What IELTS score do you need for Youngstown State University?

The College of Graduate Studies asks for TOEFL iBT 79–80 (paper 550; 4.5 on the 2026 scale) and accepts IELTS Academic as an alternative, stating that IELTS 6.5 equates to TOEFL paper 550. Duolingo needs 105 for master's programs and 115 for doctoral programs. A certificate from YSU's English Language Institute also works. PTE is not listed for graduate admission. See English proficiency requirements.

Proof is waived for applicants educated in English-speaking countries as YSU defines them (the list on the page includes Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda and the UK), for one-year US permanent residents, and after 24 semester hours at an accredited English-medium college in the US or another country where English is the official language. India and Pakistan are not on the country list.

Undergraduates need TOEFL iBT 67 (4 on the new scale), IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.0 on each band, SAT 920, ACT 17, Duolingo 95, PTE Academic 50, 24 semester hours at an English-medium college, or Level 5 at YSU's English Language Institute.

Applicants who meet every requirement except English can be admitted conditionally, at undergraduate and graduate level, on successful completion of ESL study at YSU's English Language Institute. Proof of English is optional for conditional applicants, though recent scores are encouraged. See conditional admission requirements.

The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement YSU sets for admission, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture of studying in the US with each test, see IELTS for the USA and PTE for the USA.

Requirements change between admission cycles. Check the YSU English proficiency requirements page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar.