Several colleges in the United States welcome overseas students without IELTS, however they must take alternative exams depending on the programme. A satisfactory English score is required for admission to the majority of US universities. Because school systems in India and the United States differ, many Indian students must take the IELTS in order to gain admission.
Aside from that, several universities in the United States that do not require IELTS accept English proficiency exams such as the TOEFL or the PTE before admitting students. Because a student will be learning in English, some show of English competency is almost always required.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a language competence test. It tries to assess candidates based on four criteria: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. In the United States, IELTS is accepted by several universities.
Did You Know: - When it comes to the minimal USA IELTS band requirement, it is usually 6.0-6.5. Some colleges may accept IELTS scores of 5.5, although they are few and far between.
No matter why you're in the United States right now, if you intend to move to another English-speaking nation for academic, professional, or migratory reasons, you'll need to take the IELTS test to demonstrate your English ability.
The International English Testing System is one of the world's most extensively used language assessment tests. It demonstrates English proficiency. It assesses your language skills in Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking - all of which are required to master the English language! In addition to migration, the IELTS is required for admission to thousands of universities, businesses, and government agencies all around the world, including the United States.
The test is available in two varieties: Academic and General Training. If you are relocating overseas for higher education, you should generally register for the Academic version, but if you are moving for professional or immigration reasons, you should register for the General Training version.
English language classes are in high demand in the United States, which is the world's top study abroad destination and has the highest number of students from all over the world. As a result, institutions in the United States have made the English Language Test mandatory for all non-native students. While taking the English Language Test, you have a number of test options, the IELTS test is one of them.
Most students, however, are sceptical that poor IELTS scores will prevent them from enrolling in a desired programme abroad. If you scored between 6.0 and 6.5 on the SAT, you can be confident that most schools and institutions would approve your application. However, if you have an IELTS score of 5.5, you may be in jeopardy.
The following is a list of what students must score in order to gain admission to institutes in the United States:
|
Degree Level |
IELTS Requirement |
|
Undergraduate |
No sub-score below 6.0 |
|
Postgraduate |
No sub-score below 6.0 |
|
Diploma |
No sub-score below 6.0 |
|
PhD |
Above 6.5 |
Many colleges use IELTS results to determine student eligibility for various programmes and expect them to meet the cut-off score. We have compiled a list of IELTS 7.0 band universities in the United States for master's and bachelor's programmes:
|
Name of institution |
World rank |
IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes) |
IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes) |
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
1 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
Stanford University |
2 |
Contact institution |
Contact institution |
|
Harvard University |
3 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
4 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
University of Chicago |
9 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
Princeton University |
13 |
Contact institution |
7.0 |
|
Cornell University |
14 |
7.0 |
7.5 |
|
Yale University |
15 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
Columbia University |
16 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
|
University of Pennsylvania |
19 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
There are numerous institutions in the United States that accept IELTS scores; however, before applying, visit the official university website to determine the minimal IELTS cutoff for the school. We have compiled a list of the best universities in the United States for overseas undergraduate students:
|
Name of institution |
World rank |
IELTS minimum requirement (undergraduate programmes) |
|
John Hopkins University |
21 |
7.0 |
|
Duke University |
26 |
7.0 |
|
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
27 |
7.0 |
|
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
32 |
7.0 |
|
Northwestern University |
34 |
7.5 |
|
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
41 |
7.0 |
|
New York University (NYU) |
43 |
7.5 |
|
Carnegie Mellon University |
46 |
7.5 |
|
University of Wisconsin-Madison |
53 |
6.5 |
|
Brown University |
56 |
8.0 |
We have compiled a list of the best universities in the United States for postgraduate international students:
|
Name of institution |
World rank |
IELTS minimum requirement (postgraduate programmes) |
|
John Hopkins University |
21 |
7.0 |
|
Duke University |
26 |
7.0 |
|
University of California, Berkeley (UCB) |
27 |
7.0 |
|
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
32 |
7.0 |
|
Northwestern University |
34 |
7.5 |
|
University of California, San Diego (UCSD) |
41 |
7.0 |
|
New York University (NYU) |
43 |
7.5 |
|
Carnegie Mellon University |
46 |
7.5 |
|
University of Wisconsin-Madison |
53 |
7.0 |
|
Brown University |
56 |
7.0 |
For people who have finished an international baccalaureate or previous studies in an English-speaking country, IELTS is not required for a student visa to the United States. However, if you are taking the IELTS exam, you must pass it in order to be eligible for a US visa. To meet US visa requirements, you must score 6.5 overall and a 7 on the speaking component of the IELTS exam.
Candidates must choose a visa based on their age and the type of study they wish to pursue. The average IELTS score for a student visa to the United States is 6.5 bands. The US government provides three categories of student visas:
|
Types of student visa |
Description |
|
F-1 Student Visa |
to study at an accredited US university. to study English at an English language institute. |
|
J Exchange Visa |
for indulging in an exchange program |
|
M Student Visa |
for non-academic or vocational training |
In the United States, over 3,400 institutions recognise IELTS 6.5 band scores, and that number is steadily increasing. As a result, students have a diverse choice of college and university options from which to choose. Candidates may also contemplate studying in the United States without taking the IELTS exam.
More than 40 official IELTS USA test sites and venues are located on community college, university, and language school campuses in major metropolitan cities across the country. The cost of taking IELTS in the United States ranges from $245 to 255 USD.
If you are interested in the United States, we are here to help!
We represent top universities and educational institutions worldwide and provide end-to-end counselling and application management services to students seeking international education in amazing destinations such as Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
We'll even stay in touch with you once you've settled into your preferred location to ensure that everything runs smoothly. If you need further assistance with your course, simply walk into an AECC office in your destination country.
IELTS is accepted as proof of English language skills by over 3,400 US schools and programmes, including Ivy League universities. IELTS testing is available in over 48 sites across the United States through independent testing providers overseen by the IELTS USA office in Los Angeles.
Before you can apply for a US Student Visa, you must first obtain a letter of acceptance from an eligible US institution, which will require you to demonstrate your English proficiency via IELTS or IELTS. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 is required for a student visa to the United States.
Yes. A 7.5 IELTS score is exceptionally good for admission to the university of your choice.
