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Universities Accepting IELTS 6 & 6.5 Band in the USA

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If you are aspiring to study at US universities, you must meet some requirements in order to be eligible for admission. Out of all the requirements, English language proficiency is one of the key criteria for gaining admission. Since English is the official and the most widely spoken language in the US, a good score in English language exams is an absolute must.

Some of the most common English language proficiency tests include TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), Internation English Language Testing System (IELTS), Pearson Test of Education (PTE), and Duolingo. Among these, TOEFL and IELTS are most popular for aspirants bound for the United States (US). In this article, we will explore the IELTS in more detail.

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The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores are accepted by 3400+ institutions in the USA. Depending upon the program and the university, the minimum acceptable IELTS score may vary between 5 to 7 on a scale of 9. IELTS 6 band universities in the USA are the most sought after by international students with middling scores.

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In this blog, we will discuss universities in the USA with IELTS 6.0 or 6.5 for international students. But before that, let’s learn about IELTS and the score interpretation.

Table of Contents

What is the IELTS Exam?

The IELTS exam is one of the popular standardised tests of English proficiency for aspirants who wish to study abroad. IELTS is co-owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS, and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.

The IELTS (Academic) is a critical test if you wish to study in a country where English is the native language. Hence, if you wish to study in the US, do consider taking the IELTS. The exam tests your ability to read, write, listen, and speak in English.

The test has four major components:

Section

Duration

Number of questions

Listening

30 mins

40

Reading

60 mins

40

Writing

60 mins

2

Speaking

11-14 mins

3 parts/tasks

The overall time taken to complete the test is about 2 hrs 45 mins. The test is graded on a scale of 0 to 9.

Suggested: IELTS Exam Syllabus and Pattern

IELTS Score Scale

The scoring scale or grading pattern of the IETLS is divided into nine bands, from 0 to 9. The score on the band shared below is an average of all sections. Here’s a quick summary of the same.

Band Score

Skill Level

9

Expert

8

Very good

7

Good

6

Competent

5

Modest

4

Limited

3

Extremely Limited

2

Intermittent

1

Non-user

0

Didn't attempt

As you see, the higher your IELTS score, the greater your ability to communicate with native speakers of English. A score closer to 9 demonstrates expertise whereas one below 5 shows a need for improvement.

Suggested: IELTS Grading Pattern

Overview of IELTS 6 & 6.5 Band Universities in the US

Achieving an IELTS score of 6 or 6.5 makes your profile very strong. If you get a score of 6 or 6.5 or higher on the IELTS test, your chances of gaining admission to US universities turn brighter. A high score on the IELTS demonstrates that you are competent enough for studies, work, and immersing in the culture of the new country.

However, admission to universities with IELTS 6 in the USA is not decided exclusively by your test results. For getting into a top university, you must fulfil other criteria like a good high school GPA, well-drafted LOR and SOP, and more. Basically, a well-rounded profile is equally necessary.

Now, let's check out the list of universities that accept IELTS 6 and 6.5 bands in the US.

Shortlisting universities which accept IELTS 6-6.5 bands can take time and effort. But with Yocket Premium Counselling, no bridge is too far.

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List of Universities Accepting IELTS 6 Band in the US

An overall IELTS score of 6 shows competence and is therefore considered acceptable. Here is a list of some top US universities accepting IELTS 6 bands for MS and other degrees:

Let's discuss all universities which accept IELTS 6 in USA one by one:

Texas A&M University, College Station

Texas A&M University, College Station (TAMU) is one of the top IELTS 6 band universities for Masters’ in USA. TAMU is a leading public university in Texas with 69000 students. The university provides around 133 undergraduate degree programs, 175 masters, 92 doctoral and 5 professional degrees full of possibilities.

Texas A&M University, College Station World Ranking 2025

154

Annual Average Fees

$43,600

Popular Courses

Computer Science, Business, Management, Marketing, Data Science

University of Florida

The University of Florida is one of the leading institutions in Florida offering 100 UG majors and 200 graduate programs. The university is home to over 3000 international students and is one of the leading research universities in the US.

Having a top university like UoF accepting a minimum of IELTS 6 band is an opportunity to get quality education in a world-class setup.

University of Florida World Ranking 2024

215

Annual Average Fees

$30134

Popular Courses

Engineering & Technology, Life Sciences and Medicine, Arts and Humanities

Suggested: IELTS Accepting Universities in the US

George Washington University

Based in Ashburn, George Washington University is a private university established in 1821. Nearly 11,000 undergraduates & 15,000 graduate students come from 130 different countries to study at the University.

Over 800 Yocketers have received admits from George Washington University in the last 3 years. Check out the Yocket Community over here.

The George Washington University World Ranking 2025

371

Annual Average Fees

$59870

Popular Courses

Social Sciences, Business and Management, Engineering, Computer and Information Sciences

University of Massachusetts, Boston

University of Massachusetts, Boston (Or UMass, as it’s called), is a public research institution located in Boston, United States. The institution ranks in the top three in terms of diversity in the United States with over 2000 international students from over 150 nations. The university offers more than 100 graduate programs and a high number of undergraduate programs too.

University of Massachusetts, Boston World Ranking 2025

1001-1200

Annual Average Fees

$14175

Popular Courses

Computer Science, Information Technology, Business Analytics, Software Engineering

Suggested: IELTS vs TOEFL

Cleveland State University

It is a public research university located in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland State University was founded in 1964 and offers over 175 academic programs across 8 colleges and schools, including the Monte Ahuja College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, and the College of Engineering.

Cleveland State University World Ranking 2025

1201 - 1400

Annual Average Fees

$20,652 to $23,128

Popular Courses

Computer Science, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Business and Management

List of Universities Accepting IELTS 6.5 Band in the US

An overall IELTS score of 6.5 is considered to be competitive and acceptable by most top-ranked universities in the US. Here is a list of some top US universities accepting IELTS 6.5 bands for MS and other degrees:

Let's discuss all universities which accept IELTS 6.5 in the USA one by one:

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

The University of Michigan - Ann Arbor is a public research university, founded in 1817. UMich (as it is often called) spends heavily on research to the tune of $893 million annually. The university has programs across UG and PG courses with over 7000 international students calling it home.

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor World Ranking 2025

25

Annual Average Fees

$15,498

Popular Courses

Computer Science, Data Science, Business and Management, Human Computer Interaction

University of Texas at Austin

The University of Texas at Austin is one of the leading universities in the US. Founded in 1883, it is the flagship institution of the University of Texas System and one of the largest universities in the United States. With over 50,000 students and more than 3,000 faculty members, UT Austin offers a wide range of undergraduate (UG) and graduate programs in various fields of study.

University of Texas at Austin World Ranking 2025

66

Annual Average Fees

$17,312 - $19,786

Popular Courses

Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Civil Engineering, Business Analytics

Suggested: How to Register for the IELTS Exam?

Purdue University

Purdue University is a public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. It is one of the highest-ranked universities in the USA and attracts a large number of overseas applications. However, the university has a very reasonable bar for IELTS scores by keeping it at a minimum of 6.5. If your overall profile is good enough, you would still have a high chance of making it.

Purdue University West Lafayette World Ranking 2025

89

Annual Average Fees

$29000 - $41000

Popular Courses

Computer Science, Data Science, Business and Management, Human Computer Interaction

The University of Kansas

It is one of the leading public universities in the state of Kansas. The University of Kansas has 14 academic schools offering a combined 400+ degree and certificate programs. It has some of the more affordable programs among top US universities in the IELTS 6.5 band. Its programs like Public Administration, Nursing, Petroleum Engineering, and Finance are among the most esteemed in the US.

The University of Kansas World Ranking 2025

452

Annual Average Fees

$17963

Popular Courses

Petroleum Engineering, Public Administration, Finance, Sociology

Suggested: Best Universities in the USA 2023 - 2024

Florida State University

Established in 1851, Florida State University (FSU) is the oldest university in the state of Florida. With a 17:1 student: faculty ratio and students from 130 countries, FSU is right up there on the charts for students planning a Master’s or Bachelor’s abroad. With 282 programs across Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD levels, aspiring students have a plethora of options to choose from. Coupled with a high global ranking as well as a solid reputation for research, FSU is a prominent destination for foreign students.

Florida State University World Ranking 2025

573

Annual Average Fees

$20,043

Popular Courses

Computer Science, Data Science, Industrial Engineering, Business Analytics

Application Process for US Universities Accepting IELTS 6 & 6.5 Bands

The process of applying to universities in the US remains the same regardless of your IELTS score. Here’s a quick walkthrough of the step-wise process for applying to universities in the US with an IELTS 6/6.5 band score.

  • Step 1 - Make a list of universities which require a minimum IELTS score of 6 or 6.5. Do check out the sectional requirements as well.
  • Step 2 - Once this list is ready and all other requirements are matched, fill up the application form after creating an account on the university portal.
  • Step 3 - Send in your applications with all the necessary documents, including academic resume/CV, academic transcripts, proof of English language proficiency, SAT/GMAT/ACT/GRE scores, statement of purpose (SOP), letter of recommendation (LOR), and others.
  • Step 4 - Pay the required application fee.
  • Step 5 - After receiving the letter of acceptance from a university, you can apply for an F1-Visa with documents like a passport, identity proof, photo, and application fee payment receipt.

To know more regarding IELTS 6 or 6.5 band universities in the US, or need any assistance in deciding the university, feel free to contact an advisor from Yocket.

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Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS 6 & 6.5 Band US Universities

Why are IELTS scores important in admissions?

Is 6.5 IELTS good for US universities?

How many universities in the USA accept IELTS scores?

Which universities accept IELTS 6.5 band in the USA?

Which universities accept IELTS 6 band in the USA?

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