IELTS · Guides · October 24, 2026 · 2 min read
IELTS score for the USA 2026: F-1 visa and what Harvard, Stanford, MIT and ASU ask for
The F-1 student visa has no federal IELTS minimum. Each school decides whether it needs proof of English and records that in SEVIS when it issues your Form I-20. In practice, top graduate schools ask for IELTS 7.0, and many state universities accept 6.0–6.5. Checked on the Study in the States (DHS) and university admissions sites on 24 October 2026.
How the visa side works
When a school creates your I-20, it states whether English proficiency is required and whether you have met it. If the school requires English and you have not shown it, the I-20 is not issued. The consular officer then sees what the school recorded; there is no separate visa test.
So the only number that matters is your school’s.
Examples (IELTS Academic)
| School | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences | 7.0, with Speaking at least 6.5; valid two years |
| Stanford, graduate | 7.0 to be considered; below 8.0 you take an English placement test on arrival |
| MIT, graduate | recommended minimum 7.0, some departments higher; One Skill Retake not accepted |
| Arizona State University | 6.0 undergraduate, 6.5 graduate; IELTS Online accepted |
Many US universities accept IELTS, TOEFL and Duolingo side by side. To compare scores across tests, use the IELTS score converter.
What to check on the admissions page
- Overall and section minimums. Some schools set a Speaking minimum (Harvard GSAS: 6.5).
- Online tests. Some accept IELTS Online (ASU), others accept only test-centre results.
- One Skill Retake. Not accepted at MIT; check elsewhere.
- Waivers. Degrees taught in English often exempt you.
Common questions
Does the US accept IELTS? Yes. Almost all US universities that require an English test accept IELTS Academic.
What IELTS score do I need for a US master’s? Commonly 6.5–7.0; at the most selective schools 7.0 with section minimums.
Is IELTS General Training accepted? No, universities ask for Academic.
For the UK and Canada, see IELTS score for the UK and IELTS score for Canada. To see where you stand, try the free IELTS mock test.
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