Veda Burman Study Abroad Content Specialist
Study Abroad Content Specialist
Highlights
- International students must demonstrate exceptional academic and professional skills for admission to DET accepted universities in USA.
- You can appear in the 1-hour-long DET from any place of your convenience, without visiting any exam center.
- DET can be utilized for both admission to US universities not requiring GRE and US student visa application.
Duolingo English Test (DET) is one of the most convenient language proficiency exam to study in USA. Currently, Duolingo English Test is accepted across 3160 universities and colleges in USA with a majority waiving or optionally accepting GRE score. For admission to a US university without GRE score and with DET score, you should demonstrate some of the following eligibility criteria as specified by your university:
- A GPA of 3.0 (85%) out of 4.0 scale or above
- Additional graduate degree
- Work experience in a relevant field
- Academic LOR from teacher/ educational supervisor
- Multiple professional LORs (From employer and/or supervisor)
Duolingo English Test is both time and cost-effective as compared to the traditional English proficiency exams. Entry to the Duolingo score accepted universities in USA without GRE is quite competitive, requiring students to demonstrate the following additional skills:
- An appealing SOP for USA
- Proof of personal achievements
- Extracurricular activities
- Leadership potential.

Top Duolingo Accepted Universities in USA without GRE
A list of some top-ranked Duolingo-accepted universities in USA which offer admission without GRE is provided below:
| University | QS World University Rankings 2024 | Duolingo English Test Score Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| MIT | #1 | 120 (Recommended: 125) |
| Boston University | #=93 | 110 (Most competitive: 125-135) |
| Purdue University | #99 | 115 |
| University of Pittsburgh | #=222 | 110 |
| Northeastern University | #=375 | Graduate: 105 | Doctor of Education: 120 |
| Concordia University Chicago | #=387 | 120 |
| Washington State University | #=419 | PG: 105 | Doctoral: 95 to 104 |
| New Mexico State University | #451-500 | 105 |
| Stevens Institute of Technology | #621-630 | Level 1: 120, Level 2: 115, Level 3: 110 |
| University of Cincinnati | #691-700 | 110 |
| George Mason University | #951-1000 | 120 |
| University of North Texas | #1001-1200 | 100 |
| Central Michigan University | #1201-1400 | 100 |
| San Jose State University | - | 95 |
Why Choose Duolingo to Study in USA?
- Fast Result: Duolingo English Test report is released within 2 days of the test. Unlike other popular English proficiency exams like IELTS, or TOEFL iBT, the wait time is lesser, making it a more convenient experience.
- Cost Effective: DET exam fee is only 65 USD (5,427 INR). This cost is quite affordable as compared to various traditional English proficiency tests.
- Exam Duration: Duolingo English Test is only 1 hour long, consuming almost half the time required by other exams like IELTS or TOEFL iBT (2-3 hours).
- Exam Venue: You do not need to seek for a test center near you to appear in a Duolingo English Test. You can take Duolingo English Test from anywhere you want to. Remember, there will be a video interview at the end of the test, hence, you must have strong network connections while appearing in DET.
- Global Acceptance: Your DET score is not only accepted in USA, but also across 5000 universities worldwide.
- Number of Universities: You can send your Duolingo English Test result to as many universities you want.
You might face tough competition for admission to MS in USA without GRE. To cope up with this challenge, ensure you have satisfactory English proficiency test score via Duolingo English Test or alternatives. The quick result and skyrocketing global acceptance makes Duolingo a convenient English proficiency test for admission to US universities without GRE.
FAQs
Ques. Is Duolingo accepted in USA without GRE?
Ans. Yes, Duolingo English Test is officially accepted by a majority of the 70% of US universities that do not require GRE score. You can demonstrate a satisfactory Duolingo English Test score to secure admission to these universities, as well as US student visa.
Ques. Is Duolingo easier than IELTS?
Ans. Yes. Duolingo is often considered as easier than IELTS due to the following factors:
- You can take the Duolingo English Test from anywhere you want, but for IELTS, you need to visit an exam center.
- Duolingo involves an adaptive test and video interview. The adaptive test includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, but has a span of only 45 minutes, as compared to 3 hours required for IELTS.
- The video interview session of Duolingo is of 10 minutes duration, while the speaking interview in IELTS takes about 15 minutes.
- Scoring 110+ in Duolingo is quite easy for a fluent level English speaker, while, obtaining above band 7 is quite difficult in IELTS.
Ques. What is the ideal Duolingo score for admission to US universities without GRE?
Ans. The minimum Duolingo English Test score requirement in USA is university specific. However, a DET score of above 105 is considered by several top universities in USA. To stay in the competition for the best universities in USA, you should target a DET score of 125-135.
Ques. What are the alternatives for Duolingo for admission to US universities without GRE?
Ans. For admission to the universities in USA without GRE, you should target for a Duolingo English Test score of 105 or above. If you want to apply for admission with a different English proficiency test, check the test scores accepted by the universities as listed in their official website. Some widely accepted alternative English proficiency test scores for admission to USA are, IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE among others.
Ques. Does Duolingo English Test affect US Visa?
Ans. Yes. Duolingo English Test is accepted for US student visa application process. A low score in DET will make you incompetent for the necessary English proficiency skills to pursue higher education in USA. Remember, your Duolingo English Test is valid until 2 years from the date of taking the exam.
Ques. What is the minimum Duolingo score for US visa?
Ans. There is no bar on the minimum Duolingo score for US student visa. However, international students should target for a DET score of 105 or above to increase their chance of securing US student visa. A score of 125-135 is considered very strong for both US student visa and university application.
Ques. What if I fail Duolingo for admission to US universities without GRE?
Ans. In case you fail Duolingo English Test, you should wait for at least 21 days to reappear for the exam. If Duolingo determines that you have violated any test rules, they can invalidate your test results, even if certified previously. Duolingo will inform all the organizations that received the result about the invalidity. In case of multiple violations, Duolingo can ban you permanently from further taking Duolingo English Test.



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