Computer Science, specifically the fully online Master of Science in Computer Science, is one of the single most popular programs at University of the Cumberlands among international students, and it's a genuinely important part of why Cumberlands ranks among the most enrolled US destinations for Indian graduate students. The program is 100% online, structured in eight-week bi-terms, and covers standard CS graduate ground (algorithms and data structures, computer architecture, advanced operating systems, software engineering, compiler theory, computer networks). Its main draw for international applicants isn't research depth, it's low cost, a low admission bar, and, for students in the executive track, first-semester CPT eligibility. This article lays out exactly what that looks like in practice.
Acceptance Rate
Cumberlands does not publish a program-specific acceptance rate for Computer Science, at either the undergraduate or graduate (M.S.) level. The only available reference point is the university-wide undergraduate acceptance rate reported by US News & World Report at roughly 99% (a third-party estimate, not an official Cumberlands figure); there is no published graduate-level acceptance rate at all.
In practice, graduate CS admission is criteria-based rather than competitive: applicants meeting the minimum GPA (2.5/4.0, with conditional admission available for some online applicants) and English proficiency requirements are admitted without a comparative review process or a capped number of seats.
Fees and Cost of Attendance
| Program | Cost |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Computer Science (online) | $220/credit hour |
| Undergraduate Computer Science (on-campus, "One Price Promise") | ~$19,175/year (tuition, housing, dining, fees, books, technology included) |
| Standard online M.S. in Computer Science | ~$355/credit hour (average graduate rate) |
| Executive M.S. in Computer Science (CPT-integrated track) | $549/credit hour |
A standard online M.S. in Computer Science (typically 30-36 credit hours) therefore costs roughly $10,650-$12,780 in total tuition at the standard rate, or roughly $16,470-$19,764 on the executive/CPT-integrated track, still well below the $30,000-$60,000+ that a comparable CS master's costs at most other US universities. Cumberlands' official international-student pages do not list a specific merit scholarship for Computer Science applicants; confirm current aid availability directly with admissions.
Admission Requirements
- Completed graduate application and application fee
- Official bachelor's degree transcripts (in computer science or a related quantitative field; Cumberlands' program is generally open to related backgrounds, but confirm current prerequisite policy for your specific undergraduate major)
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (conditional admission available in some cases)
- English proficiency score for non-native speakers (see below)
- No GRE/GMAT requirement found published for this program
At the undergraduate level, admission requires a completed application, an official high school transcript with a minimum 2.0 GPA, and an English proficiency score (or qualifying ACT 17+/SAT 920+ for non-native speakers who took those exams).
How to Get Into Cumberlands' Computer Science Program
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Meet the published GPA and English-proficiency minimums and the application is largely a formality, since Cumberlands does not run a competitive, seat-limited graduate review for this program.
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Decide upfront between the standard and executive (CPT-integrated) tracks. The executive track costs more per credit hour but builds practical training into the curriculum starting in your first semester; the standard track is cheaper but doesn't have that same built-in CPT structure. This is a genuine curricular difference, not just a pricing tier, review both program pages carefully before choosing.
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If pursuing the CPT-integrated track, line up a job offer in a computer-science-related role early, since CPT requires a written offer on company letterhead, a signed cooperative agreement, and concurrent enrollment in the matching academic course, it isn't automatic just because you're in the executive program.
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Track your CPT usage carefully if you go the executive route. Full-time CPT for 12 months or more disqualifies you from OPT eligibility entirely, a critical planning point if you intend to use standard 12-month OPT or the 24-month STEM OPT extension after graduation.
English Proficiency Requirement (IELTS/TOEFL)
- IELTS: 6.0 overall (undergraduate and graduate)
- TOEFL iBT: 65 (updating to a "4" on TOEFL's redesigned 1-6 scale for tests taken after January 21, 2026)
- Duolingo English Test: 95 (undergraduate), 100 (graduate)
- PTE Academic: not listed as an accepted option on Cumberlands' official admissions pages; confirm directly with admissions if this is your only test
- Waiver: waived for applicants who completed a bachelor's degree in the US, or at least nine hours of master's-level coursework in the US at a regionally accredited institution
These thresholds are notably low by US graduate-admissions standards. For the full breakdown of Cumberlands' testing policy, CPT/OPT structure, and honest fit assessment, see University of the Cumberlands' full guide.
Career Outcomes
University-wide, third-party data (College Factual, not an official Cumberlands figure) reports roughly 91.6% of alumni employed within three years of graduating, with a median salary around $51,882 four years out; this is a blended figure across all majors, not specific to Computer Science graduates, and Cumberlands does not appear to publish CS-specific outcomes data separately.
Computer Science is a STEM-designated program, so graduates on F-1 status qualify for standard 12-month OPT plus the 24-month STEM OPT extension (requiring an E-Verify-enrolled employer and a completed Form I-983 training plan), up to three years of total US work authorization. Students on the executive/CPT-integrated track should plan CPT usage carefully: full-time CPT for 12 months or more forfeits OPT eligibility entirely, so heavy CPT use and the STEM OPT extension are, in practice, a trade-off rather than something you get both of automatically.
FAQ
What is the acceptance rate for Cumberlands' Computer Science program? Not published at the program level. The only available reference is the university-wide undergraduate figure of roughly 99% (a third-party US News estimate); graduate admission is criteria-based rather than competitive, with no published rate.
How much does the M.S. in Computer Science cost? Roughly $355/credit hour on the standard online track (about $10,650-$12,780 total for a 30-36 credit degree), or $549/credit hour on the executive/CPT-integrated track (about $16,470-$19,764 total).
What IELTS or TOEFL score do I need? IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 65 for both undergraduate and graduate admission, among the lowest thresholds covered in this guide series.
Does the program require the GRE? No published GRE requirement was found for Cumberlands' graduate Computer Science program; confirm current policy directly with admissions.
Can I start CPT in my first semester? On the executive track, yes, CPT is built into the curriculum as an integral part of the degree and can be requested starting in the first semester, provided you have a qualifying job offer and signed cooperative agreement.
Is Cumberlands' Computer Science program eligible for STEM OPT? Yes, it carries a STEM designation, qualifying graduates for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, as long as full-time CPT usage hasn't already exceeded 12 months and disqualified you from OPT.