Northwest English requirements at a glance
Sources: Northwest Admissions' language requirements for international students and the MBA admission requirements. Section minimums and score validity are not stated on the admissions page.
| Level | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | Duolingo | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate: MS in Applied Computer Science | 6.0 | 71 (new scale 4) | 105 | 53 |
| Graduate: all other programs | 6.5 | 79 (new scale 4) | 110 | 53 |
| Undergraduate | 5.5 | 61 (new scale 3.5) | 95 | 44 |
Graduate: 6.0 for MS-ACS, 6.5 elsewhere
Where Northwest lists two graduate scores, the first is for the MS-ACS program and the second for all other graduate programs: IELTS 6.0/6.5, TOEFL 71/79 (4 for tests from 21 January 2026), Duolingo 105/110, Cambridge C1 Advanced 169/176, Oxford ELLT 7, PTE 53 and iTEP 3.7/3.9. See language requirements.
The MBA lists TOEFL 79/80, IELTS 6.5 or PTE 53, and the requirement may be waived for applicants with a bachelor's from a regionally accredited US institution.
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Who is exempt
Citizens of listed countries are exempt, including Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, South Africa and the UK; Ghana, Gambia and Sierra Leone need a C or higher in WASSCE English. India, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh are not listed.
You also meet the requirement with a bachelor's, associate or graduate degree from an accredited institution in the US or a country where the native language is English, ACT composite 21, SAT 1060, a US high school diploma, a B or higher in first-language English at IGCSE, GCSE or O Level, or IB English Language and Literature HL at 5 or higher.
Student visa and next steps
The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement Northwest sets for admission, which leads to your Form I-20. For the wider picture of studying in the US with each test, see IELTS for the USA and PTE for the USA.
Requirements change between admission cycles. Check the Northwest language requirements page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar.
Frequently asked questions
What IELTS score do I need for the Northwest Missouri State MS in Applied Computer Science?+
IELTS 6.0. The alternatives are TOEFL 71 (4 on the new scale), Duolingo 105 or PTE 53.
What IELTS score do other Northwest master's programs need?+
IELTS 6.5, TOEFL 79 or Duolingo 110. PTE 53 is the same for every graduate program.
Are Indian students exempt from IELTS at Northwest Missouri State?+
No. India is not on Northwest's exempt-country list, and an Indian degree does not count as one from a country where the native language is English.
What is the undergraduate IELTS requirement at Northwest?+
IELTS 5.5, or TOEFL 61 (3.5 new), Duolingo 95 or PTE 44.
Keep reading
Related
- IELTS for the USA
- TOEFL to IELTS converter
- University of Central Missouri IELTS requirement
- Southeast Missouri State IELTS requirement
- All 1066 guides
Verified against the linked official sources on 11 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.
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