About this competition
USACO is the premier U.S. competitive-programming competition for pre-college students. Contests run roughly monthly from December through April, with four divisions — Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum — that you promote through by hitting the cutoff in any given contest.
USACO promotion (especially to Gold or Platinum) is one of the strongest credentials a high schooler can have for selective CS programs and tech-focused colleges. The platform and contests are completely free.
Season & deadlines
Four contests per season (December, January, February, US Open in March/April).
Season window: December through April.
Cost
Free — Completely free. Anyone with a computer and a programming language can participate.
Prizes & outcomes
Division promotions; top finishers compete for USACO national team to IOI
Prep resources
- Official rules and game manual · website
- USACO Guide (free curriculum, Bronze—Platinum) · prep guide
Contest results & promotion cutoffs
Per-contest participation counts and promotion cutoff scores across 112 recorded division entries.
Summer coding camps near you
Most USACO Bronze finishers spent at least one summer at a competitive-programming camp first.
Preparing for USACO Bronze?
USACO Bronze Bootcamp is forming the next pilot cohort. Join the interest list — no commitment, no payment, we'll reach out personally.