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The USACO (USA Computing Olympiad) is the United States’ olympiad in informatics: a free, online algorithmic programming competition that is open to students worldwide. Its results select the four students who represent the USA at the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), and MIT Admissions’ blog lists USACO as the US qualifying competition for the IOI.…

Introduction to USACO The USA Computing Olympiad (USACO) is a free, largely online programming competition for middle and high school students. It is open to students worldwide, and its low barrier to entry, no registration fee and no travel for the monthly rounds, has made it a popular choice for students who want to develop…

The international science olympiads are among the best-known academic competitions for high-school students: mathematics has the IMO, physics the IPhO, chemistry the IChO, biology the IBO, and informatics (computer science) the IOI. Because computer science carries a certain “high-tech” reputation, some families assume competitive programming is out of reach before they even start. In practice,…

Why take part in the USACO, and when is it held? What are the 2026 contest dates, and how should you prepare? If you are a high-school student interested in computer science, USACO is one of the best-known high-school programming contests to have on your radar. This guide covers what it is, how it works,…

In U.S. college admissions, USACO (the USA Computing Olympiad) is one of the most recognized computer science competitions for high-school students. Strong results can strengthen a computer science application, and MIT Admissions’ blog lists USACO as the US qualifying competition for the International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI). USACO is free to enter and open to…

If you’re a middle- or high-school student interested in programming and computer science but unsure which competition to start with, the USACO (USA Computing Olympiad) is worth a look. It has a low entry barrier and a clear four-division difficulty ladder, and each season runs three monthly online contests plus the US Open, with start…

Many families first hear about the USA Computing Olympiad (USACO) as a way for a student to demonstrate real computer-science ability, and they naturally have questions: What exactly is this competition? What does a student need to learn to go from a standing start to being competition-ready? How much harder does each level get, and…

The USA Computing Olympiad (USACO) is one of the best-known algorithmic programming competitions open to high-school students worldwide. It is free to enter, run primarily online, and organized into four ascending divisions, so participants start at their own level and work their way up. MIT Admissions’ blog lists USACO as the US qualifying competition for…

If your child is aiming for a STEM major and wants a well-regarded, accessible programming competition to add to their academic profile, the USA Computing Olympiad (USACO) is worth a close look. It is free to enter, open to complete beginners, and structured so that students can start at the bottom and work their way…

Quick answer: The 2025-26 USACO season was a transitional year that brought several notable changes to how contests are run. The US Open moved to in-person proctoring, Gold and Platinum contestants now have a fixed window to start a contest if they want a certified score, and Platinum participants were reset to Gold at the…