Are you wondering which universities in the USA accept the Duolingo English Test for 2025 admissions? You don’t need to worry, you’re in the right place. Students become confused when selecting the right test because there are different English test options.

The good news is that Duolingo has become a trusted option for international students because it’s affordable, flexible, and can be taken online from home. Many top universities in the USA accept the Duolingo test both for Master’s and Bachelor’s.

This test streamlines the application process for students seeking a straightforward way to demonstrate their English skills. In this article, we’ll explore a list of Duolingo accepted universities in USA in detail.

Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for Masters Programs

Below is the list of Duolingo English Test accepting universities for Master’s:

University	Minimum Duolingo Score	Notes
Princeton University	125	Accepted for Ph.D. and MSE in Computer Science. Check specific departments, as not all accept Duolingo.
Rice University	115	Some programs may ask for a higher score. Always confirm with your department.
Dartmouth College	135	Required for Guarini School graduate programs.
Vanderbilt University	130	Accepted for most graduate programs. Some departments may not accept Duolingo.
University of Notre Dame	120	Required for graduate programs.
Carnegie Mellon University	105–120	Varies by program: 105 for Chemistry, 120 for others.
New York University (NYU)	125	Required for Tandon School of Engineering. Not all programs accept Duolingo.
UC Santa Barbara	115	Minimum score needed for graduate admission.
University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign	115	Accepted for admission, but not valid for teaching assistantship.
University of Washington	105 (min), 125+ (recommended)	At least 105 is required; 125 or more is preferred.
The Ohio State University	120	Graduate admissions requirements.
Purdue University	110	Required for graduate admissions.
Lehigh University	110	Graduate admissions requirements.
University of Rochester	120	Duolingo accepted.
Northeastern University	105	Duolingo accepted.
Harvard University	120	Accepted for master’s programs at Harvard Medical School.
Yale University	120	Most strong applicants have 120 or above.
University of Wisconsin–Madison	120	Accepted for graduate programs from Spring 2025.
University of Maryland	120	Scores 115–119 may need to join the English Bridge Program.
Wichita State University	115	General requirement; MBA needs 125.

Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for Undergraduate Programs

Do you want to take admission for undergraduate programs in the USA and are looking for Duolingo test universities? Below is the list Duolingo accepted universities in USA for undergraduate programs.

University	Minimum Duolingo Score	Notes
MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)	120	Accepted for undergraduate admissions.
Stanford University	Not specified	Duolingo accepted, but no fixed minimum score.
Yale University	120	Strong applicants usually score 120 or above.
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)	130	You must select Penn as a score recipient when registering.
Caltech (California Institute of Technology)	120	Accepted for undergraduate admissions.
Duke University	130	Recommended minimum score.
Brown University	130	Most applicants are expected to have this score.
Johns Hopkins University	120	Preferred sub-scores: Literacy 125, Conversation 120, Comprehension 135, Production 105.
Northwestern University	105	Duolingo accepted for admission.
Columbia University (NYC)	135	Minimum score required.
Cornell University	130	Minimum score for admissions consideration.
University of Chicago	Not specified	Duolingo accepted, but no fixed minimum score.
UC Berkeley	115	Minimum score needed for admission.
UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles)	130	A competitive score for admission.
Rice University	115	Minimum score required for admission.

The minimum score for the Duolingo test depends on the university and course that you selected. On average, most top universities in USA require a score between 100 and 120.

If you’re looking for highly ranked universities and professional courses like MBA, MS in Data Science, Finance, or Civil Engineering, you’ll usually need a score above 120.

If your score is between 80 and 100, don’t worry, you still have good university options.  However, your options may be more limited, and the courses might be less competitive.

USA Universities Accepting Duolingo (90–100 Score) 2025

If your Duolingo test score is between 90 and 100, you can still apply to some universities in the USA. While top universities may ask for a higher score, several universities accept 90+ for direct or conditional admission. To make chances stronger, you should have a 2.5 or above CGPA, a clear statement of purpose, and a strong recommendation letter.

University	Minimum DET Score
Temple University	90–95 (CAP eligible)
Indiana University Indianapolis	90
University of New Orleans	100
University of Texas of the Permian Basin	100
Stephen F. Austin State University	100

Tips to Reach Your Target Duolingo Score

The Duolingo test is easier than other tests. But you need good preparation for a higher score on the exam. You should start preparing one month before the exam. This is enough time to practise. Here are some tips and tricks that you should follow for a good score.

First, familiarize yourself with the test pattern. You should practice for the test to understand the format and get a clear idea of your performance level.

Use the Duolingo app too, and utilize its features, such as discussion forums, progress tracking, and study recommendations, which can make your learning process smoother.

To improve more quickly, consider adding extra resources such as textbooks, podcasts, and online courses. And don’t forget to focus on the basics of the language first; building a strong foundation will make everything else much easier.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dolingo is a more accessible and affordable option compared to other tests, such as IELTS and PTE. You can take the test online from anywhere and get results quickly in only 48 hours. With its growing acceptance in U.S. universities, Duolingo offers a straightforward, flexible, and user-friendly approach to meeting English requirements. The above list of Duolingo accepted universities in USA will help to select the right one according to your score and previous education grades.