Computer Science at the University of North Texas is housed in the College of Engineering, within the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, and offers both a BS in Computer Science and an MS in Computer Science. For international students, the MS in Computer Science is a particularly popular route: it's a research-active department inside a large public university, positioned in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, one of the largest tech-hiring corridors in the US outside Silicon Valley and the Northeast.
This guide covers what it takes to get into UNT's Computer Science programs (undergraduate and graduate), acceptance rate context, cost, admission requirements, English-test rules, and what graduates go on to do.
Acceptance Rate
UNT does not publish a separate acceptance rate for Computer Science specifically, at either the undergraduate or graduate level:
- Undergraduate: admission to the BS in Computer Science runs through UNT's standard university-wide undergraduate process; UNT's overall undergraduate acceptance rate was approximately 71% for Fall 2025, though international applicants specifically were admitted at a notably lower rate, around 41%, per third-party aggregation of UNT's Common Data Set (not an official UNT-published figure in this exact form)
- Graduate (MS in Computer Science): UNT does not publish a department-level admit rate for the MS in Computer Science. Admission is handled directly by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering based on GPA, GRE scores, and English proficiency rather than a fixed quota, so there is no single reliable published percentage to cite; treat any specific number you see from aggregator sites as an unverified estimate.
Bottom line: for undergraduate applicants, the general university admission bar is the real gate. For graduate applicants, admission is closer to a threshold-based (GPA, GRE, English score) process at the departmental level than a highly comparative, low-single-digit-percent selection process.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
UNT publishes estimated international student costs of attendance separately for undergraduate and graduate students, for the 2026-27 academic year (9-month academic year, 12 credit hours/semester):
| Cost Item | Undergraduate (Engineering, example) | Graduate (College of Engineering/Information range) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition and fees | ~$22,521/year | ~$17,000-$31,500/year (varies by college) |
| Living expenses | ~$18,955/year | ~$18,955/year |
| Other expenses (books, insurance, supplies) | ~$3,926/year | ~$3,926/year |
| Total estimated cost of attendance | ~$45,402/year | ~$40,000-$54,000/year |
For a two-year MS in Computer Science, this puts total program cost in roughly the $80,000-$108,000 range before any funding, scholarships, or assistantships (this is a straightforward multiplication of UNT's published annual estimate, not a figure UNT itself publishes as a program total). Graduate students in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering can pursue teaching or research assistantships, which typically combine a stipend with partial or full tuition remission, though these are competitive and not guaranteed to all admitted students; confirm current funding availability directly with the department.
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate (BS in Computer Science)
- Completed application via ApplyTexas or the Common Application
- Official secondary school transcripts, with certified English translations if not originally in English
- UNT is test-optional: SAT/ACT are not required, though a strong quantitative score can support your application
- A GPA equivalent to roughly 3.0/4.0 is the practical bar for a strong, straightforward admission
- Evidence of English proficiency (see below), unless exempt
Graduate (MS in Computer Science)
Based on the Department of Computer Science and Engineering's published admission requirements:
- Completed graduate application through UNT's Toulouse Graduate School
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 generally expected
- GRE: required for most applicants (typical admitted-student profiles reported by the department cluster around Verbal ~148, Quantitative ~155, Analytical Writing ~3.5); always confirm current policy directly with the department, since GRE requirements have shifted at many US graduate programs in recent cycles
- Statement of purpose outlining research or professional focus within CS
- Letters of recommendation, typically two to three, ideally from academic or research supervisors
- Resume/CV
- English proficiency scores, unless exempt (IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 4 on the redesigned scale, or PTE 53, per the department's published requirements)
Because departmental admission requirements can shift between catalog years, always confirm current specifics on the Department of Computer Science and Engineering's own graduate admissions page before applying.
How to Get Into UNT's Computer Science Program
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Undergraduate applicants: build a strong, well-rounded academic transcript. Since UNT is test-optional and undergraduate CS admission runs through the general university process, your GPA and core coursework (math, sciences) are the most direct lever you control. Aim comfortably above the 3.0 guaranteed-admission threshold.
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Graduate applicants: treat the GRE as a real signal, not a formality, unless your department explicitly waives it. Typical admitted-student GRE profiles reported by the department are solid but not extreme (Quantitative in the mid-150s), so a strong quant score can meaningfully strengthen a borderline application, particularly for applicants whose undergraduate transcript comes from a grading system unfamiliar to the admissions committee.
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Show demonstrated technical experience beyond coursework. For MS applicants especially, prior internships, personal projects, open-source contributions, or research assistant experience help differentiate an application in a department that receives a large volume of international graduate applications.
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Write a specific, not generic, statement of purpose. Identify a concrete area of interest within CS (systems, AI/ML, data science, cybersecurity, etc.) and connect it to your prior coursework or project work, rather than writing a broad "I love computer science" narrative.
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Clear the English proficiency threshold with a comfortable margin. Entering right at the minimum (IELTS 6.0) can make first-semester coursework, teaching assistant duties (if funded), and technical presentations harder than necessary; where possible, aim meaningfully above the stated floor.
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Apply early, especially if you want funding consideration. Teaching and research assistantship positions are limited and often allocated to early, complete applications, so don't wait until the final deadline if funding matters to your decision.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
UNT applies its standard university-wide English-proficiency minimums to Computer Science applicants at both levels, based on the university's and department's own published pages:
- IELTS Academic: minimum 6.0 overall
- TOEFL iBT: minimum 79 (for exams taken before January 21, 2026); 4 on the redesigned scale (for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026)
- PTE Academic: minimum 53
- Duolingo English Test: minimum 100 (per UNT's university-wide undergraduate page; graduate department-specific pages may reference a slightly different accepted minimum, so confirm current Duolingo policy directly with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering if you plan to submit it)
UNT does not accept combined or superscored results (including TOEFL MyBest or IELTS One Skill Retake). For the full breakdown of UNT's English-proficiency policy, waiver eligibility, and score-freshness rules, see the University of North Texas guide.
Career Outcomes
Computer Science is one of the most STEM-OPT-relevant degrees a UNT graduate can hold. Graduates of the BS and MS in Computer Science qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension on top of the standard 12-month OPT period, giving up to three years of US work authorization after graduation without needing an H-1B immediately.
On broader outcomes:
- Third-party salary aggregators put computer-engineering-adjacent undergraduate majors among UNT's highest-paying, with reported median first-year earnings in the high-$60,000s; UNT does not publish an official, program-specific starting salary figure for Computer Science specifically
- UNT's location in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex places graduates near a large concentration of tech employers and corporate technology hubs, though UNT does not publish a Computer-Science-specific employer list or placement rate
- University-wide, UNT's career center reports that the large majority of surveyed students found its career services helpful for securing jobs or internships, though this is not broken out by major
Because UNT does not publish Computer-Science-specific placement or salary data, applicants should treat aggregator figures as directional estimates and research current recruiting relationships directly through the College of Engineering's career services resources.
FAQ
Does UNT publish a separate acceptance rate for Computer Science? No. Undergraduate CS admission runs through UNT's standard university-wide process (roughly 71% overall, though international applicants are admitted at a notably lower estimated rate around 41%). The MS in Computer Science doesn't have a published department-level acceptance rate; admission is threshold-based on GPA, GRE, and English proficiency rather than a fixed quota.
Is the GRE required for UNT's MS in Computer Science? Generally yes, based on the department's published admission requirements, though policies can shift between cycles, so confirm current requirements directly with the Department of Computer Science and Engineering before applying.
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need for UNT Computer Science? UNT's university-wide minimums apply: IELTS 6.0 overall, TOEFL iBT 79 (4 on the redesigned scale for tests from January 21, 2026 onward), or PTE 53. There is no published higher threshold specific to Computer Science.
How much does UNT's MS in Computer Science cost? Based on UNT's published 2026-27 estimates, total cost of attendance for international graduate students in engineering/computer-science-adjacent colleges runs roughly $40,000-$54,000/year, putting a two-year MS in the rough vicinity of $80,000-$108,000 before any funding.
Does UNT offer funding for MS in Computer Science students? Not guaranteed to all admitted students. The department offers teaching and research assistantships, which typically combine a stipend with partial or full tuition remission, but availability is competitive and limited, so apply early and confirm current funding prospects directly with the department.
Is UNT's Computer Science degree STEM-OPT eligible? Yes. Both the BS and MS in Computer Science are STEM-designated, qualifying international graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension in addition to standard 12-month OPT.