With dozens of world-renowned graduate programmes to choose from and a thriving jobs market, the USA is a superb destination to pursue a graduate degree in engineering. However, if you’re applying as an international student, you may need to take an English language proficiency test like IELTS.
You’ll likely have to take the IELTS test if:
- English isn’t your first language
- You haven’t earned a degree from a university where all instruction was conducted in English
- You don’t have two or more consecutive years of professional or educational experience in English in the past ten years.
What’s more, the top engineering colleges in the USA typically require a specific minimum IELTS score to meet their application requirements.
Before you take the test, let’s explore the top engineering universities in the USA and break down their minimum IELTS Academic scores and admissions information.
What’s the minimum IELTS score for engineering colleges in the USA?
At the graduate level, the minimum IELTS score for engineering colleges in the USA is generally 6.5, but more competitive universities will require a 7.0 or above.
Minimum IELTS score requirements also vary by school and programme. It’s best to check the admissions website and speak to an admissions advisor before you begin preparation for the IELTS test.
You might like to watch our video on What to Expect in U.S. University Classes
Keep in mind that many schools require you to have taken the test within 24 months of the start of classes. And remember, you’re allowed to take the IELTS test as many times as you need if you don’t get the ideal score the first time.
One Skill Retake is also a good option, if you take IELTS on computer, and only need to improve a specific skill.
How hard is the IELTS Academic?
In general, we recommend six to eight weeks of focused preparation for English learners at the intermediate or advanced level.
For beginners seeking a high score, however, you’ll probably want to dedicate at least three to four months to daily study and IELTS test prep. You might want to consider working with a tutor or taking a class, too.
Ready for your IELTS test? Book with the British Council now
Top 10 engineering colleges in the USA and their IELTS requirements
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Ranking
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School
|
Location
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Tuition and Fees
|
IELTS requirements
|
|
1
|
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
|
Cambridge, Massachusetts
|
$61,990 per year
$90 application fee
|
7.0
|
|
2
|
Stanford University
|
Stanford, California
|
$65,082 per year
$125 application fee
|
7.0 for admission consideration
8.0 to be exempt from the Stanford English Placement Test
|
|
3
|
University of California, Berkeley
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Berkeley, California
|
$27,864 per year
$155 application fee
|
6.5
|
|
4
|
Georgia Institute of Technology
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Atlanta, Georgia
|
$30,598 per year
$105 application fee
|
7.0
|
|
5
|
California Institute of Technology
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Pasadena, California
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$65,706
$100 application fee
|
7.0
|
|
6
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Purdue University
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West Lafayette, Indiana
|
$29,644 per year
$75 application fee
|
6.5
|
|
7
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Carnegie Mellon University
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Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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$57,436 per year
$75 application fee
|
7.5
|
|
8
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University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
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Urbana, Illinois
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$38,276 per year
$90 application fee
|
7.5
|
|
9
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University of Texas – Austin
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Austin, Texas
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$19,320 per year
$90 application fee
|
6.5
|
|
10
|
University of California – San Diego
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La Jolla, California
|
$13,932 per year
$155 application fee
|
7.0
|
1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
With an overall acceptance rate of 7.7%, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is the most competitive option on this list, and it’s not surprising that it requires a 7.0 overall score on the IELTS.
MIT offers a wide variety of specialised engineering programmes at the graduate level, ranging from environmental and civil engineering to computer science and nuclear engineering.
And if you’re applying as an international student, you’ll be in good company: 28% of MIT graduate students are international students. You’ll also be attending the same school that produced Buzz Aldrin – the second person to walk on the moon, and Richard Feynman, a Nobel Laureate physicist.
2. Stanford University
Stanford University is another world-class engineering school that appeals to many international students. The university has attracted engineering students from around the globe for decades. In fact, it’s where the famous computer science engineers Sergey Brin and Larry Page met and began their work on Google.
With a 9.5% acceptance rate, Stanford has a reputation for being one of the most competitive engineering schools in the world.
To be considered for admission, you’ll need to score at least a 7.0 on the IELTS. Note that you’ll also have to score an 8.0 to be exempt from taking Stanford’s own English placement test.
3. University of California, Berkeley
Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is an excellent option for international students seeking a career in the tech industry. It has also had a world-renowned reputation for its chemistry programme over the last century.
Since the 1930s, UC Berkeley faculty have contributed to discovering 16 chemical elements of the periodic table.
To be admitted to UC Berkeley, you’ll have to score at least a 6.5 on the IELTS and pay a $155 application fee. This makes it the most expensive application on this list. However, UC Berkeley tuition is about 50% cheaper than MIT and Stanford, making it worth your consideration.
4. Georgia Institute of Technology
Entering the engineering programme at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) means you’ll have 23 master’s programmes and 18 doctoral programmes to choose from. Among its notable alumni, you’ll find the late former US president and Nobel laureate Jimmy Carter and Kary Mullis, a Nobel laureate in chemistry.
Georgia Tech requires a 7.0 on the IELTS. But it also has a 22.2% acceptance rate and charges around 50% less than many other engineering programmes, making it a great option for international students.
5. California Institute of Technology
If you’re a fan of the show, 'The Big Bang Theory,' then you might be familiar with California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Indeed, Caltech’s engineering programme is known for its rigorous academics, strong emphasis on research, and small class sizes. That’s likely why it has one of the lowest acceptance rates at 4.7%.
Caltech is a great option for those studying chemistry or Earth science, as those programmes are top in the nation. To be admitted to Caltech, it’s ideal if you get at least a 7.0 score on the IELTS. And you may want to give the school extra consideration.
6. Purdue University
About halfway between Georgia Tech and Caltech is Purdue. The school is located in West Lafayette, Indiana in the midwest region of the United States. Purdue students and alumni say the programme is 'spectacular.'
Almost 50% of its engineering students is made of international students. So attending Purdue means you’ll have a chance to collaborate with people from all around the world.
Purdue requires international students who don’t meet specific conditions to score a 6.5 on the IELTS.
7. Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon is a well-regarded university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, another East Coast school located in a city that has a similar feel to New York or Chicago. The university is a great option for students interested in computer engineering or electrical engineering.
Carnegie Mellon also has a lower faculty-to-student ratio and a higher acceptance rate than the other options on this list. Nearly 80% of Carnegie Mellon’s student body at the master’s level is comprised of international students. However, bear in mind that Carnegie Mellon requires applicants to score a 7.5 on the IELTS.
8. University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Getting accepted to the Grainger College of Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign may seem slightly more intimidating, as it requires 7.5 overall score on the IELTS test, with a minimum score of 7.0 for each skill.
However, you may want to give the Grainger College of Engineering extra consideration if you’re interested in civil engineering or computer engineering, as these are among its top ranked programmes in the nation. The Grainger College of Engineering also has a 29.4% acceptance rate.
9. University of Texas – Austin
The Cockrell School of Engineering at the University of Texas, in Austin, has a rolling application deadline. This means you can apply at any time of the year.
The Cockrell School of Engineering is most well-known for its petroleum engineering programme, which consistently ranks first in the nation.
The Cockrell School also requires a 6.5 IELTS score, which is slightly lower than others on this list. This might make it a more accessible option for international students who feel less confident about their English.
10. University of California – San Diego
Another great option in California and located in sunny La Jolla, the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California has a 29.7% acceptance rate and a well-regarded bioengineering programme, among others.
The Jacobs School requires students to score a 7.0 on the IELTS. Its student body is made up of over 60% international students, so it may be a good idea to get in touch with current international students and alumni to learn about their application experience.
Choosing the right engineering college in the USA and IELTS prep
While the programmes listed above are in some of the top-ranked colleges in the US, we recommend you cast a wide net and start by researching other schools that accept IELTS.
Then try to get in contact with students, alumni, and admissions professionals who attend and work at the schools of your choice to learn more about each school’s approach to IELTS.
Remember: IELTS is meant to be a part of the graduate preparation process. If you think of the IELTS studying process as a way to become more comfortable with living, studying, and working in an English-speaking country, you’re more likely to score well and actually enjoy the test prep journey.
Ready for your IELTS test? Book with the British Council now
