IELTS Score for USA – Minimum Score for Study, Visa & Top Colleges 2025

The United States is a well-known study-abroad destination among Indian and international students. Many US universities and colleges accept international students for different courses. But, for international students planning to study in the USA, one of the first things you will need is a good IELTS score. The IELTS test checks how well you can understand and use English in real-life situations like classes, exams, and daily life. Almost all top universities in the USA accept IELTS exam as proof of English language skills. But the minimum IELTS score needed depends on the course and university.

For example, if you are applying for a bachelor’s degree, many colleges ask for at least a 6.0 or 6.5 band. For master’s (MS) or MBA programs, the requirement is usually higher, between 6.5 to 7.5. Some universities also check if your score is good in each section: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. In this article, you will find everything you need to know about the IELTS score for the USA, visa requirements, and tips to score higher. Explore various Masters programs in USA for international students and Master of Professional Studies in Applied Machine Intelligence at Northeastern University. You can also research universities such as Harvard, MIT, Oxford University to get detailed admission and fee information.

What is the Minimum IELTS Score for USA?

If you are planning to study in the USA, you need a good IELTS score to show your English language skills. Most US universities accept IELTS and set a minimum band requirement for admission. But the score depends on what course you’re applying for: bachelor’s, master’s, or MBA.

In general, the minimum IELTS score for USA is:

• For bachelor’s courses: usually 6.0 or 6.5 overall
• For master’s or MS: mostly 6.5 to 7.0 band
• For MBA programs: higher scores like 7.0 to 7.5 may be needed

Also, some universities check individual section scores too. For example, even if your overall score is 6.5, you might get rejected if one section (like writing or speaking) is below 6.0. So, always check both overall and section-wise IELTS requirements on the university website.

IELTS Score Requirements for Top Universities in USA

If you want to study in the USA, one of the most important things is your IELTS score. Top universities in the USA ask for a minimum IELTS band score to check your English skills. This score helps them know if you can understand lectures, write essays, and speak well in class.

Both are trusted by students and universities. Let’s look at the minimum IELTS requirements based on QS World University Rankings in 2025.

Also Read: How to Download IELTS Score Card Online

Why IELTS Score is Important for USA Universities?

Your IELTS band score shows how well you can use English in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Most top American universities need a score of 6.5 to 8.0. Some schools also need a minimum score in each section, like no less than 6.0 in writing or speaking.

University Name	QS World Rank (2025)	IELTS UG Minimum Score	IELTS PG Minimum Score
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	1	7.0	7.0
Harvard University	4	7.0	7.0
Stanford University	5	7.0	7.0
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	10	6.5	7.0
University of Chicago	11	7.0	7.0
University of Pennsylvania	12	7.0	7.0
Cornell University	13	7.5	7.0
Yale University	16	7.0	7.0
Columbia University	23	7.5	7.5
Princeton University	17	8.0	8.0

List of USA Universities Accepting 5.5 IELTS Score for Admission

Getting into a top university in the USA is a dream for many students, but it is not always easy. Along with good marks in school or college, students also need to show strong English language skills. 

While many US universities need a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 or 7.0, not every student can reach that level. If you are someone who has an IELTS score of 5.5 or 6.0, don’t worry, there are still some good US universities that accept low IELTS scores.

Below is a list of USA universities accepting IELTS 5.5 band scores. These colleges are a great option if your score is a bit low, but you still want to study in the US.

University Name	Minimum IELTS Band Score
California State University – Northridge	5.5 & Above
State University of New York (SUNY)	5.5 & Above
University of Mississippi	5.5 & Above
Southern New Hampshire University	5.5 & Above
Murray State University	5.5 & Above

IELTS Score for Undergraduate Courses in USA

To study a bachelor’s course in the USA, you must show your English language skills. The most common way is by taking the IELTS test.

Here are the minimum IELTS scores for undergraduate programs at top universities in the USA:

University	THE Rank 2025	Minimum IELTS Score (UG)
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)	3	7.0
Harvard University	4	7.0
Princeton University	6	8.0
Yale University	10	7.0

IELTS Score for Master’s Courses in US

If you are planning to study for a master’s degree in the USA, you will also need a good IELTS score. Most US universities look for a minimum band score to make sure you can do well in your coursework.

Here are the minimum IELTS requirements for postgraduate programs at top-ranked MS universities in US according to THE Rankings 2025:

University	THE Rank 2025	Minimum IELTS Score (PG)
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)	3	7.0
Harvard University	4	7.0
Princeton University	6	8.0
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	7	7.0
Yale University	10	7.0

IELTS Requirement for Popular Courses in USA for Indian Students

If you are planning to study in the USA, your IELTS band score is an important part of the admission process. Different courses and universities ask for different IELTS requirements, depending on how competitive the program is. For Indian students, popular programs like engineering, MS (Master’s), and MBA usually require a minimum IELTS score between 6.0 to 7.5.

Below is a simple breakdown of the IELTS band scores needed for top universities in the USA, based on course type.

IELTS Score for Best Engineering Universities in USA

To get into top engineering colleges in the USA, most universities ask for a minimum IELTS band score of 6.5 or 7.0, but highly ranked ones may want even more. 

Engineering Universities in USA	Minimum IELTS Band Score
Carnegie Mellon University	7.5 & Above
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	7 & Above
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	7 & Above
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	6.5 & Above
Georgia Institute of Technology	6 & Above

IELTS Score for Best MS Universities in USA

For MS (Master of Science) programs in USA, the IELTS requirement depends on the subject and university. Courses like computer science, data analytics, biotechnology, and environmental science usually ask for 6.5 or above, but some may need up to 7.5.

Top MS Universities in USA	Minimum IELTS Band Score
Northeastern University	6.5 - 7.5
Mississippi State University	6.5 - 7.5
Arizona State University (ASU)	6.5 - 7
Eastern Michigan University	6.5 & Above
Texas A & M University	6 - 7

IELTS Score for Best MBA Universities in USA

For MBA in the USA, most top MBA colleges in the USA ask for 7.0 or higher, especially Ivy League schools.

Top MBA Universities in USA	Minimum IELTS Band Score
Columbia University	7 & Above
The University of Chicago	7 & Above
University of California - Berkeley	7 & Above
The University of Southern Mississippi	6 & Above
Harvard University	6.5 - 7.5

IELTS Band Requirement for USA Student Visa

If you want to study in the USA, you need a USA student visa. Most students apply for the F1 visa, which is for full-time study. To get this visa, you must show that you can understand and speak English well. 

The minimum IELTS band for a USA student visa (F1) is usually 6.0 overall. But if you are going to a top university, it is better to have a score of 6.5 or 7.0 or more. Some schools may ask for a minimum score in each section (reading, writing, listening, speaking).

IELTS Score for USA Work Visa and PR

In the USA, some job roles like nursing, teaching, or healthcare, IELTS is required by licensing bodies or employers.

The USA has no fixed IELTS requirement for a permanent residency or a green card. But if you are applying through employment, or for jobs where English is important, IELTS is required, depending on the employer. 

IELTS vs TOEFL for USA – Which is Better?

The USA accepts both IELTS and TOEFL for higher education for international students. Most top-ranked US universities accept both tests to check the English skills of aspirants. However, which test is better for you depends on multiple factors. Here’s a brief comparison between the IELTS and TOEFL tests, which will help you understand both the exams better. 

Feature	IELTS	TOEFL
Test Format	Paper-based or Computer-based	Mostly Computer-based
English Style	Uses British English	Uses American English
Speaking Test	Done face-to-face with a real person	Done on computer with recorded answers
Speaking Time	Shorter speaking section (around 11–14 minutes)	Slightly longer (about 17 minutes)

Which Test is More Accepted in the US?

TOEFL is accepted by almost all universities in the USA, as it is more common there. But now, IELTS is also accepted by over 3,400+ US institutions, including top ones like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT.

However, many students prefer IELTS over TOEFL due to its face-to-face speaking test in front of an IELTS examiner, simple and clear question types, and global popularity. 

Also Read: IELTS vs TOEFL: Choose the Right Exam for 2025 Success

Conclusion

The minimum IELTS score for USA in 2025 depends on your university and course. Most US universities ask for at least 6.0 overall for undergraduate and 6.5 for postgraduate courses. 

Top universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and Columbia want 7.0 or higher, and some programs need even more. 

Always check the exact IELTS requirement for your chosen university and course, as some also ask for minimum scores in each section (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking). 

If you need help with IELTS preparation, university selection, or the visa process, talk to upGrad experts. They will guide your study abroad journey to the USA.