Is IELTS accepted for studying in the USA? Alternatives and university requirements

Date of last update: 30.10.2025

If you’re planning to study in the United States as an international student, you’ll need to prove your English language proficiency. In practice, this is most often done through language tests — and that raises the question: do American universities accept the IELTS test?

The answer is yes — many of them do. Over 3,400 institutions in the U.S. recognize this exam as proof of English proficiency.

However — and this is very important — individual universities set their own language requirements, score thresholds, as well as conditions for test waivers and conditional admissions. That’s why the best approach is to check directly on the website of the university you’re applying to, which language tests are accepted.

Below, you’ll find a summary of typical language requirements and alternatives to the IELTS test that are commonly accepted by universities in the U.S.

Table of contents:

1. Typical IELTS Academic admission requirements at U.S. universities
2. Studying in the U.S. – Alternatives to IELTS
3. Conditional Admission and test waivers
4. Summary

You can read this article in 4 minutes.

Typical IELTS Academic admission requirements at U.S. universities

The following data is for illustrative purposes — actual requirements may vary depending on the department, program, and current university regulations.

Top universities (Ivy League and elite institutions)

For the most prestigious schools in the U.S., high scores are required:

• Harvard, MIT, Stanford – typically require an overall band score of 7.0–7.5 at all levels of study.
  
• Yale – requires IELTS score of 7.0 or higher.
  
• Columbia, Northwestern (NWU) – may require a score of 7.5 or higher.
  

Typical requirements at many universities

• At the undergraduate level, IELTS scores of 6.0 to 6.5 are often accepted.
  
• For graduate (postgraduate) programs, minimum requirements typically range from 6.5 to 7.5, depending on the program and university.
  

Universities with lower requirements

Many less prestigious or regional institutions allow lower score thresholds, for example:

• Texas A&M – 6.0.
  
• Arizona State University – 6.0 to 7.0 (depending on program and degree level).
  
• University of Florida – 6.5.
  
• University of Wisconsin–Madison – 6.5 or higher.
  

Remember: Before starting your application, always check the university’s website for the exact IELTS requirements.

Studying in the U.S. – Alternatives to IELTS

If for any reason you don’t want or can’t take the IELTS exam, here are other options:

TOEFL (Internet-based Test, iBT)

• Widely accepted in the U.S.
• Scoring: up to 120 points. Many universities require between 80 and 100+ points.
• Starting January 2026, TOEFL scores will be reported on a 1–6 scale (similar to IELTS, which uses a 1–9 scale).

Duolingo English Test (DET)

• Accepted by many U.S. universities as an alternative to IELTS and TOEFL.
• Results are typically available within 48 hours.
• Scoring: 10–160. Depending on the university, program, and degree level, required scores may range from 115 to 140+

PTE Academic

• Less commonly used than TOEFL or IELTS but accepted by some universities.

Cambridge English Certificates

• Some universities accept Cambridge English certificates (e.g., C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency), but this is not the standard. Always confirm this on the university’s admissions page.

Conditional Admission and test waivers

Conditional Admission

This is a solution for applicants who meet academic requirements but haven’t yet reached the required level in a language test. Instead of rejecting the application, the university grants conditional admission — provided the student completes a language course or reaches a specified proficiency level.

For example, Illinois Institute of Technology offers conditional admission without requiring IELTS/TOEFL.

Note that conditional admission doesn’t always mean an immediate start of full academic studies — students often first complete English language courses before beginning their degree program.

Language test waivers

Some universities offer exemptions (waivers) from language test requirements if the applicant meets certain conditions, such as:

• Completing high school in an English-speaking country or in a program taught in English,
  
• Attending a university for a certain number of semesters where instruction is in English,
  
• Achieving specific scores in the language sections of the SAT/ACT, which the university recognizes as proof of proficiency.
  

Practical Tips

• Check specific requirements for each university you’re applying to.
  
• IELTS results are valid for 2 years — this is the standard validity period for language tests.
  
• Make sure you know which version of IELTS is accepted — most universities require the IELTS Academic version. The IELTS General Training version is not intended for university admissions.
  

Confirm whether the university accepts IELTS Online and, if necessary, IELTS One Skill Retake — not all institutions accept these formats.

Summary

If you’re planning to study in the U.S., make sure to verify which language test scores are required by the universities you’re interested in before you start gathering your application documents. IELTS Academic and TOEFL are the most commonly accepted language tests for international students applying to U.S. universities. The Duolingo English Test is becoming an increasingly attractive alternative, especially due to its cost and accessibility.