Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 1 November 2026
St. Cloud State TOEFL minimums by level
From the graduate English proficiency page, the graduate admission criteria page and the international undergraduate English proficiency page.
| Level or programme | TOEFL iBT minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, tests before 21 Jan 2026 | 61 | Reading, Writing and Listening 15 or higher |
| Undergraduate, tests after 21 Jan 2026 | 3.5 | Reading 3.5; Writing and Listening 3.0 |
| Graduate, full admission | 4.5; legacy 100 | Any graduate programme |
| Graduate, provisional admission | 4.0, no subscore below 4.0; legacy 79 to 99, no subscore below 17 | Must complete EAP 511 and EAP 512 |
| Graduate, conditional language admission | 3.5; legacy 61 to 78 | Complete Intensive English Center Level 5 first |
| Graduate, three-year degree pathway | 68, no subscore below 16 | Provisional admission with GPA 2.75 |
How St. Cloud State handles TOEFL scores
Graduate applicants below 3.5 (legacy 61) are not eligible for graduate admission. The graduate page does not accept the Duolingo English Test, IELTS General Training, or medium of instruction letters. The undergraduate page says test reports must be less than two years old and official scores must be sent directly to SCSU.
For comparison, the graduate page sets IELTS Academic at 7.5 for full admission, 6.5 to 7.0 for provisional and 5.5 to 6.0 for conditional language admission; the undergraduate page sets IELTS at 5.5.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill 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.
If your TOEFL score is below St. Cloud State's level
Graduate applicants in the provisional band take EAP 511 and EAP 512 alongside their programme, and those in the conditional band complete Intensive English Center Level 5 before starting graduate coursework. The exemptions page says even exempt students may be asked to take an English placement test and may then need ESL or EAP 511 and 512. Undergraduates can also qualify by completing St. Cloud State's Intensive English Center with a letter from its director.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your St. Cloud State programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What TOEFL score does St. Cloud State need for full graduate admission?+
4.5, or 100 or more on the legacy scale.
Can I be admitted to a St. Cloud State graduate programme with a lower TOEFL?+
Yes. 4.0 (79 to 99) gives provisional admission with EAP 511 and 512, and 3.5 (61 to 78) gives conditional language admission.
What TOEFL score do St. Cloud State undergraduates need?+
61 with Reading, Writing and Listening of 15, or 3.5 after 21 January 2026.
Does St. Cloud State graduate admission accept Duolingo?+
No. The graduate page lists the Duolingo English Test as not accepted.
Keep reading
Related
- St. Cloud State IELTS requirement
- Minnesota State Mankato TOEFL requirement
- The new TOEFL score scale (2026)
- What is a good TOEFL score?
- All 4564 guides
Guide updated on 1 November 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