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List of Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for 2025 Intake

Planning to study in the USA for 2025 intake but don’t know what your options are when it comes to choosing Duolingo accepted universities in USA? Don’t worry, there are over 3,100 U.S. universities which now accepts Duolingo scores like Harvard, Yale, and UC Berkeley etc.

Being a fast, affordable, and flexible alternative to TOEFL and IELTS, Duolingo is changing the game for international students. It is not only widely accepted, but is also easy to take online and can even open doors to scholarship opportunities. In this blog, you will find a detailed list of Duolingo accepted universities in USA for masters and UG programs along with tips to help you ace the test!

Discover the list of Duolingo accepted universities in the USA in 2025 with Gradding.com

Table of Contents

Why Take Duolingo Exam?

Before we talk about Duolingo accepted universities in USA, let’s clarify why you should take the Duolingo exam as it is a common concern among many test takers.

The Duolingo English Test is a standardized English proficiency test which is widely accepted by universities all around the world, especially because giving DET is not only convenient but is also cost-effective. Below are a few reasons why you should take Duolingo in 2025!

  1. Acceptance by Institutions: The first and primary reason why you should take Duolingo is because it is widely accepted by over 5,000 universities all around the world. Many of these universities are located in global education hubs like the US, USA, Canada, UK, and Europe.
  2. Cost-Effectiveness: The Duolingo English Test costs INR 6,000 (USD 70) which is highly affordable and cost-effective as compared to other traditional tests like IELTS or TOEFL. In addition to this, you can also share your results with an unlimited number of US universities at no extra cost.
  3. Accessibility and Convenience: Another major reason why you should take DTE is because it is really accessible and convenient as you can easily take it only from your computer and schedule it at your convenience, with results being available within 2 days.
  4. Focus on Real-World English: Lastly, Duolingo is majorly focused on real-world English which allows you to showcase your English proficiency more naturally.

Top Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for Masters

As an international student, you can choose from a wide range of Duolingo accepted universities in USA for masters which you can find below.

However, do keep in mind that while these universities might accept Duolingo scores, their specific course requirement may vary, so make sure that you check the specific requirements of the university and program you're applying to.

UniversityMinimum Duolingo ScoreTop Master's Programs
Harvard University125Public Policy, Education, Law, Data Science
Yale University120Environmental Management, Global Affairs, Public Health
Stanford University130Artificial Intelligence, Design, Bioengineering
Princeton University125Economics, Public Affairs, Physics
Columbia University120Journalism, International Affairs, Public Health
University of Chicago125Economics, Social Sciences, Data Analytics
New York University (NYU)125Fine Arts, Finance, Psychology
University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley)115Sustainability Studies, Statistics, Urban Planning
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)115Film & Television, Public Health, Architecture
University of Washington105Information Science, Public Health, Marine Affairs
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign120Civil Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Library & Info Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison120Education, Political Science, Environmental Science
University of Maryland120Cybersecurity, Public Policy, Journalism
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor105Social Work, Urban Planning, Data Science
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)105Oceanography, Neurosciences, International Relations
University of California, Irvine (UCI)115Public Health, Software Engineering, Criminology

List of Top Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for UG Programs

Below is a list of top Duolingo accepted universities in USA that are opening doors to international students for their UG programs. In addition to this, we have also listed the minimum Duolingo score for USA colleges and universities.

UniversityMinimum Duolingo ScoreTop UG Programs
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)120–125Engineering, Computer Science, Physics
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)120–130Physics, Biology, Engineering
Duke University125Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, Economics
North-western University115–120Journalism, Communication, Engineering
Carnegie Mellon University135Computer Science, Arts, Robotics
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)105–120Film & Television, Psychology, Anthropology
University of Southern California (USC)120Cinematic Arts, Business, Architecture
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC)120Engineering, Business, Computer Science
University of Wisconsin-Madison115–120Engineering, Business, Computer Science
University of Maryland115–120Engineering, Business, Computer Science
University of Washington105–110Informatics, Public Health, Environmental Science
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor105–110Sociology, Music Performance, Cognitive Science
University of California, San Diego (UCSD)105–115Neuroscience, International Studies, Marine Biology
University of California, Irvine (UCI)115Psychology, Public Health, Literary Journalism
University of Southern California (USC)120Cinematic Arts, Business, Architecture
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)120–125Engineering, Computer Science, Physics
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)120–130Physics, Biology, Engineering
Duke University125Public Policy, Biomedical Engineering, Economics
Northwestern University115–120Journalism, Communication, Engineering

Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for 90-100 Score

Below is a list of Duolingo 90 score accepted universities in USA along with their minimum score requirements and some of their top programs:

University NameMinimum Duolingo ScoreTop Courses
Arizona State University95Sustainability, Journalism, Psychology
University of West Florida95Marine Biology, Criminology, Graphic Design
California State University System95Hospitality Management, Kinesiology, Social Work
San Jose State University95Animation, Environmental Science, Public Health
University of Alabama100Forensic Science, Music, Civil Rights Studies
Iowa State University100Veterinary Medicine, Architecture, Ecology
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth95Textile Engineering, Marine Science, Marketing
Illinois Institute of Technology95–109Data Science, Cybersecurity, Industrial Design
University of Alabama at Birmingham90Biomedical Sciences, Sociology, Public Administration
University of Idaho95Forestry, Political Science, Food Science
University of South Florida90Digital Media, Urban Planning, Anthropology
University of Mississippi90Hospitality, Journalism, Environmental Studies
University of Utah90Film & Media Arts, Chemistry, Linguistics
Texas Tech University90Agricultural Economics, Public Relations, Psychology
Arkansas State University90Theatre, Criminal Justice, Nutrition

These are just a few of the top Duolingo 90 score accepted universities in USA that will give you a broader idea of options that are available to you beyond the usual Engineering, Business, and Health Sciences.

Universities in the USA that accept 100-110 Duolingo Scores

There are some top Duolingo 100 score accepted universities in USA which have moderate to high academic standards that you will find in the list below.

However, even though there are some great 100- 105 Duolingo accepted universities in USA, it is better to check the specific requirements of each university you are interested in as there might be different score requirements for different courses.

University NameMinimum Duolingo ScoreTop Courses
University of Miami110Marine Science, Business Administration, Music Performance
University of Connecticut110Pharmacy, Actuarial Science, Engineering
University of Maryland, College Park110Computer Science, Engineering, Public Policy
Temple University110Business, Law, Media & Communication
Northeastern University105Computer Science, Co-op Business Programs, Engineering
Oregon State University110Forestry, Agricultural Sciences, Computer Science
University of Denver110International Studies, Law, Business Analytics
University of New Hampshire110Environmental Science, Zoology, Business
University of South Florida110Public Health, Engineering, Business Administration
University of Texas at Dallas110Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Business
Pepperdine University110Business, Psychology, Communication
Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT)110Computer Science, Graphic Design, Engineering Technology
Clark University110Psychology, Geography, International Development
University of San Francisco110Nursing, Business, International Relations
University of Tulsa110Petroleum Engineering, Law, Cybersecurity

Now that we know about Duolingo 100 score accepted universities in USA, let’s check out the ones that accept 110-120 DET scores.

Duolingo 110-120 Score Accepted Universities in USA

Having a 110-120 score is a great starting point to get admission into top Duolingo accepted universities in USA, especially in the STEM field. Below is a list of top-ranked colleges along with their most popular programs.

University NameMinimum Duolingo Score RequiredTop Courses
UC Berkeley115Political Science, Data Science, Environmental Economics
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign110Architecture, Psychology, Agricultural & Consumer Economics
University of Southern California (USC)120Law, Communication, Music Industry
University of Colorado Boulder110Astrophysical & Planetary Sciences, Journalism, Geography
University of Miami120Music Performance, Sports Administration, Film Studies
University of Florida110Digital Arts & Sciences, Education, Zoology
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill110Political Science, Biology, Dramatic Art
University of Pittsburgh125Philosophy, Neuroscience, Rehabilitation Science
University of South Florida110Aging Studies, Criminology, Public Administration
University of Texas at Dallas110Bioinformatics, Arts & Technology, Cognitive Science
University of Tulsa110Petroleum Engineering, Cybersecurity, Energy Management
University of Dayton110Entrepreneurship, Mechanical Engineering Tech, Religious Studies
University of San Diego110Peace & Justice Studies, Real Estate, International Relations
University of San Francisco110Public Health, Environmental Studies, Finance
University of South Carolina110Hospitality Management, Criminology, Sport & Entertainment Management

Above 120 Duolingo Score Accepted Universities in USA

Lastly, a 120 Duolingo score for USA university and college is considered ideal as it can help demonstrate a strong level of English proficiency which can help you succeed in academic coursework and communicate effectively.

University NameMinimum Duolingo ScoreTop Courses
Carnegie Mellon University125Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Business Analytics
Northwestern University125Journalism, Theatre, Engineering
Rice University125Materials Science, Environmental Science, Business
University of Notre Dame125Architecture, Theology, Science
University of Rochester125Optics, Music, Economics
Vanderbilt University125Education, Medicine, Nursing
Washington University in St. Louis125Social Work, Engineering, Law
Emory University125Public Health, Law, Theology
Georgetown University125International Relations, Political Science, Business
Boston College125Philosophy, Business, Biology
University of Miami125Marine Science, Architecture, Communications
University of Virginia125Law, Commerce, Engineering
Tufts University125International Relations, Biomedical Sciences, Engineering
Wake Forest University125Medicine, Business, Law
University of California, Santa Cruz120Marine Biology, Digital Arts, Earth Sciences

Duolingo Score for Student Visa in USA

Even though the USA student visa process does not require a particular English proficiency test, during the visa process, you do need to show that you meet the required English proficiency of your chosen university.

Generally, 120 or above is considered a good Duolingo score for USA as it meets the proficiency of many universities in the USA. However, you do have to keep in mind that the criteria of each of these universities vary and some of them even accept scores lower than 100.

Additionally, you should keep these two points in mind while setting an aim for a Duolingo score for a student visa in the USA:

  • For many universities in the US, a Duolingo score of 105 is often considered a minimum.
  • If you are planning to go to a top-ranked university, then a DET score of 120 or higher is considered better as it helps in demonstrating advanced English proficiency.

Tips to Achieve Your Desired Duolingo Score?

Now let’s talk about how to achieve your desired score in order to get into your preferred Duolingo accepted universities in USA. Even though Duolingo is easier as compared to other traditional English proficiency tests, acing it still requires a good amount of preparation and strategy.

Below, we have mentioned some top tips that can not only help you prepare for Duolingo but even improve your overall score.

  1. Understand the Test: The primary and most important one is to understand the format of the test. In the DET, you will get different types of questions like MCQs, speaking prompts, and writing tasks, understanding this will help you know what you can expect on the test day.
  2. Build Vocabulary and Grammar: Since DET is an English proficiency test, having a wide range of vocabulary and grammar can improve your marks significantly, especially in lexical resources. To do this, you can start by reading English books, watching English shows, newspapers, and magazines, and using online resources.
  3. Improve Production Sub Score: In the DET, the production sub-score is used to measure your ability to speak and write and is one of the four main sub-scores. You can improve these by focusing on enhancing your writing and speaking skills through practice.
  4. Utilize Resources and Simulate Test Conditions: Lastly, make sure that during your practice tests, you use Duolingo's official practice tests and sample questions and simulate real test conditions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are some amazing Duolingo accepted universities in USA which offer convenient and accessible admission options, especially for international students. Whether you're aiming for undergraduate or master's programs, the Duolingo English Test is a smart, accessible, and budget-friendly option which offers flexibility without compromising credibility.

However, if you are struggling with the fast-paced format of DET, then you can connect with our experts at Gradding.com who will provide targeted practice, vocabulary building, and strategies to improve speaking and writing fluency.

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FAQ’s

1. What is a Good Duolingo Score for the USA?

A good score to study in the USA is generally around 105-120, but this depends more on the university and program you choose and wish to pursue. If you plan to go to top-tier institutes in the US then a good Duolingo score can be above 120, whereas other institutes accept scores in the 95-105 range.

2. Is Duolingo Accepted for the USA Visa?

Yes, Duolingo is accepted for the USA student visa as long as the university you are applying to accepts it. However, the US visa application process does not require an English proficiency test like the DET.

3. Which is Better Duolingo or IELTS?

The answer to which is better Duolingo or IELTS, depends on your goal and purpose. If your goal is university admission, cost or convenience then Duolingo is a better choice. However, for visa applications and professional purposes, IELTS is a better and safer option.

4. How Can I Find Out If a Specific University Accepts the Duolingo English Test?

To find out if the university you wish to pursue your higher education in accepts Duolingo or not then you can visit the official university admissions website and look under “English language requirements.” Additionally, you can also use the Duolingo website’s university list to search for schools that accept the test.

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