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.
The United States is a go-to-go destination for almost every student who is planning to study abroad. Studying in USA is in popular demand for students seeking high-quality education with better job options. 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.
For US university admissions, the average IELTS band score for USA ranges between 6.0 to 6.5. However, top-tier universities and more competitive programs may require a higher score, potentially around 7.0 or 7.5. 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
- IELTS score Requirements for Top Universities in USA
- List of Universities with Minimum IELTS Score for USA
- IELTS Requirement for Popular Courses in USA for Indian Students
- How to Improve IELTS Band Score to study in USA?
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.
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| 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.
| 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 |
8.0 & Above |
|
| 23 |
Yale University |
7.0 & Above |
| 32 |
7.0 & Above |
|
| 34 |
Columbia University |
7.5 & Above |
| 42 |
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
7.0 & Above |
| 43 |
7.0 & Above |
|
| 44 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
|---|---|
| 7 & Above |
|
| 7 & Above |
|
| 6 & Above |
|
| 7.5 & Above |
|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 6.5 - 7 |
|
| 6 - 7 |
|
| 6.5 - 7.5 |
|
| 6.5 - 7.5 |
|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 6.5 - 7.5 |
|
| 6 & Above |
|
| 7 & Above |
|
| University of California - Berkeley |
7 & Above |
| 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.
The University of Rhode Island can be considered a good institution that offers the ideal environment for students to learn & grow.
The institute secures a rank of #152 as part of the latest rankings of National Universities given by a major ranking platform. The institute also secures a US-wide rank of #147 for its undergraduate courses specialising in Business Studies as given by the same source.
Another major ranking platform ranks it #801 as part of its Global Universities Rankings 2025.
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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.