IELTS Accepting Universities in the USA: For MS, MBA, Low IELTS Band Universities

The United States of America (USA), home to prestigious higher education institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, and MIT, among others, is well-known for its internationally recognised and research-intensive academic programs and is one of the world’s leading study destinations. From Science and Technology to Management and Fine Arts, there is a wide range of courses and programmes available at US universities and colleges. This blog provides you with the top universities in the United States that accept IELTS scores. Read to learn more.

Importance of IELTS

The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is one of the most popular language proficiency tests for international students seeking to study at top universities in the United States. Because the IELTS test has been taken by many students for a variety of programmes, different scores are typically accepted for various types of programmes.

The IELTS test scores are extremely important in your academic career. A high score will get you into some of the best universities in the United States that accept IELTS. It not only serves as a language test for admission, but a high score increases your chances of admission to your dream university. The key highlights of IELTS are

• A good IELTS score for the United States may shed light on your ability to use and comprehend English.
• The IELTS assesses an individual’s ability to keep up with the program’s medium of instruction in English.
• Preparing for the IELTS exam will improve and apply your abilities in the areas of hearing, speaking, reading, listening, and writing.
• A good IELTS score increases an individual’s confidence in the sense that one can pursue the courses without difficulty.

IELTS Accepting Universities in USA

We now understand the significance of IELTS score requirements for US universities. Let’s look at a list of universities in the United States that accept IELTS:

University Name	Undergraduate Courses	Masters Courses
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	7.0	7.5
California Institute of Technology	6.5	7.0
Harvard University	7.0	7.5
Princeton University	7.0	7.0
Yale University	7.0	7.5
The University of Chicago	6.5	7.5
University of Pennsylvania	7.0	7.5
University of California, Berkeley	6.5	7.0
Columbia University	7.5	7.5
Duke University	6.5	7.0
Johns Hopkins University	7.0	7.0
University of California, LA	7.0	7.0
University of Washington	7.5	7.0
Northwestern University	7.5	7.0
University of Texas at Austin	6.5	6.5

Universities Accepting IELTS in USA: Band Score-Wise

Here is a list of US universities that accept IELTS band scores, organized by their score requirements.

Universities Accepting Band 8

A band 8 in IELTS denotes a “very good user” in terms of skill level. It denotes that the candidate has complete command (expert) of the English language, albeit with some inaccuracies. Only a few colleges are on the list because band 8 denotes a very high rank. They are as follows:

• Brown University, Rhode Island
• Union Presbyterian Church, Virginia

Universities Accepting Band 7 – 8

Many top universities in the United States accept IELTS band scores ranging from 7 to 8. This rating denotes a “good user” who has a functional knowledge of the language despite occasional inaccuracies and misconceptions. These are the universities:

• MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), MA
• Stanford University, CA
• California Institute of Technology, CA
• Harvard University, MA
• Yale University, CT
• Johns Hopkins University, MD
• Northwestern University, IL
• The University of Chicago, IL
• Columbia University, NY
• Princeton University, NJ
• University of Washington, WA
• University of Pennsylvania, PA
• Duke University, NC
• New York University, NY
• University of California, Berkeley
• University of California, Los Angeles

Universities Accepting Band 6 – 7

A good band score of 6 – 7 on the IELTS exam is accepted by many US universities. This band score denotes a “competent user” who has a good knowledge of the language but has some inaccuracies, incorrect usage, and misconceptions. The following universities are notable in this category:

• Art Centre College of Design, CA
• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL
• The Pennsylvania State University, PA
• Clinton Community College, NY
• University of Minnesota, MN
• Indiana University Bloomington, IN
• Case Western Reserve University, OH
• University of Pittsburgh, PA
• Jackson State University, MS
• University of South California, CA
• The University of Texas at Austin, TX
• Saint Peter’s University, NJ
• Purdue University, IN
• Michigan State University, Michigan
• Houston Community College, TX

Universities Accepting Band 6 and Below

There are still universities in the United States that accept lower band scores of 6 and below. This score range denotes a “modest user” who has a limited mastery of the language and can manage with overall meaning in most real-world settings. Among the universities in this category are:

• Cascadia College, WA
• Texas A&M University, TX
• Rutgers University – State University of New Jersey
• University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Wingate University, NC
• University of Florida, FL
• Arizona State University, AZ
• Scott Community College, IA

IELTS Accepting Universities in USA for MS

We have compiled a list of only IELTS-accepting universities in the United States that do not require the GRE for MS programs:

University Name	IELTS Score
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	7.5
Stevens Institute of Technology	6.5
California State University	6.0
University of Bridgeport	6.5
Boston University	7.0
University of Cincinnati	6.5
University of North Texas	6.5
Oklahoma University	6.5
James Madison University	6.5
Washington State University	7.0

IELTS Accepting Universities in USA for MBA

The most popular program to study in US institutions is the Master of Business Administration. If you want to study at one of the best MBA business schools in the United States, you must excel in a variety of assessments. Here is a list of top universities in the United States that accept solely IELTS scores for MBA programs:

B-Schools Name	IELTS Score
Harvard Business School	7.5
Massachusetts Institute of Technology	7.5
Haas School of Business	7.0
Booth School of Business	7.0
UCLA Anderson School of Management	7.0
Yale School of Management	7.0
McCombs School of Business	6.5
Kellogg School of Management	7.0
Ross School of Business	7.0
SC Johnson College of Business	7.0

Why Choose IELTS for USA?

The IELTS test scores are extremely important in your academic career. A high score will get you into some of the best universities in the United States that exclusively recognize IELTS. It not only serves as a language test for entrance, but a high score increases your chances of admission to your preferred university. Read to know the reasons why you should choose IELTS for USA:

Pencil and paper 

Unlike other tests, IELTS does not have to be taken on a computer. Many candidates benefit from paper-based evaluations.

Quiet testing setting

Candidates who move through the test at different rates will not interfere with one another.

A speaking test in person

This allows candidates to demonstrate their communication skills more authentically.

Thorough planning

IELTS tests are a mix of everyday and academic English. This provides candidates with language skills and systems that can be applied in a variety of settings.

Study Visa for USA

If you want to study in the United States, you will usually need to apply for one of the following student visas from the American embassy or consulate in your home country.

F Student Visas

These are intended for students who want to study at an accredited college or university in the United States or to study English at an intensive English language institute. This is the most common visa type.

J Exchange Visas 

J-1 Student visas are typically issued to students participating in a short-term exchange programme, such as high school or university study.

M Student Visas 

M1 Student visas are issued to students who are enrolled in non-academic or vocational study or training programmes in the United States.

Before applying for a student visa to study in the United States, you must first obtain an I-20 or a DS-2019 form from the college or university where you have been accepted, as well as documented funding for your first year of study. You can then apply for your student visa with the I-20 or DS-2019.

Conclusion

The IELTS test scores are mostly required by universities to demonstrate your language skills, such as your ability to understand university lectures or handle university workplaces. To be admitted to some of the best universities in the United States, you must have a 6.5 band score or higher.

FAQs

Related Reads:

IELTS Score for USA: Admission Guide for 2024	IELTS Eligibility: IELTS Exam Age Limit & Qualification
Studying in the USA Without IELTS	IELTS vs Duolingo: Which is Better for Indian Students?
50+ Universities Accepting Low IELTS Scores	How Long Is IELTS Score Valid?

If you want to know more about the universities that accept only IELTS in the USA, connect with Leverage Edu and get some assistance in the admission process, scholarships and selecting colleges.