily against a minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) and program-specific criteria rather than a fixed quota-driven acceptance rate, so a well-prepared applicant with a strong CS/engineering background and a complete application has a realistic shot without needing a near-perfect profile.
Bottom line: treat ASU's MS in Computer Science as meaningfully more competitive in practice than the 88% undergraduate headline number, but avoid any specific percentage claim — ASU simply doesn't publish one for this program.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
ASU graduate costs follow a standard international graduate schedule. Approximate annual figures (2026-2027, per ASU's published cost estimates):
| Cost Item | Amount (USD/year) |
|---|---|
| Tuition (international, MS in Computer Science) | $30,348 |
| Living expenses (Tempe/Phoenix area) | $36,298 |
| Total estimated cost of attendance | $66,646 |
For a standard two-year MS, this puts total program cost in the $130,000-$135,000 range before any funding. ASU's graduate application fee is $70. Unlike undergraduate admission, in-state tuition is not typically relevant to international graduate applicants, who are charged the international rate directly.
Funding is departmental rather than centralized: Fulton Schools offers teaching assistantships (TA) and research assistantships (RA) that combine a stipend with full or partial tuition remission, but these are competitive within a popular department like CS, so applicants relying on funding should apply early and reach out to individual labs or faculty directly.
Admission Requirements
ASU's MS in Computer Science is administered through ASU's Graduate Admission Services with Fulton Schools-specific supplements. Based on ASU's published graduate requirements:
- Application through ASU's Graduate Admission Services
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, with certified English translations if not originally in English
- Statement of purpose outlining your research or professional focus within CS
- Letters of recommendation (number varies by program)
- Resume/CV
- English proficiency scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo) unless exempt
- GRE: many ASU STEM master's programs, including several Fulton Schools tracks, are test-optional or do not require the GRE — always confirm the current policy on Fulton's specific CS admissions page, since this varies by cycle
- Minimum 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale) — ASU's published graduate baseline, though competitive CS applicants typically present a notably stronger transcript given the program's popularity
ASU runs rolling, program-specific deadlines rather than a single fixed date — Fall intake applications for graduate programs generally open from January through July depending on the program, so check Fulton's specific CS deadline rather than assuming a university-wide date.
How to Get Into ASU's MS in Computer Science
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Clear the 3.0 GPA floor comfortably, not exactly. ASU's published minimum is a floor, not a target; given how oversubscribed Fulton's CS master's program is relative to ASU's other graduate offerings, a transcript well above 3.0, ideally with strong grades in core CS/math coursework, meaningfully strengthens your file.
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Write a program-specific statement of purpose. ASU processes a very high volume of graduate applications; a generic "why CS" essay is easy to screen out. Naming specific research areas, faculty, or Fulton Schools labs you want to work with signals genuine intent.
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Confirm the current GRE policy before your cycle, and use it strategically if you submit it. Many Fulton Schools CS tracks are GRE-optional, but a strong quantitative score can still help applicants whose undergraduate transcript comes from a grading system unfamiliar to US reviewers.
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Apply early relative to your program's rolling deadline. Because ASU's graduate admissions are rolling and program-specific rather than a single hard cutoff, applying early — well before the priority window closes — improves both your admission odds and your access to teaching/research assistantship funding, which is awarded on a competitive, first-come basis within departments.
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Clear the English-proficiency bar with room to spare. ASU's graduate IELTS/TOEFL minimums are moderate by elite-school standards, so admissions committees have limited patience for borderline English scores when weighing a strong technical file against a weak one — see the next section for specifics.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
ASU's graduate-level English proficiency policy applies to the MS in Computer Science:
- IELTS: minimum 6.5 overall, recommended 7.0
- TOEFL: minimum 80 overall, recommended 90
- PTE Academic: minimum 58
- Duolingo English Test: minimum 105
- Waiver: waived for applicants who hold a bachelor's or graduate degree from an institution where English is the official language of instruction, subject to program-specific approval, or who are citizens of an ASU-recognized English-speaking country. Scores must be no more than two years old at your intended start date.
ASU also offers a genuine conditional admission pathway through its Global Launch division: applicants who meet the academic requirements but fall short on English proficiency can be admitted conditionally and complete Global Launch coursework (up to three semesters) before formally starting degree classes — a real differentiator from most elite-tier CS programs, which rarely offer a bridge into the degree itself.
Because Fulton's CS master's is one of ASU's most competitive graduate programs, clearing the minimums comfortably (7.0+ IELTS / 90+ TOEFL) removes English proficiency as a factor in your file entirely. For general context on ASU's broader admissions picture, see Arizona State University: Acceptance Rate, Fees, IELTS/TOEFL Requirements, and How to Get In.
Career Outcomes
ASU does not publish outcomes broken out specifically for the MS in Computer Science, but ASU's broader graduate outcomes data give a reasonable proxy, since CS is typically among the higher-earning fields within ASU's graduate population:
- Average graduate starting salary: ~$85,000 (university-wide graduate figure; CS-specific compensation, especially in software engineering roles, is typically above this blended average)
- Top recruiters (university-wide graduate): Intel, Amazon, Deloitte, Boeing, Microsoft, and American Express — with Fulton Schools CS graduates specifically also heavily recruited by the growing Phoenix semiconductor and tech corridor (Intel's Arizona fabs, TSMC's new Arizona facility, Honeywell)
Graduates of Fulton's CS master's, a STEM-designated program, are eligible for the standard 12-month OPT period plus the 24-month STEM OPT extension — up to three years of US work authorization after graduation without needing an H-1B immediately, which is a major part of ASU's practical value proposition for international CS students.
FAQ
Does ASU publish a specific acceptance rate for the MS in Computer Science? No. ASU does not publish a university-wide graduate acceptance rate, let alone a program-specific one. The undergraduate acceptance rate (~88%) is a weak proxy at best; Fulton's CS master's is one of ASU's most popular graduate programs and is very likely more selective in practice than that headline figure suggests.
Is the GRE required for ASU's MS in Computer Science? Many Fulton Schools STEM master's programs, including CS, are test-optional or do not require the GRE, but this policy has shifted across cycles industry-wide, so confirm the current requirement on Fulton's admissions page before applying.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for ASU's MS in Computer Science? ASU's graduate-wide minimum is IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80, with a recommended target of IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 90 given how competitive the program is.
How much does ASU's MS in Computer Science cost? International tuition is $30,348/year, with total estimated cost of attendance (including living expenses) around $66,646/year — roughly $130,000-$135,000 for the full two-year program before any funding.
Does ASU offer conditional admission if my English score is too low? Yes — ASU's Global Launch division offers a genuine conditional-admission pathway for academically qualified applicants who fall short on English proficiency, letting them complete English coursework (up to three semesters) before formally starting their CS coursework, without a new application.
What are the career outcomes for ASU CS graduates? ASU doesn't publish CS-specific salary data, but the university-wide graduate average starting salary is around $85,000, with CS-specific compensation typically above that blended figure. Graduates qualify for up to three years of US work authorization via OPT plus the STEM OPT extension.