Intriduction
International students aiming to study in the United States often worry about IELTS or TOEFL exams. The good news is that many USA universities waive English proficiency tests or accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter as proof of English, especially for the 2026/2027 intake. This blog post compiles a detailed list of American universities where you can study without IELTS – either via IELTS waivers, MOI certificates, or by submitting English proof later – for undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs. We also highlight which of these universities offer full or partial scholarships and graduate assistantships, so you can combine language waivers with funding opportunities. Read on to discover USA universities without IELTS, MOI accepted universities in USA, and scholarships in USA for international students 2026!
Understanding IELTS Waivers and MOI Letters
Many U.S. universities now recognize alternative proofs of English proficiency beyond the traditional IELTS/TOEFL. Key ways you can meet English requirements without IELTS include:
-
Medium of Instruction (MOI) Certificate: A letter from your previous institution stating that English was the medium of instruction for your studies. Some universities waive IELTS/TOEFL if you completed 2–4 years of education in English. For example, many state universities and privates will grant an IELTS waiver if you studied at least two years in English-medium at high school or college. Always obtain an official MOI letter on letterhead confirming “the medium of instruction was English.”
-
Alternative English Tests: Most IELTS-waiving universities accept exams like Duolingo English Test (DET), PTE Academic, or TOEFL iBT instead. These tests are often cheaper or more accessible (Duolingo can be taken online for ~$59). For instance, many U.S. institutions now accept Duolingo or PTE in place of IELTS/TOEFL.
-
Conditional Admission (English Pathway Programs): Some universities offer conditional admission if you lack a test score. You first enroll in an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) or take an internal English exam upon arrival. After improving your English or passing the on-campus test, you transition into the degree program. This essentially lets you submit proof of English later in the process. For example, the University of Iowa grants admission without IELTS if you agree to take an on-campus English Proficiency Evaluation upon arrival, and the University of Arkansas admits students without TOEFL/IELTS provided they complete the campus Intensive English Program before starting classes.
-
Country or Prior Education Exemptions: Many universities waive TOEFL/IELTS for students from certain English-speaking countries or with degrees from English-speaking institutions. For example, if you earned a bachelor’s in the UK or Nigeria, or attended an English-medium high school in India, you might qualify for a waiver (policies vary by university, so check their English proficiency page).
Note: If you are admitted without IELTS, be prepared to demonstrate English ability in your F-1 visa interview. Visa officers may ask how you’ll manage coursework in English. You should speak confidently; if you struggle with English during the interview, it could lead to rejection. However, as long as your university issues the I-20 form and you can communicate well, not having IELTS is not a visa deal-breaker.
List of U.S. Universities Without IELTS Requirements (2026/27)
Below is a detailed list of USA universities that waive IELTS/TOEFL or accept MOI, along with the alternative requirement and the academic levels covered. We also include information on scholarships, tuition waivers, or assistantships at each institution, so you can gauge financial aid options. (Policies are for 2025–2027 intakes – always verify the latest requirements on the official site, as they can change.)
Private Universities Accepting MOI or Waiving English Tests (with Scholarships)
These private institutions are known to accept MOI letters or grant IELTS waivers and also offer notable scholarships or aid for international students:
| University | English Proficiency Waiver Policy | Scholarships / Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Drexel University (Pennsylvania) | Accepts MOI or alternative exams (Duolingo, PTE) instead of IELTS/TOEFL. Also offers conditional ESL bridge programs if you don’t meet the English requirement. Applicable to UG and PG admissions. | Global Scholar merit scholarship covers full tuition for exceptional international undergrads (very competitive). Automatic A.J. Drexel Scholarships for admitted students provide partial tuition awards. Graduate assistantships and fellowships available in many programs for Master’s/PhD. |
| University of Dayton (Ohio) | Accepts MOI letters or exams like Duolingo/PTE in lieu of IELTS. If no test, offers conditional admission – students complete UD’s Intensive English Program before starting degree. Waiver mainly for UG; grad programs may require MOI from an English-speaking country. | Merit scholarships up to $33,000/year are available to international undergraduates, awarded automatically based on academics. (No separate IELTS needed for scholarship.) Graduate students can compete for graduate assistantships or tuition scholarships in their departments. |
| Rice University (Texas) | High-ranking private university. IELTS/TOEFL exemption possible if previous degree was taught in English (department may grant waiver). For undergrad admissions, completing 2+ years in an English-medium curriculum can waive the test. | Generous funding: While undergrad merit scholarships are limited, Rice meets full demonstrated financial need for admitted international students with grants (no loans). At the graduate/PhD level, 90%+ of doctoral students receive full funding packages (tuition waiver + stipend) – you can essentially earn a PhD while getting paid ~$36,000/year in stipends. |
| National Louis University (Illinois) | Accepts MOI for admission; also accepts TOEFL, PTE, or Duolingo as alternatives. This private university is flexible with English proof for UG and graduate applicants. | Scholarships: Offers various institutional scholarships. For example, merit awards and need-based grants are available (amounts vary). While not full-ride, these can offset tuition. Graduate students may seek assistantships within departments. (Tuition ~$28k/year). |
| Pacific University Oregon (Oregon) | MOI-friendly: accepts students without IELTS if prior education was in English (also considers TOEFL/PTE). Check program-specific requirements for graduate programs. | Financial aid: As a private university, Pacific U offers merit scholarships to international undergrads (amount based on GPA). No IELTS needed for consideration if admitted via MOI. Graduate assistantships or work-study may be available in some programs. (Tuition ~$50k/year – scholarships help reduce this.) |
| Westcliff University (California) | No IELTS needed – accepts various other proofs of English. Primarily caters to business/tech programs and often waives language tests if you completed prior studies in English. | Scholarships: Westcliff offers performance-based scholarships (e.g. academic excellence awards). These can be combined with an IELTS waiver. Given moderate tuition (~$26k/year), even partial awards help. Graduate students can inquire about any teaching or research assistant roles. |
Public Universities Waiving IELTS or Offering Conditional Admission (with Funding)
Several public universities across the U.S. allow you to apply without IELTS by using MOI or other conditions. They also tend to have lower tuition and provide opportunities for assistantships or scholarships:
| University | English Waiver Policy | Scholarships / Assistantships |
|---|---|---|
| University of Colorado Boulder (Colorado) | Waives IELTS/TOEFL if you completed 2+ years in an English-speaking country or an English-medium institution. Also accepts internal testing or Duolingo as alternatives. Applies to UG and grad admissions. | Limited merit scholarships for international undergrads are available (competitive). Graduate students benefit from research/teaching assistantships which cover tuition and provide stipends. Many departments at this R1 university offer grants, fellowships, and RA/TA positions to qualified MS/PhD students. |
| California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) (California) | MOI accepted: CSU LA will exempt you from TOEFL/IELTS if your secondary or previous education was in English. Also accepts PTE Academic or Duolingo instead of IELTS. (Many other CSU campuses have similar policies.) | Affordable tuition is a key benefit of CSUs. CSULA’s international tuition is relatively low, and they offer some need-based and merit scholarships for undergrads (though smaller amounts). Graduate students can pursue assistantships or on-campus jobs for financial support. Overall, costs are lower, making it easier to combine an IELTS waiver with external scholarships or personal funding. |
| University of New Orleans (UNO) (Louisiana) | No mandatory IELTS – offers conditional admission via its Intensive English Language Program (IELP) for those without TOEFL/IELTS. If you don’t meet the English requirement, you can first complete English training at UNO then join the degree program. (Undergrad applicants from certain countries or U.S. curricula get automatic waivers.) | International scholarships: UNO provides small awards like the International Tuition Award (up to $2,000/year for 3.0+ GPA) and International Book Award (~$1,000) for incoming international undergrads. These can be earned without IELTS, though SAT/ACT scores are required for consideration in some cases. For graduate students, UNO recommends contacting departments for graduate assistantships or scholarships (many MS/PhD students secure assistantships that cover tuition). |
| University of Iowa (Iowa) | IELTS/TOEFL not strictly required – Iowa will admit students who don’t submit scores on the condition they undergo an on-campus English Proficiency Evaluation (EPE) upon arrival. Essentially, you can prove your English after admission. (They also accept Duolingo as an alternative test.) | Funding: The University of Iowa offers limited merit scholarships to international freshmen (automatically considered). For graduate and PhD students, Iowa provides various assistantships, fellowships, and grants via departments. Many PhD students receive a tuition waiver and stipend by working as teaching or research assistants. Bottom line: you can both skip IELTS and obtain funding if your academic profile is strong. |
| University of Kansas (KU) (Kansas) | MOI-friendly: KU may waive English tests if you present an MOI from a recognized English-medium institution (check with admissions). They also accept Duolingo/PTE widely. Some programs offer Applied English Center pathway if English needs improvement. | Generous scholarships: KU offers renewable merit scholarships for international undergrads ranging from $8,000 to $16,000 per year. Top incoming students can even receive the International Excellence Award (full tuition, ~$25,000/year). These scholarships don’t require IELTS as long as you meet the alternative criteria. Graduate students can avail themselves of teaching/research assistantships, especially in STEM and business fields, often covering full tuition and a stipend. |
| University of Arkansas (Arkansas) | No IELTS needed for admission. UA offers conditional admission – eligible students who meet academic requirements except English are admitted and must complete the university’s Intensive English Program (IELP) first. They also accept other tests like PTE, iTEP, or even SAT/ACT English sub-scores instead of IELTS. | Scholarships & waivers: The University of Arkansas has numerous scholarships open to internationals. Notably, the New Arkansan Non-Resident Tuition Award can significantly reduce out-of-state tuition (by 50–90%) for high-GPA students (including international). They also offer merit scholarships through the Academic Scholarship Office and various colleges. Graduate students often receive assistantships; for example, many MS/PhD students get tuition waivers + stipends through teaching or research roles. |
| University of Delaware (Delaware) | Flexible English requirement: UD may waive TOEFL/IELTS for students from English-medium schools or those who qualify for certain graduate programs. Otherwise, conditional admission is offered via the English Language Institute’s CAP program – you take intensive English and transition to full admission after meeting the proficiency criteria. | Funding opportunities: International freshmen at UD can earn partial merit scholarships (based on academics, awarded during admission). Though UD doesn’t commonly give full scholarships to internationals, any IELTS waiver won’t hinder your scholarship eligibility. At the graduate level, UD being a research university means most PhD students receive assistantships or fellowships that cover tuition and provide living stipends. Many Master’s students also find funding through their departments. |
| State University of New York (SUNY) – e.g. SUNY Albany, Buffalo | Intensive English pathway: The SUNY system welcomes MOI students with conditional admission. For instance, SUNY offers an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) for those without IELTS/TOEFL – you improve your English then fully join academics. Many SUNY campuses also accept Duolingo, Cambridge English, or iTEP scores as alternatives. | Lower tuition & aid: SUNY campuses have relatively affordable tuition for internationals. Some SUNYs (like University at Buffalo, Stony Brook) offer international student scholarships (partial awards ~$2,000–$5,000). Additionally, research-heavy SUNYs provide graduate assistantships to many students – a SUNY IELTS waiver combined with a TA/RA position can make your education very cost-effective. Always check the specific SUNY campus for available scholarships. |
Scholarships and Assistantships for IELTS-Waiver Universities
Opting to study in the USA without IELTS doesn’t mean you miss out on funding – you can still tap into numerous scholarships, fellowships, and graduate assistantships. Here’s how you can combine language waivers with financial aid:
-
University Merit Scholarships: Many universities that accept MOI or waive IELTS offer merit-based scholarships to international students. For example, University of Kansas awards up to $16,000/year for strong international undergraduates, and even a full-tuition award for top applicants. Similarly, Drexel University’s Global Scholar program (full tuition) and the University of Dayton’s $30,000+ merit awards are open to students who meet academic criteria – these do not require an IELTS score as long as you’ve satisfied the English requirement via a waiver or alternate test. Always check if an SAT/ACT is needed for scholarship consideration; for instance, UNO requires SAT/ACT for internationals to be eligible for its scholarships.
-
Need-Based and External Scholarships: Some U.S. institutions extend need-based aid to international students. Rice University is notable for meeting 100% of demonstrated need for admitted international undergrads with grant aid, which can function like a full scholarship – using a waiver doesn’t affect this. Additionally, consider external scholarships that don’t insist on IELTS. Prestigious programs like the Fulbright Scholarship don’t require an IELTS score outright (selection is based on other criteria, and English proficiency can be proven through interviews or alternate means). The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship and others also allow proof of English proficiency other than IELTS. Even university-specific awards like American University’s Emerging Global Leader Scholarship and Clark University’s merit scholarships are accessible without IELTS, provided you meet their alternative English requirements or MOI policy.
-
Graduate Assistantships (TA/RA positions): For Master’s and PhD aspirants, assistantships are a key funding route. The great news is that most universities that waive IELTS still offer assistantships to qualified grad students. You might need to demonstrate spoken English ability (some schools require a brief interview or a Duolingo test for TA eligibility), but an IELTS exam is usually not mandatory. Research universities (R1) like Colorado Boulder, Iowa, Rice, Delaware, Kansas, etc., fund many of their graduate students. As noted, Rice funds virtually all PhD students with full tuition waivers and ~$36k stipends. The University of Colorado and others similarly confirm that academic departments provide fellowships, research and teaching assistantships to international grad students based on merit. This means you can get your English requirement waived via MOI and still receive a full funding package (tuition + stipend) to pursue a PhD or research-based master’s.
-
Combining Pathway Programs with Scholarships: If you enroll in an Intensive English Program (IELP) or pathway (conditional admission), ask about scholarship deferral or eligibility. Some universities will allow any merit scholarship you earned to kick in after you complete the English program. For example, if University of Arkansas offers you a tuition scholarship, you might start using it once you begin the academic program (after IELTS waiver conditions are met). Always communicate with the admissions and financial aid office in such cases.
Finally, remember to plan your finances early. Tuition fees in the USA, even with waivers, can be substantial, so explore all funding avenues: university scholarships, external scholarships, loans, and part-time work. Many of the universities above have work-study or campus employment that you can do alongside studies (20 hours/week on an F-1 visa) to help with living costs. For instance, research labs or libraries often hire graduate assistants – improving your English in an academic environment while earning money.
Conclusion
Studying in the USA without IELTS in 2026/2027 is not only possible – it’s becoming increasingly common as universities recognize English-medium education and other tests. By targeting USA universities without IELTS requirements or those that accept MOI letters, you can save time and money on language exams. Even more importantly, you can combine these opportunities with scholarships in the USA for international students (2026) and graduate assistantships to make your American education affordable. From MOI-accepting universities like Drexel, Dayton, and Rice to public schools like Colorado Boulder, UNO, and Kansas that offer conditional pathways and funding, you have a wide range of options.
Before you apply, double-check each university’s latest English proficiency policy and scholarship deadlines (many fall around December 2025 – May 2026 for Fall 2026 intake). Prepare your Medium of Instruction certificate early, and gather proof of academics to compete for scholarships. With the right strategy, you can study in the USA without IELTS and still secure a top education and financial support. Good luck with your applications for 2026/27!
