The TOEFL is scored on a 0–120 scale, but the score that matters most is the one required by your specific program — not a general benchmark. Requirements vary significantly by institution type, program level, and field of study.
General Benchmarks
| Score Range | Interpretation | Typical Programs |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | Good | Most U.S./Canadian undergraduate programs, many Master's programs |
| 100–110 | Very Good | Selective graduate programs, top research universities |
| 110–120 | Excellent | Top-ranked MBA, law, medical programs; competitive fellowships |
| 80–90 | Acceptable | Some community colleges, foundation programs, ESL programs |
Graduate and Professional Programs
Graduate programs (Master's and PhD) almost universally require higher scores than undergraduate programs. Many require section minimums in addition to a total score — meaning a high total cannot compensate for a low section score.
- ·Business (MBA): Most top-20 programs expect 100+ total, with Speaking 24+ and Writing 24+.
- ·Engineering and Computer Science: Typically 90–100 total, sometimes with Speaking minimums of 20–22.
- ·Humanities and Social Sciences: 100+ is common at research universities; some require 105+.
- ·Health Sciences (Nursing, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy): Often require 83+ with no section below 20–22.
- ·Medical Schools: Many U.S. medical schools require 100+ if your degree was in a non-English country.
Teaching Assistant (TA) Requirements
If you plan to work as a Teaching Assistant at a U.S. university, you may face a separate Speaking score requirement — typically 23–26 out of 30, since you'll be communicating directly with students. Some universities administer their own oral proficiency test on top of TOEFL.
Score Validity
TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. If you took the TOEFL more than 2 years ago, most institutions will not accept your score regardless of how high it was. Plan your test date accordingly.
How to Find Your Program's Exact Requirement
- ·Check the program's admissions page directly — not just the university's general language requirements page.
- ·Email the admissions office if the website is ambiguous — many programs have unpublished section minimums.
- ·Check if the requirement is for the old format or the new 2026 format (some schools have not updated their pages).
- ·Note whether section scores matter — some programs list a total score but reject applicants with section scores below a threshold.
Strategy tip
Aim for 5–10 points above the minimum requirement of your target program. Admissions committees consider the TOEFL as evidence you can succeed academically in English — a score right at the cutoff leaves no room for doubt.