Top USA Universities Accepting Duolingo English Test: Guide for Applicants

Introduction

The Duolingo English Test is also becoming an essential choice for international students who aim to study in the United States. More than 4,900 U.S. academic programs will accept DET by 2025, which comprises universities well reputed worldwide. 
It also entails adaptivity, which means questions are made up of different levels of difficulty, depending on the test-taker's performance. This, therefore, provides a more individualized assessment of language skills that is followed by crucial examination in listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The results are usually available within 48 hours, making it one of the quick options for students who need to prove their proficiency in English. The Duolingo English Test gives an easy and efficient way for international students to show their proficiency in using the English language, primarily intended for those who are open to studying in the USA.

Its acceptance with universities, affordability, and innovative testing methods give it a strong alternative place to traditional language tests. Students should check specific university requirements and consider the DET as part of their application strategy.

Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for 2025 Intake: Score of 120 & Above

As of 2025,Duolingo English Test has begun to get more recognition in universities across the USA, offering international applicants flexibility and access to test. A key reason why the use of the Duolingo English Test will be favored is because of easy access that will also prove less expensive as opposed to the application of traditional types like TOEFL and IELTS.

Some of the top universities that accept a DET score of 120 and above are:

Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for 2025 Intake: Score 100 – 115

As of 2025, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has gained significant traction among universities in the USA, providing a flexible and accessible option for international students aiming to study in the USA.

Northeastern University (Minimum Duolingo score: 105)

• Welcomes the students with a minimum Duolingo score of 105.
• Offers cutting-edge research facilities with top faculty members
• Graduates can access networking events and job placement opportunities in Boston’s thriving industries.

University of California, Berkeley (Minimum Duolingo score: 115)

• Globally recognised for its academic rigour and commitment to excellence in education across various disciplines.
• Offers diverse and inclusive campus community 
• Since the campus is located in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, it grants you access to internships, networking, and startup opportunities.

University of Washington (Minimum Duolingo Score: 105)

• UW is committed to fostering a global mindset and offers a diverse and inclusive campus community
• UW offers students exceptional opportunities to engage in groundbreaking research and contribute to advancements in various fields

University of Chicago (Minimum Duolingo Score: 105)

• UChicago encourages students to explore diverse academic disciplines and discover connections between fields
• Situated in the city of Chicago, the university provides access to a thriving cultural scene and connections with industry leaders

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Duolingo 90 Score Accepted Universities in USA for 2025 Intake

As of 2025, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has gained significant traction among universities in the USA, making it a viable option for international students looking to study in the USA. With over 4,900 academic programs accepting the test, as well as a number of world-class institutions accepting the test.

Universities Accepting Duolingo Scores

As one can see, every institution has different minimum requirements on the Duolingo test. Some are satisfied with 90 points, others require 100 or even 120 with very competitive programs. Such flexibility ensures that students of different levels of proficiency could apply to various programs and, therefore increase the chances of being admitted.

Popular Programs and Trends

Specifically, the DET has indicated a particular increase in test-takers from countries such as India, where students are increasingly applying for graduate degrees in such programs as business and computer science and engineering. In 2023 alone, Indian students applied to programs in over 83 countries and increased by 9 percent compared to the previous year. Evidently, this trend underscores growth in interest for international education and confirms that readily accessible testing options are of optimum importance.

Advantages of the Duolingo Test

The Duolingo English Test is extremely convenient and economical. It compares very favorably to traditional tests and is much more cost-effective, automatically making it an even more desirable option for most students. Additionally, the test scores yield within 48 hours, which is a great turnaround for students who want to close applications as quickly as possible without excessive waiting time.

Preparing for the Duolingo Test

Preparing for the Duolingo test requires knowledge of the test format, practice and engagement with the most advanced resources available in English: news articles and podcasts. This adaptive test changes the difficulty of its questions based on your performance; it is more unique and personal.

Read More: Study in the USA: Essential Information and Advice

Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for MS Programs in 2025

The Duolingo English Test (DET) has gained significant traction among universities in the USA, making it a viable option for international students looking to study in the USA. 

University of Southern California

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

This university has quality engineering and computer science programs. The University of Illinois accepts the Duolingo English Test. In competitive programs at the university, candidates are required to have a minimum score of 120. This ensures the students have an acceptable level of proficiency in language.

Northeastern University

Northeastern University - Northeastern also offers a co-op program. However, an acceptance score to Duolingo of a minimum of 90 is accepted. This means that a higher number of students and even those from non-English speaking countries, can seek admission.

University of California, Berkeley

UC Berkeley is one of the premier public universities in the USA and accepts the Duolingo English Test for admission into graduate school. In most cases, the minimum required for entry into the institution is 120, ensuring the excellent performance at this university.

University of Washington

Another leading university is the University of Washington. As the University of Washington also accepts the Duolingo English Test, international students will be able to show off their proficiency in English skills effectively at this university as well. Minimum accepted scores are 100.

Duolingo Acceptance Beyond the USA: A Global Perspective

The Duolingo English Test, in recent years, has quickly gained acceptance beyond the USA, and this is no doubt a worldwide movement in how language proficiency is assessed for academic purposes. For most international students, atta Duolingo has partnered with organizations such as the UNHCR to increase access of refugee students to higher education, which has targeted to upraise from 10% of refugee students in higher education to 15% by 2030. The emphasis on this shows an equality of opportunities for all students.ining an ideal score in the Duolingo English Test requires a significant effort.

1. Take the Duolingo English Test again

The most obvious choice should be a retake of the Duolingo English Test. The DET offers no limit to retaking, with which you can up your score. Your scores are valid for two years, on average, and you can plan when to retake in consideration of your application deadlines.

2. Other Language Proficiency Tests

If retaking the DET still does not sound alluring, then you may want to consider another language proficiency test, namely, IELTS or TOEFL. IELTS and TOEFL are just as validly recognized by the universities of the USA, and they might score differently that could possibly work in your favor.

3. Seek out Universities with Lax Requirements

Nowadays, many US universities welcome the Duolingo English Test as a valid proof of English proficiency. As of 2025, over 4,900 academic programs recognized the DET and appear to contribute to the trend of more accessible language assessments.

4. Participate in Language Improvement Activities

While you are preparing for the next test or making alternative plans, take time out to participate in activities that may heighten your English proficiency. Practice continuously through reading, writing, and conversation.

Tips to Achieve Your Desired Duolingo Score

Achieving your desired Duolingo English Test (DET) score is crucial for international students aiming to study in the USA. Here are some essential tips to help you reach your target score:

1. Understand the Test Format: Familiarize yourself with how the Duolingo English Test works. The test is adaptive, meaning it gets more and more challenging the better you are doing on the test, and less challenging when you're not. It actually assesses four skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
2. Expand your lexicon: good vocabulary is the most basic requirement in the use of DET. This can be further expanded with practice using news articles, podcasts, videos in the English language, and so on. These help broaden your vocabulary and overall comprehension. You will be better equipped to sit for the test when you familiarize yourself with high-level English material.
3. Practice Listening and Speaking: DET includes listening and speaking. One can obtain free online facilities to listen and practice speaking. Practical exercises can be acquired by holding conversations with native speakers or through language exchange.
4. Regular writing exercise: Write essays or essays to given prompts within a time frame. The more you write, the quicker you will become at pacing your time when writing the real test.
5. Use Online Practice Tests: Sitting for practice tests helps you prepare for the speed and the tension of the actual test. There are several free services offering practice tests that closely resemble the DET experience. Besides confidence, you will get to know where you have to slog harder.
6. Set responsible and achievable goals: Understand what the score requirements are for the universities one is interested in. While some accept scores as low as 90, others require scores of 120 and above. Research specific university requirements to ensure that you are preparing appropriately.

Conclusion

Preparing for your study experience in the United States is significantly more productive by embracing the Duolingo English Test. The DET has been accepted by over 4,900 programs around the US and the vast majority of the world's leading universities, and it continues to grow in popularity among those who are looking to complete their college degrees from their home country on a foreign campus. The Duolingo English Test is strategically becoming the choice for anyone looking at enrolling in any program in the USA since increasing acceptance by universities, coupled with affordability and innovative methods of testing, makes it an ideal option for international students.

For additional help, check out our study abroad consultancy services and the many options available to students who want to study in the UK, study in Canada, study in Australia, study in Ireland, and many other countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Duolingo English Test?

The Duolingo English Test is a newly developed test that tests reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. It's been accepted by more than 4,900 institutions in the USA so it's a proper way in which students can prove their proficiency in the English language.

2. How to pass the score for universities?

Score requirements are very different between the various institutions. While many universities accept a score as low as 90, scores of 120 or more are competitive. This allows a far greater number of students to apply to the programs they would like.

3. How long will it take before I get my results?

Another advantage of the Duolingo test is that the results are returned quickly. In most cases, scores can be returned to the test-taker within 48 hours, which is much faster than most other English proficiency tests.