Top 20 TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA 2025

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Roshan Sunthar

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12-03-2025

Top 20 TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA 2025
The United States is an English-speaking country that requires international students whose first language is not English to demonstrate their English proficiency with IELTS or TOEFL scores to study in USA. Since US universities prioritize TOEFL scores over other English proficiency tests for admissions, international students can take the TOEFL iBT test and apply for a UG or master’s degree in the best colleges in the USA. This blog offers a comprehensive list of the top 20 TOEFL accepting universities in USA to help you make an informed decision.
 
TOEFL is a standardised test conducted by ETS. TOEFL measures candidates' four core academic skills in English: listening, reading, writing and speaking. More than 160 countries accept the TOEFL. Test-takers aspiring to study abroad can choose either TOEFL iBT (internet-based), PBT (paper-based) or Home edition. The time duration is 3 hours. The TOEFL exam fee varies from $195 to $290 (INR 16,125 - INR 23,981) based on the location. 
 
If you’re interested in studying abroad, Kanan International guides you end-to-end and ensures your study abroad dream comes true.
 
Table of Contents

What are the TOEFL accepting universities in USA for Masters?

Almost all colleges and universities in the US recognise TOEFL iBT scores for masters programs. Given below is the list of top 20 universities that accept TOEFL iBT in the USA:
  1. Harvard University
  2. Stanford University
  3. Yale University
  4. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  5. Princeton University
  6. Columbia University
  7. University of California - Berkeley Campus
  8. The University of Chicago
  9. University of California - Los Angeles
  10. Duke University
  11. University of Houston
  12. Rice University
  13. Boston University
  14. Cornell University
  15. University of Pennsylvania
  16. University of Wisconsin Law School
  17. Auburn University
  18. The University of Alabama
  19. Northern Arizona University
  20. University of Arkansas

TOEFL Cut-off for US Universities in 2025

The TOEFL’s minimum cut-off score required for admission to US universities are in the table below. Since Tier I and Tier II universities require a TOEFL cut-off score of 80 and above, candidates must consider it a benchmark and aim higher to get one step closer to the admission process.
 
S No University accepting TOEFL Test Score TOEFL Cut-off Score 2025 Applicable Courses / Departments / Programs
1 Harvard University Varies (104 recommended) Undergraduate and graduate courses
2 Stanford University 89 - 100 overall Undergraduate and postgraduate programs, Graduate School of Business
3 Carnegie Mellon University 102+ College of Science, Department of Chemistry, School of Drama, School of Design
4 Georgetown University 80 Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, McDonough School of Business, School of Continuing Studies, Undergraduate Courses, Graduate- Data Science and Analytics
5 Vanderbilt University 88 Bachelor’s and Master’s programs
6 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 90 overall (100 recommended) Undergraduate courses
7 Columbia University 100 overall Undergraduate courses
8 Yale University 100 overall Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
9 University of Southern California 100; Minimum 20 in each section Graduate and Undergraduate Programs
10 Princeton University 108 overall Graduate School
11 Cornell University 100 overall Undergraduate Programs
12 Brown University 100 Undergraduate Courses
13 Dartmouth College 100+ Undergraduate and Postgraduate Programs
14 Boston University 79 overall Undergraduate Courses
15 New York University 100 Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Tisch School of the Arts
16 University of Notre Dame 100 Undergraduate and Postgraduate Courses
17 University of Michigan - Ann Arbor 84 Undergraduate Courses
18 Duke University 90 - 100 overall Graduate Courses
19 University of Florida 80 Graduate and Undergraduate Programs
20 Washington University in St Louis 90 Graduate and Undergraduate Programs
21 University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill 100 Graduate Programs
22 Emory University 95 Graduate - School of Business
23 University of California - Berkeley Campus 80 minimum School of Law, Graduate Programs, Undergraduate Programs and Berkeley Global Access
24 University of Virginia 90 Undergraduate Programs
25 University of Chicago 100 minimum; recommended higher Postgraduate Programs
26 University of Pennsylvania 100 overall Undergraduate Programs
27 Rice University 90 overall Graduate Programs
28 University of Houston 79 overall Undergraduate Programs
29 Northwestern University 95 The Graduate School, Undergraduate Programs, Weinberg School of Arts and Sciences, Department of Economics
30 University of Florida 80 Graduate and Undergraduate Programs

From the above table, it is clear that the popular Tier 1 universities require students to get at least 90 to 100 in the TOEFL exam. However, various courses at Tier - I and Tier - II universities accept a TOEFL minimum score of 80 in USA or above.

You can join Kanan's TOEFL Online Classes to achieve high scores in the TOEFL exam. 

TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA: Score-Wise

Here you will get the list of US universities accepting TOEFL scores categorised based on their score requirements.

TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA with Score 90

Foreign students with a TOEFL score of 90 are considered by top universities in the US like Cornell University, York University, etc.

University Name Score Range
York University 90
Stanford University 90 - 100
Harvard University 92 - 100
Northeastern University 92 and above
University of Pennsylvania 100
John Hopkins University 100
Rice University 100
Arizona State University 100
The University of Illinois, Chicago 100
The University of Texas at Austin 100
Vanderbilt University 100
Cornell University 100 and above
University of Southern California 100; minimum 20 in each section
University of North California - Chapel Hill 100
California Institute of Technology 100
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) 100

Note: First-year international applicants applying for undergraduate or postgraduate admissions are recommended to visit the university’s official website and check the minimum score requirements for TOEFL iBT, TOEFL PBT, and TOEFL Special Home Edition.

TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA with Score 80

The list of American universities that accept TOEFL scores of 80 are in the table below. Some of them are University of Wisconsin, University of California, etc.

College Name Score Range
Georgetown University 80
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor 84
University of Florida 80
University of California - San Diego 80
University of South Carolina - Columbia 80
University of California - Santa Cruz 83
University of California - Riverside 83
University of Pittsburgh 80

Note: Students are requested to check each university’s minimum and maximum scores, as the minimum score could be 70 - 79, while the maximum score could be 90 - 100 for 2025.

TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA with Score 70

The list of TOEFL accepting universities in the USA with a low score of 70 is given in the following table. Some of the popular educational institutions are Tulsa University, University of Montana, Arizona State University and University of Manchester.

College Name Score Range
Ohio State University 71
Bowling Green State University 61
Cleveland State University 65
University of New Mexico 68
Clark University Worcester 60 - 69
University of California - Davis 68
Arizona State University 61
University of Buffalo-SUNY 79
University of Washington 76
Lehigh University 75
University of Utah 61
University of Washington 76
University of Montana 70
University of Tulsa 70
East Tennessee State University 65
Dartmouth College 78
Indiana State University 71
Golden Gate University 71
Oregon State University 53

Note: Students looking for universities accepting a 75 TOEFL score in the USA can refer to the table above.

Non-native English speakers with a lower TOEFL score are still eligible for higher studies in US universities through “conditional admission”. International students with the required academic skills and abilities but do not have the English language test results (IELTS, TOEFL or PTE) can attend one of the following things to fulfil the English requirement:

  • English as a Second Language (ESL) Programs
  • Global Launch English Language Program

How to submit TOEFL scores to Colleges and Universities in the US?

When applying to a college or university in the US, follow the below steps to submit your TOEFL scores.

Before taking the test:

  • Create an ETS account
  • Register your credentials
  • You can add or delete universities through your ETS account until 10 p.m. on the day before your test. 
  • The TOEFL exam results will be transmitted to the educational institutions that you’ve included on your application.

Post Results:

  • The TOEFL score delivery time varies based on the type of test and how your designated universities receive scores.
  • You can request TOEFL test results through your ETS account.
  • You can send a record of their scores once they receive your TOEFL results. 
  • The universities specified on the list will receive the results after a period of five days.
  • For server feeds, 8 - 10 business days (11 - 16 business days for Paper Edition).

How Long is the TOEFL Score Valid?

Your TOEFL score validity is 2 years after your test date. If you’re not satisfied with your TOEFL score, you can retake the test at your convenience. Since candidates can take the TOEFL test multiple times, candidates can register for their second TOEFL test three days after registration for the first TOEFL test.

Indian students looking for additional score reports, must pay a fee of US$20 (INR 1,641) per institution/agency. However, there is no additional score reports fee for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition.

Conclusion

Now you know there are 1000+ TOEFL-accepting universities in the USA.” Since TOEFL is convenient, affordable and accessible, test-takers choose TOEFL tests for university admission purposes. Perhaps, students taking the TOEFL iBT test arrive on campus better prepared. Thus, start your TOEFL exam preparation for 2025 now and get through admission to top US universities.

FAQs

1. Do all universities in the USA accept TOEFL?

Yes, almost all colleges and universities in the USA accept TOEFL scores. Some top names are Yale University, Cornell University, Harvard University, Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and the University of Washington.

2. Is 75 a good TOEFL score?

Getting a score of 75 in TOEFL is not relatively good because the best colleges in the USA require at least an 80 score. However, candidates from India scoring 75 or below do not mean they have to wait for subsequent terms. Those candidates can still apply for other study programs.

3. Which US universities don’t accept TOEFL?

Universities that do not accept TOEFL or IELTS scores are:

  • University of North Alabama
  • Northwood University
  • Westcliff University
  • National Louis University
  • Notre Dame de Namur University
  • ECPI University
  • Lewis University
  • SouthEast Missouri State University

4. Is TOEFL accepted for a US visa?

Yes. TOEFL is accepted for a US visa as the immigration office requires you to prove your English proficiency. First, you need to be accepted by a study program at an accredited American institution. Then you can apply for your U.S. student visa.

5. Does the USA prefer IELTS or TOEFL?

Even though IELTS and TOEFL are both accepted by universities to study in the USA, when it comes to TOEFL vs IELTS, TOEFL is highly preferred because of acceptance, affordability and convenience.

6. How much TOEFL score is required for the USA?

The TOEFL requirements for US universities are between 70 and 90. It is required to study at universities in the USA. However, to get into top colleges requires a good score of 90 - 100.

7. How to check my TOEFL scores?

You can check your TOEFL scores in your ETS account. The results will be available around 6 days after your test date, depending on how you took the test.

8. Which are the GRE and TOEFL scores for top US universities?

The top US universities accepting GRE and TOEFL scores are California Institute of Technology (CalTech), Princeton University, Yale University, New York University (NYU), Duke University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Harvard University, Stanford University and the University of Chicago. 

9. What are the only TOEFL-accepting universities in the USA?

The universities in USA that accepting only TOEFL score are:

  • Harvard University
  • Stanford University
  • Columbia University
  • University of California - Berkeley Campus
  • University of Chicago
  • Yale University
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology

About Author Roshan Sunthar

Roshan Sunthar is a study abroad expert as well as a renowned writer and author in international education. His academic excellence and 5+ years of work experience give him in-depth knowledge of international standardised exams and test preparation in IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, PTE, SAT, etc. The study materials he prepares incorporate exam-like questions. He’s also an expert in writing Statement of Purposes (SOPs) and Letter of Recommendations (LORs) for college admissions. He usually spends his leisure time watching English classics and documentaries, travelling, etc.

Kanan International is a study abroad consultancy that offers reliable services, products, and solutions for students and education institutions. We support students throughout their study abroad journey, ensuring a hassle-free experience. Our expertise and commitment to excellence make us the go-to partner for expanding global horizons. The company provides coaching for IELTS, GRE, TOEFL, and SAT exams and services like visa consultation, accommodation, scholarship assistance, and education loans.

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