Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
JCU English requirements
From John Carroll's international students application page. It asks non-US citizens who attend or recently attended a school outside the US to submit one or more of the listed tests.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate (first-year and transfer) | 6.5 | TOEFL iBT 80 or 4.5 (new scale) |
| SAT / ACT (profile, not a minimum) | Not applicable | SAT 1290 and ACT 28 at the 50th percentile |
What the page does not list
The page does not name Duolingo, PTE Academic or Cambridge exams, and it gives no band minimums, waivers, validity period or conditional admission route. JCU tells applicants to check the StartJCU portal after applying to see whether test scores are required for their application.
International applicants also send a credential evaluation from an AACRAO-approved service, such as The Evaluation Company, WES, ECE or GCE, where JCU asks for one.
Free test: are you at John Carroll University's score yet?
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock test and get a band for each skill, so you know how far you are from the requirement 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.
Before you apply
Because the page lists IELTS and TOEFL only, plan on one of those unless your admission counselor confirms another test in writing. Graduate applicants should check their programme page, as this page covers undergraduate admission.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your John Carroll programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where John Carroll 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 John Carroll University need?+
A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 for international undergraduates.
What TOEFL score does John Carroll need?+
TOEFL iBT 80, or 4.5 on the new scoring scale.
Does John Carroll accept Duolingo?+
Duolingo is not listed on the international application page.
Is SAT 1290 a minimum at John Carroll?+
No. The page shows SAT 1290 and ACT 28 as 50th percentile figures, not minimums.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Ohio Northern University IELTS requirement
- Case Western Reserve University IELTS requirement
- Cleveland State 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.
© 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