Average IELTS Score for Top USA Universities

International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )

Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Jun 12, 2025 15:54 IST

The average IELTS scores required at top US universities range from 6.5 to 7.5. Top US universities like Harvard and Stanford typically expect higher band scores (around 7.0–7.5), while others accept a minimum of 6.5. Achieving higher IELTS scores will surely increase your admission chances.

IELTS Score for USA

Many students get confused because of the IELTS vs TOEFL debate. Some people say that TOEFL is better for American universities, but that is not really true. Almost all major and mid-level US universities accept IELTS scores, too. Every university has a different IELTS band score average.

In this article, we will show you a complete list of IELTS-accepting universities in USA, along with the average IELTS scores they require. The list given below provides IELTS scores for USA universities. 

Note: Tier 1 colleges are not included in this list, but for your reference, the average IELTS scores at the top universities in the US are either 7 or 7.5 

Table of contents
  • Average IELTS Score for USA Universities
  • Study Visa for the US
  • IELTS Requirement for USA Universities
  • Is TOEFL Better than IELTS for the USA?

Average IELTS Score for USA Universities

The average IELTS scores for top US universities are between 6.5 and 7.5.

  • Top universities like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT usually ask for 7.0 to 7.5
  • Other good universities accept IELTS scores starting from 6.0 or 6.5
  • A higher IELTS band score can improve your chances of admission

Study Visa for the US

There are three types of US Student Visa:

  • F Visa: It is for students who wish to attend a university/ college, high school, private elementary school, seminary, conservatory, and another academic institution, including a language training program
  • M Visa: It is for students who wish to attend a vocational or other recognized non-academic institution, other than a language training program
  • J Visa: It is for students, visiting scholars, or lecturers pursuing an exchange program

IELTS Requirement for USA Universities 

Below is a list of universities in the USA that accept IELTS. The average IELTS score and special requirements (if any) are listed.

University

Average Scores Accepted

Special Requirements

Abilene Christian University

6

 

Arkansas State University

5.5

College of Business: 6

Art Institute of Philadelphia

6.5

 

Assumption College

6

Master of Business Administration: 6

Avila University

6.5

 

Bay Path College

6

 

Ball State University

6.5

 

Binghamton University, State University of New York

6.5

 

Bellarmine University

6

W. Fielding Rubel School of Business: 6

Post-Baccalaureate: 6

Benedictine College

6.5

 

Boise State University

6.5

 

Buffalo State College, State University of New York (SUNY)

6

 

Butler University

6

 

California Institute of Integral Studies

6

 

California State University, Fullerton

6.5

 

California State University, Los Angeles

6

 

California University of Pennsylvania

5.5

 

Cambridge College

5.5

 

Campbellsville University

5

 

Carroll University

6

 

Catholic Distance University

6.5

 

Chadron State College

6.5

 

Cleveland State University

6

 

California State University, Fresno

6.5

 

California State University, Fullerton

6.5

 

California State University, Long Beach

6

 

Case Western Reserve University

7

 

Clark University

6.5

 

Clarkson University

6.5

 

SUNY Brockport

6.5

 

College of Saint Rose

6

 

College of Staten Island, City University of New York (CUNY)

6.5

Business Management: 7
Mental Health Counseling: 7

Colorado Technical University

6.5

 

Concordia College, Minnesota

5.5

 

Concordia University, Texas

6.5

 

Crown College

5

 

Dallas Baptist University

6

 

Drexel University

7

 

DigiPen Institute of Technology

6.5

 

Dominican University of California

7

 

Drake University

6.5

 

Drury University

5.5

 

D'Youville College

6

 

East Carolina University

6.5

 

East Stroudsburg University

6

 

Eastern New Mexico University

6.5

 

Eastern Oregon University

6

 

Edgewood College

6

 

Elon University

6.5

 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Arizona

6

 

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida

6

 

Fairleigh Dickinson University

6

 

Florida Gulf Coast University

6.5

 

Florida Institute of Technology

6

 

Faulkner University

5

 

Ferris State University

6.5

 

Florida Atlantic University

6.5

 

Florida Southern College

6.5

 

Friends University

5.5

 

Gannon University

6.5

 

Grand Valley State University

6.5

 

George Mason University

6.5

 

George Washington University

7

 

Georgia Southern University

6

 

Goldey-Beacom College

6.5

 

Henderson State University

6

School of Business: 6

High Point University

6.5

 

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

6

 

Illinois Institute of Technology

6.5

 

Illinois State University

6.5

 

Indiana University, Southeast

6

 

Indiana University-Purdue University, Indianapolis

6.5

Kelley School of Business: 7
School of Dentistry: 6.5

Ithaca College

6

 

Kansas State University, Manhattan

6.5

 

Kansas Wesleyan University

6.5

 

Kaplan University

6

 

Keiser University, Daytona Beach

6

 

Kennesaw State University

6.5

 

Kent State University

6

College of Business Administration: 6
Department of Geology: 6
Master of Science in Chemistry: 6

Lesley University

6.5

 

LeTourneau University

6

 

Lewis University

6

 

Long Island University, Brooklyn Campus

6.5

 

MacMurray College

6.5

 

Manhattanville College

6.5

 

Marquette University

6

 

Michigan State University

6.5

 

Michigan Technological University

6.5

 

Marylhurst University

6.5

 

Maryville University

6

 

Marywood University

6

Biotechnology: 6
Business & Managerial Science: 6
Communication Arts: 6
Health Sciences: 6
Nutrition: 6
Psychology: 6

McDaniel College

6

 

McNeese State University

6

 

Mercy College

6.5

 

Miami International University of Art and Design

6.5

 

Middle Tennessee State University

6

 

Millersville University of Pennsylvania

6.5

 

Minot State University

6

College of Business: 6

Mississippi College

6

 

Mississippi University for Women

6

Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology: 7

Missouri State University, Springfield

6

 

Monmouth University

6

 

Montana State University, Billings

6.5

 

Murray State University

6.5

 

National American University, Albuquerque

6.5

 

National American University, Allen

6.5

 

National University

5.5

 

North Carolina State University

6.5

 

New Mexico State University

6.5

 

New York Institute of Technology, Central Islip

6

Computer Science PhD: 6.5

New York Institute of Technology, Manhattan

6

School of Management Master of Business Administration: 6

New York Institute of Technology, Old Westbury

6

 

Northwest Baptist Seminary

7.5

 

San Francisco Bay University

6

 

Notre Dame College

6

 

Notre Dame de Namur University

6

 

Nova Southeastern University

6

H. Wayne Huizenga School of Business and Entrepreneurship: 6

Oklahoma City University

6.5

 

Oklahoma State University

6.5

 

Oregon Institute of Technology

6

 

Oregon State University

6.5

 

University of the Pacific

6.5

 

Pennsylvania State University

6.5

 

Pepperdine University

6.5

 

Purdue University

6.5

 

Purdue University, Hammond

6

 

Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts

6.5

 

Point Loma Nazarene University

6.5

 

Point Park University

6

 

Robert Morris University

6.5

School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science: 6.5

School of Business: 6.5

School of Nursing, Education and Human Studies: 7

School of Informatics, Humanities and Social Sciences: 7

Rockford College

6

 

Rochester Institute of Technology

7.5

 

Roosevelt University

6.5

 

Roger Williams University

6.5

 

Rowan University, Camden

6

 

Rowan University, Glassboro

6

 

Saginaw Valley State University

6.5

 

Saint Michael's College

6.5

 

Saint Peter's University

6.5

 

Salem State College

6.5

 

Southeastern Oklahoma State University

6.5

 

Schiller International University, Florida

6.5

 

Siena Heights University

6.5

 

Silicon Valley University

7

 

SIT Graduate Institute

7

 

Southeast Missouri State University

6

 

Saint Joseph’s University

6.5

 

Sam Houston University

6.5

 

San Diego State University

6.5

 

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

6.5

 

Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville

6.5

 

Southern Methodist University

6.5

 

State University of New York (SUNY) Upstate Medical University

6.5

 

SUNY, Stonybrook

6.5

 

Southeastern Louisiana University

6

 

Southern Oregon University

6

 

St. Ambrose University

6.5

 

State University of New York (SUNY) Maritime College

6.5

 

Texas Christian University

6.5

 

Texas Woman’s University

6.5

 

Tulane University

6.5

 

Texas A&M University, College Station

6

Mays Business School: 6
Health Science Center: 6

Texas A&M University, Kingsville

6

 

Texas State University

6.5

 

Texas Tech University

6.5

 

Tiffin University

6

 

Troy University

6.5

 

Truman State University

6

 

Union Graduate College

7

 

Union College

7

 

University of Advancing Technology

6.5

 

University of North Carolina, Wilmington

6

 

University of North Florida

6.5

 

University of North Texas

6

 

University of Oklahoma

6

 

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

6

 

University of Central Missouri

6

 

University of Charleston

6

 

University of Colorado, Boulder

6.5

 

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

6.5

 

University of Evansville

5.5

 

University of Florida

6.5

Hough Graduate School of Business, Warrington College of Business Administration: 6

University of Hawaii, Hilo

5.5

Graduate assistantship: 7

University of Pittsburgh

7

 

University of Portland

6.5

 

University of Rhode Island

6.5

 

University of South Florida

6.5

 

University of Southern Mississippi

6

 

University of St. Thomas

6.5

 

University of Tampa

6.5

 

University of Tennessee

6.5

 

University of Houston, Clear Lake

6.5

 

University of Idaho

6.5

 

University of La Verne

6.5

 

University of Maine, Orono

6.5

 

University of Massachusetts, Boston

6

 

University of Arizona

6.5

 

University of Arkansas

6.5

 

University of Bridgeport

6.5

 

University of Maryland University College

7

 

University of Massachusetts Amherst

6.5

 

University of Michigan

6.5

 

University of Minnesota

6.5

 

University of Memphis

6

 

University of New Haven

7.5

 

University of North Alabama

6

 

University of Northern Virginia

6.5

 

University of South Dakota

6

School of Business: 6

University of Alaska, Fairbanks

6

 

University of Southern Indiana

6

 

University of Tennessee, Chattanooga

6.5

 

University of Texas, el paso

6.5

 

University of the Cumberlands

6

 

University of Alabama

6

 

University of Dayton

6

 

University of New Orleans

6.5

 

University of Texas of the Permian Basin

6

 

University of Texas, Dallas

6.5

 

University of Vermont

6.5

 

University of the West

6.5

 

University of Toledo

6.5

 

University of Tulsa

6.5

 

University of Utah

6.5

 

University of Wisconsin, La Crosse

6.5

 

University of Wisconsin, Parkside

6.5

 

University of Wyoming

6.5

 

Upper Iowa University

7

Master of Business Administration: 6
Master of Higher Education Administration: 6
Master Public Administration: 6

Utah State University

6

 

Valparaiso University

6

 

Virginia International University

7

 

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

6.5

College of Natural Resources: Geospatial and Environmental Analysis Doctoral Program: 6

Department of Economics (Ph.D. program): 6
Master of Education: 7
MS in Biomedical Technology Development and Management: 7
Department of English: 8

West Chester University of Pennsylvania

6

 

West Texas A&M University

6.5

 

Western Connecticut State University

6

 

Western Kentucky University

6.5

Gordon Ford College of Business, Master of Business Administration: 6

Western Oregon University

5

 

Westminster College, Utah

6.5

Master of Arts in Community Leadership: 7
Master of Arts in Teaching: 7

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

7

 

Wayne State University

6.5

 

Wilkes University

6

 

Wright State University

7.5

 

York College of Pennsylvania

6.5

Master of Business Administration: 6

Is TOEFL Better than IELTS for the USA?

Many students ask this, but here's the truth:

Score Predictor

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  • Both IELTS and TOEFL are accepted in the US
  • Some schools prefer TOEFL, but many are test-flexible
  • IELTS Academic is accepted for most undergraduate and postgraduate courses
  • Always check the official website of the university to confirm
Q:   Is IELTS accepted in USA?
A:

Yes. IELTS is accepted in USA. However, TOEFL has more popularity in the US, when compare to IELTS. 

Q:   What is the minimum IELTS score for USA?
A:

The minimum IELTS score for USA depends on the university requirements. Tier 1 colleges and universities usually require a score of 7 and above.

Q:   What is the average GMAT cutoff for MBA in USA?
A:

The average GMAT cutoff for MBA in USA ranges anywhere between 545 to 755. The applicants can aim for B-schools in USA accordingly. 

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About the Author
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Written by
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Raushan Kumar is a skilled writer and a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. He oversees various aspects of studying abroad, including educational opportunities, entrance exams, colleges, latest new Read Full Bio
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Comments

(32)

P

Pooja

2 years ago

Hi I got 6 bands in IELTS with each 6 Can I get admission in mph in USA or in canada for post gradute health care administration please guide me which country I choose?

Reply to Pooja

P

Pooja

2 years ago

please reply me

P

Prabesh Dhakal

3 years ago

NAME-Prabesh Dhakal IELTS-overall 6.5(L-7,R-7,W-6 and S-5) +2:3.57 out of 4 (science with major maths) SEE:3.5 out of 4 Now I would like to go USA for BIT.

Reply to Prabesh Dhakal

A

Aprant Agarwal

3 years ago

For counseling services, please contact our experts here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply

M

Maroju Sravani

3 years ago

Hii I got 5.5 in ielts I want to do mph in usa is there any university please let me know

Reply to Maroju Sravani

A

Abdul Kadir

3 years ago

Name: Abdul Kadir IELTS: overall 6( L-6,R-6,W-6 and S-5.5) Bachelor of business administration:3.04 out of 4.0( Major in finance) Higher secondary certificate:4.6 out 5 ( Business study) Secondary school certificate:4.88 out of 5 (Business study) Now I would like to go USA for MBA.

Reply to Abdul Kadir

P

Piyush Kohli

3 years ago

Hi Abdul, please go through the below URL and check out the entry requirements of the list of universities offering MBA in USA: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/usa/mba-colleges-dc

h

habeeb khaled

3 years ago

I got 6.0 can i do ms in mls in usa

Reply to habeeb khaled