Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 31 October 2026
USF TOEFL minimums by level
From USF's international graduate academic requirements and the international first-year academic requirements.
| Level or programme | TOEFL iBT minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate (after 21 Jan 2026) | 4.5 | TOEFL Essentials 8.5 also accepted |
| Graduate (before 21 Jan 2026) | 79 | |
| First-year undergraduate | TOEFL not accepted for this requirement | SAT Reading and Writing 490, ACT English 17 and Reading 19, or CLT 38 |
How USF handles TOEFL scores
Graduate English scores must have been earned within two years of your intended term of entry. Applications with scores below the minimum will be denied. The page does not give an ETS institution code or a section minimum.
The TOEFL or IELTS requirement may be waived if you meet another listed requirement, for example a B or higher in the equivalents of ENC 101 and ENC 102 at a US regionally accredited institution. Other alternatives are listed in the USF academic catalog.
For comparison, the graduate page sets IELTS at 6.5.
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 USF's level
The graduate page does not describe conditional admission for a low score: it says applications with English scores below the minimum will be denied. For first-year applicants, the page says English tests such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo cannot substitute for the SAT, ACT or CLT minimums.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your USF programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What TOEFL score does USF need for graduate school?+
4.5 for tests after 21 January 2026, or 79 for earlier tests.
Does USF accept TOEFL for undergraduate admission?+
Not for the first-year language requirement. USF uses SAT, ACT or CLT scores and does not accept English tests as substitutes.
Does USF accept TOEFL Essentials?+
Yes, for graduate admission, at 8.5 or higher.
How old can my TOEFL score be for USF?+
It must have been earned within two years of your intended term of entry.
Keep reading
Related
- University of South Florida IELTS requirement
- University of Florida TOEFL requirement
- TOEFL's new 1 to 6 score scale
- 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.
© 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