US Universities Accepting TOEFL Scores

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Mrunmayai Bobade
Updated on Mar 29, 2023 05:57 PM IST

Looking for US universities accepting TOEFL scores? Read the given article thoroughly to discover a list of TOEFL requirements for US universities along with their minimum undergraduate and graduate score requirements.

TOEFL Accepted Universities in USA

TOEFL Accepted Universities in USA: Every year, many potential applicants apply to elite universities in the US for further education but many students fall short of getting a good English proficiency score. This is simply because they lack the necessary English skills or are under-prepared for the English proficiency exams.

While planning to study in the USA, aspirants must not only be well-prepared for English proficiency tests like TOEFL but also research the score requirements of universities. Some universities may require high TOEFL scores for specific courses while others may require only average scores.

ETS, the conducting body of the TOEFL exam, has introduced the TOEFL at Home version of the exam in light of the Covid-19 pandemic. Candidates can choose to take the TOEFL test from the comfort of their homes as long as they meet the prerequisites for their computer system and can maintain a suitable environment for the entire test. ETS has relaunched the TOEFL paper-delivered test in addition to the already available TOEFL iBT - TOEFL Internet Based Test and the TOEFL at Home test to make the test available to a larger student community.

Universities and colleges in the United States have different TOEFL score benchmarks, which vary depending on the programme, course, and specialisation. Students who score significantly higher than the university's cut-off score may have a better chance of being admitted. However, if the applicant is deserving and has a strong profile, certain universities will be lenient with their TOEFL cutoff levels. This article will help you discover a list of TOEFL accepted universities in USA along with their required score requirements.

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Importance of TOEFL Scores for US Universities

TOEFL exam scores are crucial in determining your admission to the leading universities in the United States and other countries. A high TOEFL score will get you into some of the best universities in the United States. Following is a summary of the significance of TOEFL requirements for US universities:

  • Preparing for the TOEFL exam improves and polishes overall English skills in the areas of listening, speaking, reading, listening, and writing.

  • The TOEFL provides evidence of your ability to use and comprehend English if you are from a non-English-speaking nation and hope to study in the United States.

  • Other major countries besides the United States, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, France, etc., accept TOEFL results for admission into a variety of programmes.

Learn more about the TOEFL exam by clicking on the following links:

TOEFL Test Dates

TOEFL Test Centres

TOEFL Exam Fee

TOEFL Registration

TOEFL Slot Booking

TOEFL Exam Pattern

What Are the Minimum TOEFL Requirements for US Universities?

The minimum TOEFL scores accepted for international students in the USA are 61 in the TOEFL Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) and 475 in the TOEFL Paper-Based Test (TOEFL PBT). Some institutions, however, grant conditional admission to international students who have earned a bachelor's degree from an English-speaking university after a minimum of two years of study.

Some TOEFL accepted universities in USA will also eliminate the score requirement criteria for the TOEFL exam as well as the IELTS exam for applicants who have studied in the United States for at least four years.

The Times Higher Education (THE), World University Rankings and the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) University Rankings consistently rate US universities significantly. Out of thousands of evaluated institutions, US universities rank second to 1200th in the world.

Want to get the best score on the TOEFL exam? Check out these helpful links:

TOEFL Syllabus

TOEFL Preparation Tips

TOEFL Best Books

TOEFL Practice Papers

TOEFL Question Papers

TOEFL Cutoff

List of US Universities Accepting TOEFL

Many universities in the US accept TOEFL for admission. However, before applying, candidates must check the required TOEFL cutoff scores on the official website of their desired university. Here is an exhaustive list of USA universities for undergraduate and graduate TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT score requirements:

University Name

Undergraduate TOEFL Score Requirement

Graduate TOEFL Score Requirement

Yale University

iBT: 100 iBT

PBT: 600

(recommended)

Varies

University of Washington

iBT: 76 iBT

(92+ recommended)

Varies

University of Rochester

iBT: 100 iBT

(107+ recommended)

PBT: 600

Varies

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

iBT: 100+

PBT: 600+ (recommended)

Varies

University of Michigan

iBT: 100

PBT: 600

Varies

University of Chicago

iBT: 100

PBT: 600

Varies (usually iBT 90 to 104)

University of California, San Diego (UCSD)

iBT: 83

iBT: 80

PBT: 550

University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

iBT: 100+ (recommended)

iBT: 87

PBT: 560

Suffolk University

iBT: 79

iBT: 80

PBT: 550

Stanford University

Not required

Usually iBT: 89 to 100

PBT: 575 to 600

Rice University

IBT: 100

PBT: 600

iBT: 90

PBT: 600

Purdue University

iBT: 80 or 88

iBT: 80

PBT: 550

Pennsylvania State University (Penn State)

iBT: 80

PBT: 550

iBT: 80

PBT: 550

Northeastern University

iBT: 92

Varies

New York University (NYU)

iBT: 100+ (recommended)

Varies

Michigan State University

Regular Admission

IBT: 79

PBT: 550

Conditional Admission

iBT: 60

PBT: 500

Regular Admission

iBT: 80

PBT: 550

Provisional Admission

iBT: 70

PBT: 520

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

iBT: 100

PBT: 600

Usually iBT: 90

or PBT 577

Illinois Institute of Technology

iBT: 90

PBT: 550

Usually iBT: 70 to 90+

or PBT: 550 to 600+

Harvard University

Not required

Varies

Georgetown University

-

Usually iBT: 80 to 100

or PBT: 550-600

Duke University

-

iBT: 90 to 100

Cornell University

iBT: 100

PBT: 600

iBT

Listening: 15

Reading: 20

Writing: 20

Speaking: 22

Columbia University

iBT: 100

PBT: 600

Usually iBT: 100

PBT: 600

Brown University

iBT: 100

PBT: 600

iBT: 90

PBT: 577

Boston University

iBT: 90 to 100 (recommended)

iBT

Reading: 21

Listening: 18

Speaking: 23

Writing: 22

Bentley University

iBT: 90 (100 recommended)

PBT: 577

iBT: 100

Andrews University

iBT: 80

PBT: 550

iBT: 80

Course-Wise TOEFL Cutoff for Top US Universities

This section will go over the TOEFL cutoff for top US universities. Candidates should be aware that a TOEFL cutoff score of 100 or higher is required for Tier 1 universities. Similarly, many courses at Tier 1 and Tier 2 universities may require a TOEFL cutoff score of 80 or above. However, candidates should only use the tables given below as a guideline and should aspire to score higher. Here is a list of course-wise TOEFL cutoffs for top universities in USA.

TOEFL Score Requirement for University of Texas Austin

The following are the TOEFL cutoff score requirements for the University of Texas Austin:

Programme Type

Required TOEFL Score (iBT)

MS

79.0 to 113.0

MBA/PGDM

79.0 & Above

MIM

79.0 to 105.0

MA

79.0 & Above

MFA

79.0 & Above

MArch

79.0 & Above

BBA

79.0 & Above

BE/BTech

79.0 & Above

TOEFL Score Requirement for Idaho State University

The following are the TOEFL cutoff score requirements for Idaho State University:

Programme Type

Required TOEFL Score (iBT)

BE/BTech

61.0 & Above

MS

80.0 to 90.0

BSc

61.0 & Above

TOEFL Score Requirement for Arizona State University

The following are the TOEFL cutoff score requirements for Arizona State University:

Programme Type

Required TOEFL Score (iBT)

MBA/PGDM

80.0 & Above

MArch

80.0 & Above

MA

80.0 to 100.0

BHM

61.0 & Above

MS

80.0 to 100.0

MIM

80.0 to 100.0

BBA

57.0 to 79.0

BSc

57.0 to 79.0

BE/BTech

61.0 to 79.0

TOEFL Score Requirement for Minnesota State University

The following are the TOEFL cutoff score requirements for Minnesota State University:

Programme Type

Required TOEFL Score (iBT)

MS

61.0 & Above

MIM

61.0 & Above

MBA/PGDM

61.0 & Above

BBA

61.0 & Above

BSc

61.0 & Above

BE/BTech

61.0 & Above

TOEFL Score Requirement for University of Bridgeport

The following are the TOEFL cutoff score requirements for the University of Bridgeport:

Programme Type

Required TOEFL Score (iBT)

MBA/PGDM

80.0 & Above

MIM

80.0 & Above

BBA

75.0 & Above

BE/BTech

75.0 & Above

TOEFL Score Requirement for Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The following are the TOEFL cutoff score requirements for the Massachusetts Institute of Technology:

Programme Type

Required TOEFL Score (iBT)

MS

90.0 to 100.0

MIM

90.0 to 100.0

MBA/PGDM

Accepted

ME/MTech

100.0 & Above

MArch

100.0 & Above

BSc

90.0 & Above

BBA

90.0 & Above

BE/BTech

90.0 & Above

TOEFL Score Requirement for University of Chicago

The following are the TOEFL cutoff score requirements for the University of Chicago:

Programme Type

Required TOEFL Score (iBT)

MS

90.0 to 104.0

BSc

Accepted

MA

104.0 & Above

BE/BTech

Accepted

Which US Universities Accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition Scores?

Although the TOEFL iBT test you take at a testing facility is identical to the TOEFL iBT test you take at home, results are accepted and can be applied in the same manner. Almost all universities in USA that accept the TOEFL iBT test accept scores from both the Home Edition and the Test Center test equally.

Even though most institutions accept the TOEFL iBT test, not all of them specifically offer the TOEFL iBT Home Edition test on their websites because they generally list the TOEFL iBT test. If you have any questions regarding their policies, be sure to get in touch with them promptly.

Now that you have acquired knowledge, it is time to pull up your socks and work hard to earn a decent TOEFL score that will get you into your dream US university. It should also be noted that these listed TOEFL requirements for US universities fluctuate year after year, and the list above is an estimate based on the previous incoming student class profiles. Therefore, it is advisable to confirm the required scores for every TOEFL accepted universities in USA before applying.

Got any queries related to the TOEFL? Ask our experts at abroad@collegedekho.com. and get a personalised study plan to score high on the TOEFL.

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FAQs

Is TOEFL required by all universities in USA?

No, TOEFL is not required by all universities in USA. Most students assume that in order to pursue higher education in the United States or Canada, international students must have either TOEFL scores or IELTS scores. Although it is generally true, it is not totally accurate. Without TOEFL or IELTS scores, you can enrol in Canadian universities as well as USA universities.

Is TOEFL required for Harvard University?

Yes, TOEFL is required for admission to Harvard University. To succeed in your studies at Harvard, you must have a solid command of the English language, including the ability to comprehend and communicate your ideas clearly and effectively. For international students whose first language is not English, an English proficiency test such as the TOEFL or IELTS is a mandatory admission criterion.

Is TOEFL required to pursue an MS in USA?

Yes, TOEFL is required to pursue an MS in USA. The Graduate Research Examination (GRE) is accepted by the majority of universities in the United States for MS programmes. To be eligible for MS, one must additionally pass English proficiency exams such as IELTS/TOEFL. As a result, a valid GRE score and IELTS/TOEFL score are required.

Which exam should I take to study in US, TOEFL or IELTS?

The TOEFL and IELTS are both commonly accepted at undergraduate and graduate universities worldwide, including in the US. However, the TOEFL is more commonly accepted by US universities, while the IELTS is more commonly accepted outside of the US. On the other hand, scores from either exam are accepted by almost every university. For more information, check out the article IELTS or TOEFL? Which Exam Should You Take to Study Abroad?

What is a good TOEFL score for USA universities?

A good TOEFL score for USA universities is anything above 90. TOEFL scores in this range of 90-100 are widely accepted. However, for some universities, the average TOEFL score may range from 85 to 95. For renowned USA universities, a  TOEFL score of 100 or above is considered good. 

Is TOEFL required for an F1 visa USA?

No, TOEFL is not required for an F1 visa USA. The immigration department does not require the TOEFL score separately. However, they may check your English proficiency score to assess your English skills. Only the universities require TOEFL scores for international students to demonstrate their proficiency in speaking, writing, and comprehending the language.

Is it better to take TOEFL or IELTS?

Although many colleges accept results from either exam, USA universities prefer the TOEFL exam while institutions outside the US mostly prefer the IELTS exam. However, each university has its own preference, hence, it is recommended that you should check the English Proficiency requirements for your desired university. If you are still confused between TOEFL vs IELTS, read Why TOEFL May be a Better Option Than IELTS.

Which UK universities accept the TOEFL?

There are many UK universities that accept the TOEFL. These include the University of Cambridge, University College London (UCL), University of Manchester, University of Glasgow, University of Sheffield, University of Oxford, University of Edinburgh, University of Warwick, Queen Mary University of London, etc. For more information, check out TOEFL Accepted Universities in UK.

Is the TOEFL Listening section tough?

Most of the applicants find the TOEFL Listening section tough. Despite being frequently scholarly and centred around science matters, TOEFL listening is rather simple. However, the listening section seems challenging mostly due to the sheer volume of material you hear and the demands placed on your memory. For this, you must make notes and retain a lot of information.

Is the TOEFL Reading section tough to crack?

Yes, it can be said that the TOEFL Reading section is tough to crack. A 2012 study found that the reading portion of the TOEFL is slightly more challenging than the typical written English text, partly because it contains more academic vocabulary.

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