Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
San Diego State TOEFL minimums by level
From the first-year international page, graduate steps to apply, Engineering Joint Doctoral Program, Fowler graduate business admissions and Linguistics graduate admission.
| Level or programme | TOEFL iBT minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate | 4 (from 21 Jan 2026); 80 (earlier) | Scores from the past two years |
| Graduate (university minimum) | 4 (from 21 Jan 2026); 80 (earlier) | Some programmes require more |
| Fowler College of Business (graduate) | 80 | Page gives only the 0 to 120 figure |
| Linguistics (graduate) | 90 | Page gives only the 0 to 120 figure |
| Engineering Joint Doctoral Program | 85 before 21 Jan 2026; 4.5 or 4 after | The page gives both new-scale figures; Home Edition not accepted |
How San Diego State handles TOEFL scores
Graduate test scores must be dated within two years of the start of the application filing period. You can have official scores sent by the testing agency or upload a copy of your official score report through my.SDSU. First-year scores must be from within the past two years.
The Engineering Joint Doctoral Program gives SDSU's ETS code as 4682 (and UCSD's as 4836), and it requires tests from the last two years.
For comparison, the graduate page and the first-year page both set IELTS at 6.5.
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If your TOEFL score is below San Diego State's level
First-year applicants can instead complete EAP Level 8 at SDSU's American Language Institute (Level 106 before May 2026). Graduate applicants may be waived with a US associate's degree, two years of full-time US study, or a degree from an international institution taught principally in English. The pages do not describe conditional admission.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your SDSU programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What TOEFL score does San Diego State require?+
4 on tests from 21 January 2026, or 80 on earlier tests, for first-year and graduate applicants.
What TOEFL score does the SDSU Engineering Joint Doctoral Program need?+
85 on tests before 21 January 2026; the page gives 4.5 in one place and 4 in another for newer tests.
Does SDSU accept the TOEFL Home Edition?+
The Engineering Joint Doctoral Program does not.
What is SDSU's TOEFL code?+
4682.
Keep reading
Related
- San Diego State IELTS requirement
- UC Irvine TOEFL requirement
- Santa Clara TOEFL requirement
- The new TOEFL score scale (2026)
- All 3989 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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