What IELTS score do you need for Cal State San Bernardino?

The graduate minimum is TOEFL 79 (before 21 January 2026) or 4 (on or after), IELTS 6.0, Duolingo 105, PTE 53, iTEP 4.4, or level 4 of CSUSB's English Language Program. The MBA, MPA and MSA need IELTS 6.5, the MBA needs Duolingo 110 and some other graduate programs also ask for 110. Communication & Media, English Composition (including TESL) and the Creative Writing MFA need TOEFL 90 (5.5 on the new scale) or IELTS 6.5. See steps to apply and the graduate student page.

Graduate applicants are exempt with a bachelor's or master's from a US college, or from a university outside the US where English is the principal language of instruction. CSUSB defines that as a country where English is the daily language of most residents and teaching is in English at all levels, and lists the qualifying countries: they include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and Canada (except Quebec, northern New Brunswick and Nunavut). India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh are not on the list, so a degree taught in English there does not qualify on its own.

Freshmen are exempt after three or more years at a US high school or a high school in a listed country, and transfers after English Composition with C- or better at a US college, or three years at an English-medium university in a listed country.

The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement CSUSB 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 CSUSB steps to apply page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar.