The United States is one of the first countries that comes to mind when people consider studying abroad, and for good reason. Studying in the USA brings many advantages, such as receiving top-quality education, improving English language skills, finding better career opportunities after graduation, embracing cultural diversity, and more.
It is home to many highly ranked universities and colleges, including Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and many more. This makes the country attractive for international students who want to learn from experienced professors, talented classmates, and strong professional networks. However, successful communication in a U.S. university setting requires a strong command of English. For this reason, many international students must prove their English proficiency before being admitted to a university in the USA.
One of the most common ways to prove English language proficiency when applying to universities in the USA is to take the TOEFL exam. Read more to learn about U.S. universities that accept TOEFL scores for international students.
TOEFL Scores Accepted at U.S. Universities
TOEFL iBT is widely accepted by U.S. universities, but minimum score requirements differ by university, degree level, and academic program. Also, TOEFL iBT scoring changed in January 2026. Scores from tests taken before January 21, 2026, usually use the 0–120 scale, while tests taken on or after January 21, 2026, use the updated 1–6 scale. During the transition period, ETS also provides a comparable score on the former 0–120 scale.
Below are seven universities in the USA that accept TOEFL iBT scores. Always confirm the requirement on the official university page for your specific program before applying.
| INSTITUTION NAME | MIN. SCORE / POLICY (UNDERGRADUATE) | MIN. SCORE / POLICY (GRADUATE) |
|---|
| Princeton University | Required if not exempt; no minimum score published | No university-wide minimum; program or teaching-related requirements may apply |
| University of Chicago | No fixed TOEFL minimum published on the accessible admissions page; check with admissions | Varies by division/program; many pre-2026 requirements range from 90 to 104 or use section minimums |
| Cornell University | 100 for TOEFL exams taken before January 2026; 5.0 minimum and 5.5 recommended for exams taken January 2026 or later | Section minimums, not a 75 total score; many applicants need minimum section scores |
| Columbia University | 105 for TOEFL iBT exams taken on or before January 20, 2026 | 100 for TOEFL iBT exams taken before January 21, 2026; 5.5 for exams taken after January 21, 2026, for GSAS |
| University of Notre Dame | Required unless waived; no fixed TOEFL minimum published on the undergraduate page | 80 overall with 23 speaking for pre-2026 TOEFL iBT; 4.5 average with no section below 4.0 on the updated scale |
| Duke University | Recommended, not required; expected TOEFL iBT score is 100 if submitted | Generally seeks 90 on the internet-based TOEFL |
| University of Southern California | 100 with no section below 20 for exams taken before January 21, 2026; 5.0 with no section below 4.0 for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026 | Placement/ISE exemption guidelines: master’s 90 and PhD 100 before January 21, 2026; master’s 4.5 and PhD 5.0 on the updated scale |
1. Princeton University
Princeton University remains one of the world’s most prestigious higher education institutions. The university is known for strong academic programs, research opportunities, and distinguished faculty and alumni. It is especially well known for areas such as engineering, public policy, the humanities, social sciences, and architecture-related study.
Princeton is highly selective when accepting prospective students. For undergraduate applicants, Princeton requires an English proficiency test only when the applicant is not exempt, and it does not publish a minimum TOEFL score for admission. For graduate applicants, the Graduate School and individual departments may set program-specific English proficiency expectations, especially for students who will teach. For more details, check Princeton’s program catalog for undergraduate and graduate programs.
2. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is one of the world’s most respected research universities. Its motto is, “Let knowledge grow from more to more; and so be human life enriched.” The institution provides strong academic opportunities for international students in areas such as computer science, mathematics, psychology, biology, economics, public policy, and more.
UChicago is highly competitive and has high expectations for its students. Undergraduate applicants should check the current College Admissions page for English proficiency guidance. Graduate applicants should check the page for their division or program because TOEFL score requirements are not the same across the university. For example, graduate requirements for TOEFL exams taken before January 21, 2026, may range from 90 to 104 or may use section-based minimums, depending on the division or school.
3. Cornell University
Located in Ithaca, New York, Cornell University is one of the best-known universities in the USA. Cornell is highly selective and offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Its programs include business, engineering, architecture, agriculture and life sciences, arts and sciences, public policy, and many other fields.
English proficiency is an important part of Cornell’s international admissions process. For undergraduate admission, Cornell lists a TOEFL iBT minimum score of 100 for exams taken before January 2026. For TOEFL exams taken January 2026 or later, Cornell lists a minimum score of 5.0 and a recommended score of 5.5. For graduate applicants, Cornell uses section-based requirements rather than a single total TOEFL score. Requirements may also differ depending on whether a student is applying to a research degree or a professional master’s degree.
TOEFL iBT score requirements may differ for certain programs, so it is essential to check the program-specific requirements in Cornell’s program catalog before applying.
4. Columbia University
Located in New York City, Columbia University is recognized worldwide for its academic strength, research activity, and location in Manhattan. It has respected schools and programs in areas such as engineering, computer science, journalism, history, public health, business, and the arts.
Columbia’s undergraduate admissions office lists a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 105 for exams taken on or before January 20, 2026. Columbia’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences lists a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 100 for exams taken before January 21, 2026, and 5.5 for exams taken after January 21, 2026. Students should confirm whether their specific Columbia school or department has additional requirements.
5. University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame is one of the oldest established private universities in the U.S., operating since 1842 with several colleges, schools, and institutes. Popular fields at Notre Dame include economics, finance, accounting, political science, engineering, and the sciences. For the 2026–2027 academic year, full-time undergraduate tuition is listed at $69,280, with mandatory fees bringing direct tuition and fees to $69,794.
International undergraduate applicants must prove their English proficiency if their native language is not English, unless they qualify for a waiver. The undergraduate admissions page does not publish a fixed TOEFL minimum. For graduate applicants, Notre Dame lists a TOEFL iBT minimum of 80 overall with a minimum speaking score of 23 for the pre-2026 scoring system. Under the updated TOEFL scoring system, the Graduate School lists a 4.5 average with no section lower than 4.0. Some programs may require higher scores.
6. Duke University
Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke University is a private research university that welcomes students from around the world. It is known for strong programs in areas such as computer science, biology, public policy, political science, engineering, and the health sciences.
Duke does not require English proficiency scores from all undergraduate international applicants, but it recommends them for non-native English speakers or applicants who are not studying in an English-medium curriculum. If submitted, Duke lists an expected TOEFL iBT score of 100. For graduate applicants, Duke’s Graduate School generally seeks a TOEFL iBT score no lower than 90, although individual departments may prefer higher scores. For the 2025–2026 academic year, Duke lists undergraduate tuition at $70,265 before financial aid, with total estimated cost of attendance varying by student type and expenses.
7. University of Southern California
- Bachelor’s TOEFL Requirement | Master’s and Ph.D. TOEFL Requirement | Tuition Fees | Scholarships
- TOEFL iBT Score: undergraduate applicants need 100 with no section below 20 for exams taken before January 21, 2026, or 5.0 with no section below 4.0 for exams taken on or after January 21, 2026; graduate placement/ISE exemption guidelines are 90 for master’s and 100 for PhD programs before January 21, 2026, or 4.5 for master’s and 5.0 for PhD programs on the updated scale.
The University of Southern California is a well-known private research university in Los Angeles that has been operating since 1880. USC is known for programs in business, engineering, communication and journalism, cinematic arts, social sciences, and the arts.
USC requires international undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English to submit an approved English proficiency examination. For TOEFL exams taken before January 21, 2026, USC recommends a minimum score of 100 with no section below 20. For TOEFL exams taken on or after January 21, 2026, USC recommends a minimum score of 5.0 with no section below 4.0. USC also states that international undergraduate applicants are not eligible for need-based financial aid, although they may be considered for merit scholarships if they apply by the appropriate deadline. For 2026–2027, USC lists undergraduate tuition at $75,384 for two semesters.
TOEFL Scores of Students Studying in USA
FAQs: TOEFL in the U.S.
Do I need a TOEFL score to study in the USA?
Many international students need to prove English proficiency in some way, often through tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or PTE Academic. However, requirements vary by university and program. Some universities waive English proficiency testing if you have studied for a required period in an English-medium school or earned a degree in an approved English-speaking setting. Some recipients featured on GlobalScholarships, such as Khalid Omer Khan Sherwani at Vanderbilt University and Alessandra Rodríguez at Harvard GSD, took TOEFL to prove English proficiency as part of their U.S. scholarship journey.
Taking an English language proficiency exam is one of the important requirements for many international students applying to U.S. universities. A strong TOEFL iBT score can help support your application, but score expectations vary by university, degree level, and program. Before applying, always check the official admissions page for the university and program you are interested in.
We hope this article about U.S. universities accepting TOEFL iBT scores has been informative. Feel free to visit our Study in the USA Page and Available Programs for International Students for more information about universities and program opportunities in the United States!
