International students who want to study in the United States of America will have to pass the hurdle of language proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, etc. These tests are standardized tests that determine students’ English level by assessing their reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills.
It has become almost impossible to think of securing an admission and scholarships from any part of the developed country, but that is one of the the key reason ScholarshipDailys.com was created “to show you how the imaginable thoughts are possibly achieved with ease“. I had previously published similar article but on the Universities in Canada to also gain an admission without the English proficiency test. Check it out here.
TOEFL and IELTS are the most common types of language proficiency tests, and they are usually mandated by top schools. The mandatory requirements for IELTS or TOEFL most often hindered students to pursue their dream courses in the country. This is because the tests are usually expensive and a bit stressful for international students. It is important to note that the language proficiency tests are for individuals whose country the first language isn’t English.
Even though most of the universities and other tertiary institutions in the US require international students to have a language proficiency test, especially TOEFL, or IELTS before they can be offered admission, some universities allow students to submit less common proficiency tests or have them offered special program instead of the mandatory TOEFL or IELTS.
International students who have been looking for the list of universities in the USA that don’t require TOEFL or IELTS should read through this piece as it contains a brief enumeration of colleges and universities in the USA that doesn’t require IELTS or TOEFL.
Eligibility Criteria Study Without IELTS or TOEFL in the USA
It is known that if you are from a country where English isn’t your first language, you will have to produce a language proficiency before you can be considered for admission in the USA. Generally, you must either produce IELTS or TOEFL as that’s what is being accepted by top universities in the country. However, there are some alternatives provided by some schools like special proficiency programs and others.
That being said, if you want to study in the USA without IELTS or TOEFL, there are some criteria that you will have to fulfill, these are highlighted below:
- Be a Native of an English-speaking Country: One of the ways to study in the USA without IELTS or TOEFL is to be a native of an English-speaking country, or English is your first language. If you fit in this condition, you will need no IELTS or TOEFL or any English Language Proficiency Test to study in the USA.
- Have Studied in the USA for One Year: If you have attended and completed any kind of academic studies for at least one year in the USA, you can be accepted at a university to study in the USA without IELTS or TOEFL.
- Offered Alternative Proficiency Language Tests: Apart from IELTS and TOEFL, many other language proficiency tests serve as alternatives to the major accepted tests. There are Intensive English Learning Programs (IELP) offered by some universities as alternatives to TOEFL or IELTS. Also, there are some Summer Programs in the USA that you can attend to make up for the lack of English Language Proficiency Proof and study in without IELTS or TOEFL.
- English as Medium of Instruction Proof: If you have at least studied for 5 years consecutive with the English language as a medium of instruction, you will likely be accepted without IELTS or TOEFL. Also, you are a graduate of English language you will need no language proficiency test score to be offered admission.
- Bridge Courses Offered by Some Universities: As alternatives to TOEFL or IELTS, some universities offered bridge courses to students who do not meet the minimum English Language Requirements for direct admission in a course.
List Of Colleges and Universities in USA that Won’t Ask you Of Language Proficiency Tests
Having known the criteria that qualify you to be offered admission into universities in the USA without TOEFL or IELTS.
This is the list of universities that offered admission to international students without IELTS or TOEFL in the US.
1. Rice University
William Marsh Rice University which is commonly called Rice University is a private research university in Houston, USA. It was established in 1912 and is structured into eleven residential colleges and eight schools of academic study. The common program offered at the university are Biochemistry, Economics, Kinesiology and exercise science, Psychology, Astronomy, Chemical Engineering, and Architectural Studies. It has a total of 2,500 international students and it is the 94th best University in the QS World University Rankings.
Students don’t need TOEFL or IELTS to be offered admission into Rice University. However, you must have proof that you have offered to study using English as a medium of instruction. This also depends on your course of study or department.
2. California State University
California State University (CSU) is a public university system in California. It is the largest public University in the US with 23 campuses and eight off-campus centers. It students’ total population is 485,550.
CSU doesn’t require students to submit TOEFL or IELTS to be offered admission if they have attended secondary school or/and graduate school with English as their medium of instruction. Also, the school has a program that waived students of some countries from the minimum English requirement.
3. Drexel University
Drexel University is a private research university with campuses in Philadelphia and California. It was established in 1891 and offers undergraduate, graduate, and advanced study programs. Some common courses offered at the university include Nursing, Accounting and finance, Mechanical engineering, Marketing/marketing management, and Computer science.
It is among universities in the US that don’t require IELTS or TOEFL for admission. It accepts other language tests like Duolingo, CAE, CPE, etc. Also, it has two conditional admission programs i.e. University Preparation Summer Program (UPREP) and Bridge Program for international students who don’t meet the language requirement.
4. State University of New York
This university offer students admission without IELTS or TOEFL. Instead of the IELTS or TOEFL, the school requires students to e students must undertake the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) to be considered for admission.
The State University of New York is a system of public colleges and universities in New York State. It is the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the United States of America with a total of 394,220 students.
5. University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public research university based in Iowa City, Iowa. It was established in 1847. It is the oldest and the second-largest university in the state of Iowa. It offers more than 200 major courses and has a total enrollment of 23,000.
It though requires IELTS or TOEFL as admission requirements but it is not mandatory as students can also submit DuoLingo, ACT, etc as alternatives. Individuals from countries in which English is their official language can be offered admission without any Language proficiency test at the University of Iowa.
In addition, students who do not meet the English proficiency requirement may be eligible for the school’s International Conditional Admission – a program that mirun upn-up to a year, before the successful students can be able to start their main programs.
6. University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public research university located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. It was established in 1871 and offers more than 200 programs. It has a total number of 29,500 students. The school is known for its strong programs in architecture, agriculture (particularly animal science and poultry science), communication disorders, creative writing, history, and Middle Eastern studies.
You can study in the school without TOEFL/IELTS scores as admission requirements but you are required to undertake the Intensive English Language Program (IELP).
7. University of Dayton
Another university in the US that can offer admission to international students without IELTS or TOEFL is the University of Dayton. It is a top-tier national Catholic research university established in 1850 with a mission of service and leadership in the community.
University of Dayton’s admission to the eligible international students is conditional as such, those who do not meet the university’s language requirement, are required to undertake the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) offered by the school.
8. University of Delaware
The University of Delaware or UD is a public institution that was founded in 1743. It offers more than 200 courses, some of which include Finance, General studies, Marketing/marketing management, Registered nursing/registered nurse, Research, and experimental psychology. It is the largest university in Delaware.
This university has flexible admission requirements for international students as it doesn’t only accept IELTS or TOEFL, but other English language proficiency tests like Duolingo, Cambridge English Assessment, ACT, and the likes. It also offers Conditional Admission which after completion, allows students to be enrolled fully into some selected degree programs at the university.
Those who partook in the program don’t need any form of Language proficiency test score.
9. University of New Orleans (UNO)
The University of New Orleans is a research-intensive public urban university located in New Orleans, Louisiana, US. It was established in 1956 and has four colleges which are College of Business Administration, College of Liberal Arts, Education and Human Development, College of Engineering, and College of Sciences. Some of the programs offered at the school are Biological Sciences, Business administration and management, Multi-/interdisciplinary studies, Accounting, and Psychology
UNO offers international students admission without the IELTS or TOEFL. International applicants who are from English-speaking countries like the UK, Australia, New Zealand, etc don’t need any language proficiency test to be offered admission at the university as well as foreign students who have previously completed high school and/or college-level work.
The school also permits you to enroll in the Intensive English Language Program (IELP) if you didn’t meet the language proficiency test requirements.
10. University of Colorado Boulder
The University of Colorado Boulder is among some of the universities in the USA that offers international students admission without IELTS or TOEFL. The university is a public research university in Boulder, Colorado. It was founded in 1876 and has a total number of 35,528 students enrollment.
Students who are are natives of English-speaking countries can be offered admission into the university without IELTS or TOEFL as well as individuals who have completed an academic year in the USA as a student.
11. Northwestern University, Chicago
Northwestern University is one of the leading private research universities in the USA. It was founded in 1851 and currently has an enrollment of 8,900 students. Some of the courses offered at the university are Econometrics and quantitative economics, Journalism, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Political science and government.
The university has IELTS or TOEFL as its language proficiency requirements but generally accepts other English language proficiency tests like Duolingo.
12. University of Wisconsin–La Crosse
The University of Wisconsin–La Crosse is a public university in La Crosse, Wisconsin. It was established in 1909 and currently has up to 10,580 students enrollment. Some of the known courses offered are Biology/biological sciences, Psychology, Kinesiology and exercise science, Finance, and Elementary education and teaching.
Students are allowed to submit language proficiency tests like Duolingo, PTE as alternatives for TOEFL and IELTS. Also, undergraduate applicants who cannot meet the English proficiency requirement might be considered for conditional admission.
13. Pace University
Pace University is a private in New York City, USA. It was established in 1906 and offers courses like Registered nursing, Accounting, Finance, Advertising, Mass communication/media studies, etc. It has a total enrollment of 9,000 and it is among the top 50 underrated universities in the USA.
It is among universities in the USA that can offer applicants admission without IELTS or TOEFL is a must. Applicants with Pearson PTE, Kaplan KITE, Duolingo tests can be considered instead of IELTS or TOEFL. The school also gives students who didn’t meet required test scores the avenue of enrolling into its Pace University Global Pathways program which will allow students to be well prepared before being matriculated.
Conclusion
Language proficiency test forms one of the admission requirements in the US. IELTS and TOEFL are the two most generally accepted English language proficiency tests by universities in the US. If don’t want to face the IELTS or TOEFL requirements burden, we have just helped list the universities in the US that can offer you admission without IELTS or TOEFL. We believe this will help in one way or the other. If there’s anything you will like to know regarding this article, kindly drop a comment below.