What IELTS score do you need for New Mexico State University?

A graduate international student needs at least a four-year bachelor's or equivalent and must show English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79 (tests before 21 January 2026) or 4.0 (after), IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 105. Doctoral students must meet these minimums. See English proficiency requirements.

Master's applicants with TOEFL 68–78 (3.5 new scale), IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 95–104 can be admitted but must sit the English Language Placement Test before starting coursework, and may have to add academic English classes such as ENGL 1105M or ENGL 471M to their degree.

The test is waived after one full-time academic year at a US college (30 undergraduate or 18 graduate credits), for students in a full-time approved US intensive English program, or for a degree from the US or a listed country. The country list was not displayed on the Graduate School page when we checked, so ask gradadmissions@nmsu.edu whether your degree qualifies.

First-year and transfer applicants need TOEFL iBT 3.5, IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 95. Citizens of listed countries, including Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, the Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Uganda and the UK, are exempt; India and Pakistan are not on the list. Two years at a US high school, or 24 US college credits with a 2.0 GPA, may also earn a waiver. See undergraduate international admission.

The US F-1 student visa sets no English test score of its own. What counts is the requirement NMSU 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 NMSU Graduate School English proficiency page again before you book a test, and check your own program page, which can set a higher bar.