Minimum IELTS Score for USA: Band Requirement, Top US Universities

International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )

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Raushan
Raushan Kumar
Assistant Manager Content
Updated on Sep 25, 2024 16:59 IST

Planning to study in USA? If so, one of the admission requirements you have to fulfill is demonstrating English language proficiency. Top universities in USA accept IELTS scores as evidence of English language proficiency for admission purposes. So, knowing the minimum IELTS requirement for top universities in USA will be helpful during admission.

Minimum IELTS Score for USA

The United States is a go-to-go destination for almost every student who is planning to study abroad. The USA is in popular demand for students seeking high-quality education with best job prospects. Now, the first question in every student's mind is how to apply as an international student in USA?

To get admission in USA universities, non-native English speakers must demonstrate their English proficiency through standardized tests. Many US universities accept IELTS scores for granting admission to students from non native English speaking countries. However, the minimum IELTS score for USA varies depending on which university you choose and which program you opt for.

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The average IELTS band score for USA ranges between 6.0 to 6.5. But, again, the IELTS score requirements for top universities in USA will be above average. So students who want to study in USA and know about the minimum IELTS score required for top USA universities can check the article below. 








IELTS Band Score Requirement to Study in USA

The IELTS exam assesses four key language skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each skill is scored on a band scale from 0 to 9. The required IELTS scores for USA can vary depending on the level of study and the university you are applying for. One can check the minimum IELTS scores required for US universities from below. 







Level of Study

Minimum IELTS Score

Undergraduate Programs

6.0

Postgraduate Programs

6.5

IELTS score Requirements for Top Universities in USA 

QS has ranked 197 US universities in QS World University Rankings 2025. Top USA universities are the best in the world, so students should aim for a good IELTS score to get admission. Most universities in the USA generally require a minimum overall band score between 6.0 and 6.5, with some top universities in USA accepting IELTS scores of 7.0 or higher.

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QS Ranking 2025

University

Minimum IELTS Score

1

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

7.0 & Above

4

Harvard University

6.5 & Above

6

Stanford University

7.0 & Above

10

California Institute of Technology (Caltech)

7.0 & Above

11

University of Pennsylvania

6.5 & Above

12

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

7.0 & Above

16

Cornell University

7.5 & Above

21

University of Chicago

7.0 & Above

22

Princeton University

8.0 & Above

23

Yale University

7.0 & Above

32

Johns Hopkins University

7.0 & Above

34

Columbia University

7.5 & Above

42

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

7.0 & Above

43

New York University (NYU)

7.0 & Above

44

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor

6.5 & Above

50

Northwestern University

6.5 & Above

58

Carnegie Mellon University

7.5 & Above

61

Duke University

7.0 & Above

66

University of Texas at Austin

6.5 & Above

69

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

6.5 & Above

Also Check: IELTS Score for Finland

List of Universities with Minimum IELTS Score for USA

Getting admission in top USA universities is not everyone's cup of tea, as it requires better academic records, along with a good command of their English. The proficiency in English is assessed by USA universities through standardized tests.  

It might be challenging for someone to score a higher IELTS band score of 6.5 & above, who are planning to study in USA. So, students search for 5.5 IELTS score universities in USA and even IELTS 4.5 accepted universities in USA. One can check the list of US universities which accept 5.5 IELTS scores from the table. 

University

IELTS overall band score requirement 

California State University 

5.5 & Above

University of Wisconsin

Score of 6.0 or above, with no sub-score below 5.5

State University New York

5.5 & Above

University of Mississippi

5.5 & Above

Southern New Hampshire University

5.5 & Above

Murray State University

5.5 & Above

Free IELTS Class by Shiksha - Registration 

IELTS Requirement for Popular Courses in USA for Indian Students

For Indian students aspiring to study in USA, understanding the IELTS score requirements for various popular degrees and courses can improve the chances of admission into desired programs.  As, knowing how much IELTS score required for USA universities, or degrees you are targeting will help you to prepare accordingly. BE/BTech, BBA, MS and MBA/PGDM are the top streams to study in USA. The degree-wise IELTS scores in USA are mentioned below. 

IELTS Score for Best Engineering Universities in USA

One can check the IELTS score requirement for top USA Universities which offer Engineering programs in popular specializations like Computer Science, Chemical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, etc.

Engineering Universities in USA

Minimum IELTS Score for BE/BTech

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

7 & Above

University of California, Berkeley (UCB)

7 & Above

Georgia Institute of Technology

6 & Above

Carnegie Mellon University

7.5 & Above

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

6.5 & Above

IELTS Score for Best MS Universities in USA

One can check the IELTS score requirement for MS in USA for popular universities below. 

Top MS Universities in USA

Minimum IELTS Score Requirement

Arizona State University

6.5 - 7

Texas A & M University

6 - 7

Northeastern University

6.5 - 7.5

Mississippi State University

6.5 - 7.5

Eastern Michigan University

6.5 & Above

IELTS Score for Best MBA Universities in USA

Candidates can check the IELTS score requirements for MBA universities in USA from below.

Top MBA Universities in USA

Minimum IELTS Score Requirement

Harvard University

6.5 - 7.5

The University of Southern Mississippi

6 & Above

Columbia University

7 & Above

University of California - Berkeley

7 & Above

The University of Chicago

7 & Above

How to Improve IELTS Band Score to study in USA? 

Scoring a good IELTS score is key to getting admission in US universities. One needs to be fully prepared to get a high IELTS band score in the test. One can check the tips to score a good IELTS score. 

  • One should start their IELTS preparation by understanding the test modules, exam duration, what is the structure of question types, and of course IELTS syllabus.
  • The IELTS exam assesses the English proficiency of a candidate in four major sections, IELTS Listening Section, IELTS Reading Section, IELTS Writing Section and IELTS Speaking Section. So, candidates need to focus on each section efficiently. 
  • Improvement on English grammar is a must for getting a good IELTS score. 
  • To get a good score in the IELTS Reading Section, one should start reading newspapers, books, online academic blogs, etc loudly and clearly.
  • The listening skills will be developed by listening to good academic podcasts, watching movies, news, radio and more. 
  • Getting a IELTS band score above 7 will not be possible, if you don't have a good grasp on vocabulary. So, one should focus on improving their choice of word, connotation, synonyms, etc.
  • Writing on good topics with proper time management and then analyzing the same will boost the preparation level for the IELTS writing section
  • Candidates are advised to converse in English, whenever possible. Conversation with friends, families, experts will help you alot and you can aim for a high IELTS score. 

While applying for US universities, you might see an additional requirement, naming ‘Sub-score Requirements’, don’t get confused. Some top universities in USA may require minimum IELTS scores in each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). For instance, a university might ask for no section to fall below a score of 6.0.

For students who do not meet the minimum IELTS score for getting admission in USA, community colleges offer a pathway with lower admission standards and opportunities to transfer to four-year universities later.

Some USA universities also provide conditional admission to students with lower IELTS scores, allowing them to take English language courses alongside their main studies.

Minimum IELTS Score for USA FAQs

Q. How much band required for America after 12th?

A. The minimum IELTS band score required to study in USA will vary from university to university and course to course. The average minimum IELTS band score to study in the USA is 6.0–6.5.

Q. Is 5.5 IELTS accepted in USA?

A. Yes, 5.5 IELTS score is accepted in USA, but for very limited universities and in that also in very limited courses. Ideally you have to aim for an IELTS score of 6.5 and above for getting admission in decent US universities.

Q. What is a good IELTS score for the USA?

A. US universities require a minimum overall IELTS band score between 6.0 and 6.5. However, if you are targeting top universities in USA, a band score of 7.0 or higher will be a good IELTS score for USA. 

Q. Is 6.5 IELTS enough for USA?

A. The band score of 6.5 will be enough for you, if you are targeting decent US universities, but if you are aiming for universities with good global rankings, which are offering popular courses, you have to aim for an IELTS band score of 7.0 and above.  

Q:   Which countries require IELTS score for admission?

A:

In order to be eligible to study abroad, IELTS ecam scores will be required in majority of the English speaking countries. In total there are 140 countries which accept IELTS scores for admissions from international students. Some of these top countries are as follows:

Q:   What GPA is required for the University of South Dakota?

A:

The University of South Dakota expects a GPA score of 2.5 from undergraduates and 3 from postgraduates on the 4-pointer scale. Along with the GPA scores, undergraduates must meet the basic eligibility and submit an ACT score of 21 or higher and an SAT score of 1070 or higher. In addition, they must submit the required documents, such as academic history, transcripts, letters of recommendation, English language scores, and more.

Q:   What GPA is needed to go to Ohio State?

A:

There is no minimum GPA score for UG admission at Ohio State. However, International students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale or equivalent) for graduate admission. Applicants may submit a standardized test score (GRE or GMAT) if their cumulative GPA is below 3.0 for the last degree.

Q:   Is it hard to get into the UTSA in San Antonio Texas?

A:

According to various sources, University of Texas San Antonio has an overall acceptance rate of around 87% which makes it somewhat selective for international student admissions. Some of the general requirements to be considered for admission are given as follows:

Q:   How many IELTS test centres are there in India?

A:

Spread across 75+ Indian cities, there are approximately 78 IELTS test centres. Indian applicants planning to take IELTS exam, can choose from any 78 test centres and appear for the exam. Applicants should ideally choose the nearest IELTS exam centre for taking the exam. 

Q:   Is University of North Dakota good for Indian students?

A:

The University of North Dakota is one of the top choices for international students to pursue their higher education. The UND warmly welcomes its international students as they have contributed a lot to the success of the university. Moreover, the university offers a top-notch environment, the best academic opportunities, technical & career training, etc. The university boasts over 1000 international students who represent more than 95 countries. Additionally, international students highly enjoy the facilities provided by the University of North Dakota. The UND is one of the largest research universities in the United States for international students.

Q:   How much is the application fee for Alabama University?

A:

The Alabama University application fee for International students vary by application type. Mentioned below are the application fee for UG and PG applications at Alabama:

  • UG: USD 40 or INR 3,342.14
  • MBA: USD 80 or INR 6,684.28

Q:   Can I get into Oregon State with a 3.5 GPA?

A:

International students must have at least a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 on a scale of 4.0 for UG and PG admission at Oregon State. Therefore, candidates are eligible to get admission to the university with a 3.5 GPA in their academics. Oregon State University GPA requirements are different for undergraduate and graduate admission. Mentioned below is the range of GPA required for Oregon State University admissions:

ProgramMinimum GPA Required (on a scale of 4.0)
Undergraduate2.5 - 3.0
Graduate2.5 - 3.0

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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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MS in USA

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