Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 5 November 2026
Minimum scores by applicant type
From Dominican's first-year international and international graduate pages. The same TOEFL minimum is listed for the internet-based, at-home and paper versions.
| Programme | IELTS | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | 6.0 | TOEFL 79-80 (old scale), 4.5 (new scale); PTE Academic 53; ELS 112; ACT 21 English and Reading with 8 in writing; SAT Reading and Writing 520 |
| Graduate | 6.0 | TOEFL 79-80 (old scale), 4.5 (new scale); ELS 112 |
Other ways to show English
First-year applicants can also use a full IB Diploma in English, IB English A at 5 or higher, AP English Language and Composition at 4 or higher, GCE AS or A-level English at C or higher, Edexcel IGCSE at B or higher with speaking endorsed, or Cambridge B2 First. A US degree, or English 101 and 102 at C- or better at a US college, also counts.
Applicants with Indian CBSE or ISC Standard XII results, Malaysia SPM or GCE O-levels are invited to email the Director of International Enrollment for a case by case evaluation. Graduate applicants can use a degree from a US university, a degree taught in English outside the US, or a degree from a listed English-speaking country.
The first-year page says PTE Online is not currently accepted by consulates for visa applications, and asks for a PTE Academic score if you take PTE.
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ELS on campus and the I-20
Applicants without proof of English proficiency can apply to the ELS programme housed at Dominican. Admission is also separate from receiving an I-20, and the university says admission does not guarantee one. First-year applicants need a bank statement showing at least $58,208, while graduate applicants send a bank statement with a financial statement form specific to their school.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on the Dominican admissions page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Dominican University (Illinois) 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 Dominican University require?+
A minimum of 6.0 for both first-year and graduate international applicants. No minimum per band is given.
Does it accept PTE Academic?+
The first-year page lists PTE Academic at a minimum of 53. The graduate page does not list PTE.
Can CBSE or ISC English replace IELTS?+
The first-year page offers a case by case evaluation of these results through the Director of International Enrollment.
What if I have no English score?+
You can apply to the ELS programme housed at Dominican, and completing ELS 112 is accepted as proof.
Keep reading
Related
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- IELTS for the USA: scores and universities
- Free IELTS mock test with AI band score
- All 5688 guides
Guide updated on 5 November 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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