Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
ACU English requirements by level
From ACU's international undergraduate admissions checklist and international graduate application information. Scores must be sent by the testing body using ACU test code 6001.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 6.5, reading and writing 6.0 | TOEFL 80 (reading and writing 19), Duolingo 110 |
| Graduate | 6.5, reading and writing 6.0 | TOEFL 80 (reading and writing 19), Duolingo 110 |
Exemptions
Undergraduates can instead show citizenship of an English-proficiency exempt country, two consecutive years at a US high school, or 24 or more transfer credit hours from an accredited US university. ACU may require additional proficiency exams at its discretion.
Graduate applicants are exempt with a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited US institution, or from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. That second route can suit graduates of English-medium universities in India, Pakistan, Nigeria or Bangladesh. PTE is not on ACU's list.
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Costs and graduate GPA
ACU lists 2026-27 undergraduate tuition of $47,000 for the autumn and spring semesters. Graduate programmes generally ask for a 3.0 GPA, with some departments stricter, and graduate tuition is listed on each programme page.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your ACU programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Abilene Christian University publishes an IELTS score, it is the minimum: the floor an application has to meet to be considered, not a score that guarantees an offer.
Competitive programmes, and courses with far more applicants than places, may expect more than the minimum, and some departments set their own overall or per-skill scores, often for writing or speaking. The course page has the final word, so check it before you book a test.
If you are close to the line, aim for a margin above it: one weak skill can miss the requirement even when the overall band clears it. Not sure where you stand? Take a free IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score does Abilene Christian University require?+
IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in reading and writing, for undergraduate and graduate applicants.
Does ACU accept Duolingo?+
Yes, at a minimum of 110.
Does ACU accept PTE?+
PTE is not on ACU's list. It accepts TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo.
Can an English-medium degree replace IELTS for ACU graduate study?+
Yes. A bachelor's from an institution where English is the primary language of instruction meets the requirement.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Angelo State University IELTS requirement
- Baylor University IELTS requirement
- Texas Tech University IELTS requirement
- IELTS for the USA: scores by university
- All 2279 guides
Guide updated on 29 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
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