Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
Purdue TOEFL minimums by level
From Purdue's undergraduate English proficiency page and the graduate how-to-apply page of the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars (OGSPS).
| Level or programme | TOEFL iBT minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, test before 21 Jan 2026 | 88, 20+ per section | ETS code 1631 |
| Undergraduate, test on or after 21 Jan 2026 | 4.5, 4.0+ per section | ETS code 1631 |
| Graduate, test before 21 Jan 2026 | 80 overall: W 18, S 18, L 14, R 19 | Must meet all five scores |
| Graduate, test on or after 21 Jan 2026 | 4.0 overall: W 4.0, S 3.5, L 3.5, R 4.0 | Must meet all five scores |
| Graduate, TOEFL Essentials | 8 overall and 8 per section | Not accepted by all programmes |
Purdue's TOEFL rules
The Graduate School accepts the TOEFL iBT, Home Edition, Paper Edition and TOEFL Essentials, but not MyBest scores. Scores must be no more than two years old when your admission recommendation reaches OGSPS, and must come directly from ETS. Codes are 1631 for West Lafayette (including Purdue in Indianapolis), 1638 for Northwest and 1336 for Fort Wayne.
Undergraduates can self-report scores in the application portal and send official scores to code 1631. TOEFL results may also be used for English course placement on enrolment.
For comparison, undergraduates generally have IELTS 6.5 with 6.0 in each section, and the graduate page sets IELTS at 6.5 overall.
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If your TOEFL score is below Purdue's level
Neither page offers conditional admission. Some graduate programmes require more than the OGSPS minimums, so check your programme's own English requirement before you test.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your Purdue programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What TOEFL score does Purdue need for undergraduates?+
88 with 20 per section for tests before 21 January 2026, or 4.5 with 4.0 per section for later tests.
What TOEFL score does Purdue graduate school need?+
80 overall with W 18, S 18, L 14 and R 19, or 4.0 overall with W 4.0, S 3.5, L 3.5 and R 4.0 on the new scale.
Does Purdue accept TOEFL Essentials?+
The Graduate School accepts it at 8, but not every graduate programme does.
What is Purdue's TOEFL code?+
1631 for West Lafayette, including Purdue in Indianapolis.
Keep reading
Related
- Purdue University IELTS requirement
- UIUC TOEFL requirement
- TOEFL score report explained
- What is a good TOEFL score?
- All 3797 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.
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