Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 29 October 2026
Loyola New Orleans English levels
From the international undergraduate admission page. The table gives overall scores only.
| Programme | IELTS Academic | Other tests |
|---|---|---|
| Degree-seeking admission | 6.5 and above | TOEFL iBT 79+, Duolingo 115+, CEFR C1 or C2 |
| Pilot Program (conditional) | 5.5 to 6.0 | TOEFL iBT 61 to 78, Duolingo 100 to 114, CEFR B2 |
| Conditional admission to LIEP | Below 5.5 | TOEFL below 61, Duolingo below 100 |
Waivers and test-optional routes
The requirement may be waived with an SAT Reading and Writing score of 560 or above, or an A in AP or IB English. Loyola is test-optional, and the page says students may choose to use the SAT or ACT to satisfy the English requirement, though it gives no ACT minimum.
For graduate study, the international graduate students page asks for a TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo score but publishes no minimum; programme requirements apply.
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Pilot Program and LIEP
The Pilot Program is for students who are academically admissible but fall below the English minimum. It combines intensive English with credit-bearing classes, and all credits apply to the degree. LIEP is for students who need stronger English before the Pilot Program or full admission; you must have taken TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo, and the LIEP Director recommends your next step when you finish.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admission cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Loyola New Orleans programme page and in your admission letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Minimum vs competitive score
Where Loyola University New Orleans 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 Loyola University New Orleans require?+
IELTS 6.5 or above for degree-seeking undergraduate admission.
Can I get into Loyola New Orleans with IELTS 6.0?+
IELTS 5.5 to 6.0 can be considered for the Pilot Program, a conditional route that mixes English and credit classes.
Does Loyola New Orleans accept Duolingo?+
Yes. Duolingo 115 for direct entry and 100 to 114 for the Pilot Program.
Does Loyola New Orleans accept PTE?+
PTE is not in the English proficiency table. TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo and CEFR levels are.
Keep reading
Related
- Universities in the USA accepting IELTS 6.5
- Loyola University Maryland IELTS requirement
- Tulane University IELTS requirement
- LSU 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.
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