If you’re a Korean student planning to apply to a US art school, one of the first practical questions you’ll face is: what TOEFL score do I actually need? The TOEFL score art school requirement varies by institution, but understanding the specific minimums — and what those minimums actually mean in practice — is essential for planning your application timeline and preparation strategy. This post gives you the exact numbers for the top US art schools, explains what they mean, and tells you honestly what score you should actually be aiming for.
Official TOEFL Minimums at Top US Art Schools
The following are the current minimum TOEFL iBT scores required for undergraduate international applicants at the most competitive US art schools:
| School | TOEFL iBT Minimum | IELTS Minimum | Duolingo Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RISD | 93 | 7.0 | 120 |
| Parsons (The New School) | 92 | 7.0 | 115 |
| SVA (School of Visual Arts) | 80 | 6.5 | 115 |
| CalArts | No published minimum* | No published minimum* | — |
| Pratt Institute | 79 | 6.0 | — |
| SAIC | 82 | 6.5 | — |
| VCUarts | 80 | 6.5 | — |
*CalArts requires proof of English proficiency but does not publish a fixed minimum score. They reserve the right to request additional testing if English proficiency is unclear from the submitted materials.
These minimums are pass/fail thresholds. Scoring at or slightly above the minimum means your application will be considered — it does not give you a competitive advantage over applicants who score significantly higher.
IELTS and Duolingo as Alternatives
If the TOEFL is not your strongest option, most US art schools also accept IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and Duolingo English Test scores. IELTS minimums at top art schools typically range from 6.0 to 7.0. The Duolingo English Test is accepted at many schools as well, with minimums usually between 110 and 120.
For Korean students: the TOEFL remains the most widely recognized and most commonly submitted test for US art school applications. Most Korean students preparing for US college admissions are already familiar with TOEFL preparation resources, making it the practical default choice.
What Score Should You Actually Aim For?
Meeting the minimum is not the same as being competitive. Here’s the honest picture:
RISD and Parsons require 92–93. This is already a moderately high bar — well above the global TOEFL average. If your goal is RISD or Parsons, you should aim for a score of 100 or above to give yourself a comfortable margin and avoid having language proficiency become a concern in your application review.
SVA, Pratt, SAIC require 79–82. These are lower thresholds, and scoring in the mid-80s gives you solid clearance. Aim for 85 or above for these schools.
CalArts has no fixed minimum. This means your submitted score is evaluated contextually. A score below 80 may raise questions; a score of 90+ should be adequate.
The practical advice: aim for a TOEFL iBT score of 100 or above if you’re applying to RISD or Parsons, and 85 or above for other top schools. These targets give you margin for error and keep language proficiency from being a concern in your overall application.
When to Take the TOEFL
TOEFL scores can take 4–6 days to receive unofficially and up to three weeks to be sent officially to schools. Plan your testing timeline so that your scores are received by each school’s application deadline — not submitted on the day of the deadline.
Recommended TOEFL testing schedule for Korean students:
- Junior year (Grade 11), spring: First TOEFL attempt. Identify your baseline and any weak areas.
- Summer before senior year: Intensive preparation if needed. Second attempt.
- Senior year (Grade 12), September–October: Final attempt if needed. Scores must be submitted to schools by application deadlines (typically November 1 for Early Action/Decision, January for Regular Decision).
Do not leave TOEFL preparation until the fall of your senior year. Portfolio preparation, personal statement writing, and application logistics all compete for time during that period, and TOEFL preparation deserves dedicated attention earlier.
The Real Challenge: Test Scores vs. Communication Skills
Here is the most honest and important thing to understand about the TOEFL score art school connection: your TOEFL score and your actual ability to communicate in an art school environment are related but not the same thing.
Korean students who score 95 on the TOEFL but have never practiced speaking English in informal conversational settings often struggle significantly in their first critique sessions — not because they don’t understand English, but because the fast, informal, vocabulary-dense English of an art school critique is very different from TOEFL listening passages.
Conversely, students who score 88 but have actively practiced speaking English, watched English-language art content, and developed comfort expressing ideas verbally often adjust to the art school environment more easily.
The TOEFL score gets your application reviewed. What matters after that is your actual ability to participate in the language environment of the school. Both are worth investing in.
TOEFL Waivers
Some art schools offer TOEFL waivers for students who have completed their secondary education (high school) at an institution where English is the primary language of instruction. Specific conditions vary by school — RISD, for example, requires three consecutive full-time years of English-medium instruction without ESL courses.
Most Korean students attending Korean high schools do not qualify for TOEFL waivers. Students who attended international schools where all instruction was in English may qualify — check each school’s specific waiver policy directly.
A Note for Korean Students
Korea’s English education system produces students who are strong in grammar, reading comprehension, and standardized test formats. Many Korean students score well on the TOEFL with dedicated preparation. What’s often needed is not extensive TOEFL prep per se, but specifically targeted practice in the speaking and listening sections, which more closely mirror the communication demands of actual art school life.
If your TOEFL score is your weakest application component, prioritize bringing it up before your application deadline. A score below the published minimum will disqualify your application regardless of portfolio quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is TOEFL or IELTS better for US art school applications? Both are widely accepted. TOEFL iBT is the more commonly submitted test by Korean students and has strong recognition at all major US art schools. If you have a strong IELTS score and a weaker TOEFL score, check whether your target schools accept IELTS scores equally — most do.
Can I submit my TOEFL score after the application deadline? No. Your TOEFL score must be received by the school by the application deadline. Plan your testing and score submission timeline at least 4–6 weeks before the deadline to account for processing time.
What if I took the TOEFL multiple times? Can I choose which score to submit? TOEFL allows you to choose which test date scores to send. Most schools accept the highest single sitting score. Check each school’s policy on MyBest scores (a TOEFL composite option) — some schools, including SVA, explicitly do not accept MyBest scores.
Does a higher TOEFL score improve my admissions chances? Above the minimum threshold, TOEFL score is unlikely to meaningfully differentiate applicants at most art schools. Admissions decisions at portfolio-based programs are driven primarily by portfolio quality and creative strength. The TOEFL functions primarily as a pass/fail eligibility requirement.
How long is a TOEFL score valid for? TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. If you took the TOEFL more than two years before your application deadline, you will need to retake the test.
Royal Blue Art & Design is a US art school admissions
specialist based in Apgujeong, Seoul. For 19 years,
we have guided Korean students to RISD, Parsons,
CalArts, and other top US programs.