Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Case Western TOEFL minimums by level
From CWRU's international undergraduate applicants page and the School of Graduate Studies' international applicant information.
| Level or programme | TOEFL iBT minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | 4.5 (from 21 Jan 2026); 90 (on or before 20 Jan 2026) | Home Edition and Paper Edition accepted; paper-based 577 |
| Graduate (general) | 5.0; 90 on the old scale | Valid for two years from the test date |
| Course Focused Engineering master's | 4.5; 80 on the old scale | |
| Art History; Art History and Museum Studies | 5.0; 100 on the old scale | |
| Biomedical Engineering; Chemistry Entrepreneurship; Molecular and Cellular Biology of Disease | 5.0, no sub-score below 4.0; 100 on the old scale | |
| Organizational Behavior | 5.5, no sub-score below 5.0; 100 on the old scale | No language score waiver |
How Case Western handles TOEFL scores
Undergraduates can self-report scores on the applicant portal or have them sent by the testing agency; enrolling students confirm with official reports.
The School of Graduate Studies accepts the TOEFL Home Edition, but not TOEFL Essentials or MyBest scores. You must reach the minimum on one exam date, as scores are not superscored. A paper-based TOEFL (577) also needs a spoken English test with a short writing assessment before admission. Scores are valid for two years from the test date.
For comparison, the undergraduate page sets IELTS at 7, and the graduate page sets IELTS at 7.0 (6.5 for Course Focused Engineering master's).
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If your TOEFL score is below Case Western's level
The School of Graduate Studies says it does not offer conditional admission without official language scores that meet the minimum. The graduate test requirement is waived if your bachelor's or master's degree was taught mainly in English, except for Molecular and Cellular Biology of Disease and Organizational Behavior. Undergraduates can have the requirement waived after two years at an English-medium school or with SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing of 630 or higher.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Case Western programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What TOEFL score does Case Western need for undergraduates?+
4.5 for tests from 21 January 2026, or 90 on the iBT for earlier tests.
What TOEFL score does Case Western graduate school need?+
5.0, or 90 on the old scale; 4.5 (80) for Course Focused Engineering master's programmes.
Does Case Western accept TOEFL MyBest scores?+
No. The School of Graduate Studies requires the minimum on one exam date and does not superscore.
Does Case Western offer conditional admission for low TOEFL scores?+
No. Graduate Studies does not offer conditional admission without official scores at the minimum.
Keep reading
Related
- Case Western Reserve IELTS requirement
- Ohio State TOEFL requirement
- TOEFL's new 1 to 6 score scale
- What is a good TOEFL score?
- All 3797 guides
Guide updated on 31 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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