Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Cleveland State TOEFL minimums by level
From the undergraduate admission requirements page and the graduate international admissions page.
| Level or programme | TOEFL iBT minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, test before 21 Jan 2026 | 78 | No section below 17 |
| Undergraduate, test on or after 21 Jan 2026 | 4.0 | Reading, listening, speaking 3.5; writing 4.0 |
| Graduate | 78 | At least 17 in each section |
| Graduate, College of Engineering | 78 | Reading 20, listening 21, writing 17, speaking 20 |
How Cleveland State handles TOEFL scores
Section scores matter at both levels, so check each one against the table, not only the total. Graduate test scores must be official and sent directly to Cleveland State by the testing agency.
For comparison, the undergraduate page asks for IELTS 6.0 with no band below 5.0, and the graduate page asks for IELTS 6.0 with at least 5.0 in each section.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
If your TOEFL score is below Cleveland State's level
Undergraduates who fall short on English can take pathway courses through Cleveland State's English as a Second Language (ESL) Program. Graduate applicants can meet the requirement by completing the Advanced Level of CSU's Intensive English Language Program (IELP) with a grade of 80% or better, or ELS Level 112.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Cleveland State programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What TOEFL score does Cleveland State need for undergraduates?+
78 with no section below 17, or 4.0 on the new scale with 3.5 in reading, listening and speaking and 4.0 in writing.
What TOEFL score does Cleveland State need for graduate study?+
78 with at least 17 in each section.
Does Cleveland State engineering need a higher TOEFL?+
Yes. The College of Engineering asks for reading 20, listening 21, writing 17 and speaking 20 within the 78 total.
Is there a pathway for lower scores?+
Undergraduates can take ESL pathway courses; graduates can complete the IELP Advanced Level with 80% or better.
Keep reading
Related
- Cleveland State IELTS requirement
- University of Akron TOEFL requirement
- University of Toledo TOEFL requirement
- What is a good TOEFL score?
- All 3989 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.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy