Ball State University requires all applicants with an education history outside of the U.S. to submit a TOEFL, IELTS Academic, SAT, ACT, Duolingo, or PTE score if they do not qualify for one of the waivers listed below.  

  • Official test scores must be sent electronically to Ball State University Admissions by the testing agency. Our school code is 1051 and the email is admissions@bsu.edu. 

  • English proficiency test scores are good for 24 months. Test scores older than 24 months will not be accepted. 

Please note that English proficiency requirements are based on educational history alone, and not on immigration status or status as an international or domestic applicant. Domestic applicants may also be subject to English proficiency standards and admission practices if they do not meet English proficiency requirements or qualify for a waiver as listed on this page. 

TOEFL iBT Scoring Update

Effective January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT introduced a new 1-6 scoring scale. Ball State University accepts scores reported on both the new 1-6 scale and the previous 0-120 scale. 

During the transition period through December 2027, applicants may continue to meet Ball State's English proficiency requirements using qualifying scores on the previous scale. Please review the requirements below for additional details. 

Required Scores for English Proficiency 

  • TOEFL iBT -4.5 (new 1-6 scale)
    • Through December 2027, a score of 79 or higher on the previous 0-120 scale will continue to meet the English proficiency requirement for full admission. 
    • Applicants with a 4.0 on the new scale and a comparable overall score of 79 or higher on the previous 0-120 scale will also meet the full admission requirement through December 2027. 
    • Ball State University accepts MyBest™ scores for the TOEFL iBT® test, in addition to TOEFL iBT scores from a single test date.
  • IELTS Academic-6.5
    • Ball State University accepts the IELTS One Skill Retake Results
  • SAT Critical Reading Section or SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing-500
  • ACT English Section-21
  • Duolingo-110
  • Pearson's PTE-53

Please note that your academic program/department may have different English proficiency requirements. For more information, contact your program/department directly.

Academic Bridge Program 

The Academic Bridge Program allows international students who have English proficiency scores slightly lower than the minimum requirement to begin taking degree classes while studying part-time in the final level of the Intensive English Institute. To qualify for admission to the Academic Bridge Program, students must meet the following English proficiency requirements: 

  • A Duolingo score of 100 or 105
  • A TOEFL iBT score of 4.0 (new 1-6 scale)
    • Scores between 75-78 on the 0-120 scale until December 2027
  • An IELTS Academic score of 6.0
  • A Pearson PTE score of 51-52

English Proficiency Waivers 

Applicants may qualify for an English proficiency waiver based on their educational history or qualifying professional employment experience. 

Education Completed in the United States

You can meet the English proficiency requirements of Ball State if you have done any of the following in the U.S.: 

  • earned a high school diploma; OR
  • earned a college degree at an accredited university in the U.S.; OR
  • successfully completed at least 24 credit hours credit-bearing academic coursework at an accredited institution in the U.S. 

Education Completed in Qualifying Countries

Applicants can also meet English proficiency requirements if they have earned a high school diploma, an earned university degree, or have completed 24 credit hours of credit-bearing academic study at an accredited institution from the following countries: 

Education Completed in English at Other Institutions

Applicants who have earned a high school diploma, completed a university degree, or successfully completed at least 24 credit hours of postsecondary coursework at an accredited institution where English is the primary language of instruction may be considered for an English proficiency waiver. Medium of Instruction (MOI) letters or certificates alone are not sufficient to establish English proficiency. Waiver requests are reviewed individually by International Admissions, taking into consideration the institution's accreditation, curriculum, education system, academic record, and use of English as the language of instruction. This review may include consideration of U.S., British, International Baccalaureate (IB), or other recognized English-language curricula. Approval of English proficiency waiver is at the discretion of International Admissions.

Professional Employment Experience

Applicants may request an English proficiency waiver based on at least one year of full-time professional employment in the U.S. or a listed English-speaking country within the five years preceding enrollment. Employment must demonstrate English proficiency appropriate for university-level study, including professional or technical communication, writing, or analytical responsibilities. Applicants must provide employer verification on official letterhead confirming employment dates, responsibilities, and use of English. Remote employment does not qualify if either the applicant or employer is located outside an eligible country. Waivers are reviewed individually at the discretion of International Admissions and are not guaranteed. 

About Conditional Admission 

Students who are eligible for conditional admission are admitted to the Intensive English Institute at Ball State and must meet English proficiency requirements before beginning study in a degree program. Please note that, beginning Spring 2024, a language test score will be required for conditional admission and/or admission to the Intensive English Institute. The Intensive English Institute offers Academic English courses for students who have the following minimum language test scores:

  • IELTS Academic 4.5
  • TOEFL iBT 3.0 (new 1-6 scale)
    • Minimum of 42 on the 0-120 scale until December 2027
  • Duolingo 65
  • Pearson PTE 40

Graduate Programs NOT Providing Conditional Admission 

All doctoral programs and online programs at Ball State do not offer conditional admission. In addition, the graduate programs below do not offer conditional admission: