Over 3,100 colleges and universities in the USA now accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) — and that number keeps growing. For Bangladeshi students dreaming of studying in America, this is one of the most important shifts in international admissions in recent years.
Why? Because taking an English proficiency test used to mean traveling to an IELTS or TOEFL center, paying upwards of $200, and waiting weeks for results. The Duolingo English Test changes all of that: it costs $70, takes just 60 minutes, can be taken from your home in Dhaka or Sylhet, and delivers results within 48 hours — which you can then send for free to every university on your list.
In this guide, we cover the complete list of Duolingo accepted universities in USA for 2026, minimum score requirements by institution, how to submit your scores, tips for Bangladeshi applicants, and how Duolingo stacks up against IELTS and TOEFL.
What Is the Duolingo English Test (DET)?
The Duolingo English Test is an online, adaptive English proficiency exam accepted by thousands of universities worldwide as an alternative to IELTS and TOEFL. Developed by Duolingo — the world’s leading language learning platform — the test measures your real-world English skills through a combination of reading, writing, listening, and speaking tasks.
The test is fully computer-adaptive, meaning the difficulty of questions adjusts in real time based on your performance. This allows it to produce an accurate proficiency score in just 60 minutes, compared to the 3+ hour duration of IELTS and TOEFL.
You can find the official list of accepting institutions on the Duolingo English Test official website.
DET Scoring Scale Explained
The Duolingo English Test scores on a scale of 10 to 160, in 5-point increments. The score reflects your overall English proficiency and is broken into four sub-scores:
- Literacy — Reading and writing comprehension
- Comprehension — Listening and reading understanding
- Conversation — Speaking and listening interaction
- Production — Speaking and writing output
These four subscores help admissions offices understand your specific strengths and weaknesses, not just a single number.
Why Choose the Duolingo English Test in 2026?
For Bangladeshi students especially, the DET offers several decisive advantages over traditional English tests:
- Cost savings: At $70 (approx. BDT 7,700), the DET is significantly cheaper than IELTS (~$215–245 in Bangladesh) or TOEFL (~$185–300).
- No travel required: Take the test from your home — no visits to British Council, IDP, or ETS centers needed.
- Fast results: Your score is ready within 48 hours, compared to 3–13 days for IELTS.
- Free score sharing: Send results to unlimited universities at no extra charge — IELTS charges separately per institution.
- 2-year validity: Your score remains valid for two years, giving you time to apply for multiple intakes.
- Growing acceptance: Over 3,100 US universities now accept DET for 2026 — including Ivy League institutions.
Important: Always verify with the specific program or department you are applying to, as score requirements can vary within the same university.
Top Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA 2026
Below is a curated list of the top US universities accepting Duolingo English Test scores for the 2026 intake, along with their minimum score requirements. These scores are general guidelines — individual programs may require higher scores.
| University | State | Min. Duolingo Score | Program Type |
| Harvard University | Massachusetts | 125 | Graduate (select programs) |
| Yale University | Connecticut | 120 | UG & Graduate |
| Columbia University | New York | 115 | UG & Graduate |
| University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | 130 | Graduate |
| Cornell University | New York | 110 | UG & Graduate |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | Massachusetts | 120 | Graduate (some programs) |
| Stanford University | California | 120 | Graduate (select programs) |
| New York University (NYU) | New York | 125 | UG & Graduate |
| Johns Hopkins University | Maryland | 110 | Graduate |
| Northwestern University | Illinois | 105 | UG & Graduate |
| Boston University | Massachusetts | 100 | UG & Graduate |
| Northeastern University | Massachusetts | 105 | UG & Graduate |
| University of California, Berkeley | California | 115 | UG & Graduate |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | Michigan | 100 | UG & Graduate |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Illinois | 102 | UG & Graduate |
| University of Washington | Washington | 105 | UG & Graduate |
| Purdue University | Indiana | 100 | UG & Graduate |
| Arizona State University | Arizona | 95 | UG & Graduate |
| University of Utah | Utah | 100 | UG & Graduate |
| University of Maryland | Maryland | 115 | UG & Graduate |
| University of New Haven | Connecticut | 90 | UG & Graduate |
| Indiana University Bloomington | Indiana | 100 | UG & Graduate |
| University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) | California | 125 | UG & Graduate |
| University of Southern California (USC) | California | 115 | UG & Graduate |
Source: Official university admissions pages and Duolingo English Test accepted institutions list (verified February 2026). Always confirm the latest requirements directly on the university’s admissions website.
If you’re planning to study in the USA, MMS Global Services expert counsellors can help you identify and apply to top universities that match your DET score and academic credentials.
Duolingo Score Requirements: By Score Band
Not sure which score to target? Here’s a clear breakdown of which university tier you can expect to access based on your Duolingo score:
| DET Score Range | Proficiency Level | Example Universities |
| 160 | Expert / Near-Native | Harvard, Yale, Columbia (specific elite programs) |
| 130–155 | Advanced | University of Pennsylvania, NYU, UCLA, USC |
| 115–125 | Upper Advanced | MIT, Stanford, Cornell, UC Berkeley, Maryland |
| 100–110 | Upper-Intermediate | Michigan, Purdue, Northwestern, JHU, Boston University |
| 90–99 | Intermediate | Arizona State, Indiana University, University of New Haven |
| Below 90 | Basic | Community colleges, conditional admission programs |
Duolingo 90–100 Score Accepted Universities in USA
A score of 90–100 on the Duolingo English Test is considered solid for many mid-tier universities and community colleges in the USA. If this is your score range, you have real options:
- University of New Haven — Min. 90 (STEM, Business, Criminal Justice programs)
- Arizona State University — Min. 95 (Wide range of programs across multiple campuses)
- Indiana University Southeast — Min. 90 (Business, Education)
- Several community colleges — Min. 85–95 (With transfer pathways to 4-year universities)
Community colleges accepting Duolingo scores at 90+ are especially valuable for Bangladeshi students who want a more affordable entry into the US education system before transferring to a top-ranked university.
Duolingo 100–110 Score Accepted Universities in USA
This score range opens access to a wide range of strong public research universities and well-known private institutions:
- Boston University — Min. 100
- Purdue University — Min. 100
- University of Michigan, Ann Arbor — Min. 100
- Indiana University Bloomington — Min. 100
- Northeastern University — Min. 105
- University of Washington — Min. 105
- Northwestern University — Min. 105
A score of 100–110 puts you in a competitive position for most mainstream US universities, including those with strong engineering, business, and computer science programs.
Duolingo 110–120 Score Accepted Universities in USA
This range is considered strong and gives you access to many highly ranked institutions. Universities at this level include:
- Cornell University — Min. 110
- Johns Hopkins University — Min. 110
- University of Maryland — Min. 115
- Columbia University — Min. 115
- University of Southern California (USC) — Min. 115
- University of California, Berkeley — Min. 115
- MIT — Min. 120 (select programs)
- Yale University — Min. 120
- Harvard University — Min. 125 (extension programs)
Duolingo 120+ Score Accepted Universities in USA (Ivy League & Elite)
Scoring 120 or above significantly boosts your competitiveness at elite US universities. At this level, many Ivy League and top-10 institutions welcome your DET score alongside the rest of your application:
- Harvard University — 125 (Graduate, extension programs)
- Yale University — 120
- Columbia University — 115–135 (varies by school)
- New York University — 125
- University of Pennsylvania — 130
- UCLA — 125
A DET score of 130+ is considered excellent and competitive for elite programs. If you’re targeting the Ivy League, aim for 125 or above and pair your application with a strong GPA, SOP, and recommendation letters.
Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for Master’s (MS/MBA)
Graduate program admissions in the USA often have slightly different English proficiency requirements than undergraduate programs. Here’s what Bangladeshi students applying for Master’s degrees need to know:
- MS in Computer Science / Engineering: Most top programs require DET 110–125 (e.g., Cornell 110, Purdue 100, UIUC 102)
- MBA Programs: Business schools typically require 115–130 (e.g., Columbia Business School 115, NYU Stern 125)
- MS in Data Science / Analytics: Strong demand for 110–120 range scores
- Health Sciences / Nursing: May require separate clinical English standards — always verify
Duolingo English Test vs IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Is Best for Bangladeshi Students?
This is one of the most common questions we get from students in Dhaka and Sylhet. Here’s a comprehensive side-by-side comparison to help you decide:
| Factor | Duolingo (DET) | IELTS | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic |
| Exam Fee (USD) | $70 | ~$215–$245 | ~$185–$300 | ~$170–$200 |
| Duration | 60 minutes | ~2 hrs 45 min | ~3 hours | ~3 hours |
| Results Timeline | 48 hours | 3–5 days (CBT) | 4–8 days | 1–5 days |
| Test Location | Home (online) | Test center | Test center | Test center |
| Score Validity | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Score Sending Cost | Free (unlimited) | £19.50 per uni | $20 per uni | $27 per uni |
| Accepted in Bangladesh | Yes (online) | Yes (local centers) | Yes (local centers) | Yes (local centers) |
Our recommendation for Bangladeshi students: If your target universities accept Duolingo, choose DET. The combination of home-based testing, $70 fee, 48-hour results, and free score sharing makes it the most practical and cost-effective choice for most students. IELTS remains the safer fallback if you are applying to universities that haven’t adopted DET yet.
Special Section: Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA for Bangladeshi Students
As Bangladesh’s dedicated study abroad consultancy, we understand the specific concerns and priorities of students from Dhaka, Sylhet, and beyond. Here are the universities that consistently attract the most Bangladeshi applicants — all of which accept Duolingo scores:
| University | Min. DET Score | Why Popular Among Bangladeshi Students |
| Arizona State University | 95 | Affordable tuition, strong scholarships, large international community |
| University of New Haven | 90 | Low entry requirement, various STEM programs |
| Indiana University Bloomington | 100 | Known for business & IT programs |
| Northeastern University | 105 | Co-op programs, strong job placement |
| University of Michigan, Ann Arbor | 100 | Top public research university, financial aid available |
| New York University | 125 | Global reputation, diverse campus, NYC location |
| Boston University | 100 | Strong engineering & health programs |
| University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 102 | Top CS & engineering school |
Bangladeshi students also frequently ask about health insurance requirements for studying in the USA — an important expense to factor into your budget planning.
2026 Update: USCIS and the US Embassy in Dhaka do not require DET scores directly for the F-1 student visa. Your I-20 letter from a SEVP-certified university (based on your DET score) is sufficient for visa purposes.
Before your visa interview, make sure you also read our guide on US student visa social media screening for F-1, M-1 and J-1 applicants, which became a major concern for international students in 2026.
How to Prepare for the Duolingo English Test
Preparing strategically for the DET can significantly improve your score. Here’s what works:
- Take official practice tests: Duolingo offers free practice tests on the official DET website. These are the most accurate preparation tool available.
- Target all four subscores: Universities look at literacy, comprehension, conversation, and production — don’t neglect any area.
- Practice adaptive thinking: Because the DET is adaptive, you must perform well consistently — one bad question won’t derail your score, but consistent errors in a category will.
- Improve your typing speed: The writing sections are time-pressured. Practice on a keyboard to reduce friction.
- Use English daily: Switch your phone, social media, and daily reading to English. Immersion accelerates fluency.
- Read back: After completing practice tests, study the questions you got wrong and understand why.
You can purchase and take the DET up to 3 times within a 30-day period. Plan strategically — space out your attempts if you retake.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Final Thoughts
The Duolingo English Test has fundamentally changed the landscape of international student admissions. With 3,100+ US universities now accepting DET scores — including prestigious names like Harvard, Yale, Columbia, MIT, and Stanford — Bangladeshi students have more flexibility, lower costs, and faster pathways to their American education dreams than ever before.
Whether you’re aiming for an Ivy League graduate program or a practical undergraduate degree at a strong state university, your Duolingo score is your gateway. Use the tables and guidance in this article to identify your target universities, set your score goal, and start preparing today.
