Top 2026 US News-Ranked National Universities That Accept the Duolingo English Test

The United States remains one of the most popular destinations for international students pursuing higher education. Home to many world-renowned universities, the US consistently attracts students from across the globe. One of the most trusted university ranking systems is the U.S. News & World Report, which publishes annual rankings based on academic quality and reputation. In its 2026 edition, institutions like Princeton University, MIT, and Harvard University continue to hold top positions.

To secure admission to U.S. universities, international students—especially from countries like India—must demonstrate English language proficiency. While traditional tests like the IELTS and TOEFL have long been accepted, the Duolingo English Test (DET) has gained significant traction among universities for its convenience and affordability.

The Duolingo English Test is now accepted by a growing number of U.S. institutions, including many ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report. The test costs $70 (approximately INR 6,211), requires no prior appointment, and is taken online from the comfort of your home. Results are available within 48 hours.

DET is a one-hour, computer-adaptive test consisting of three parts: a 5-minute introduction, a 45-minute adaptive test, and a 10-minute writing and speaking sample. One of its biggest advantages is that test takers can send their results to an unlimited number of universities at no extra cost.

Click here to register for Duolingo English Test (DET)

Top 2026 US News-Ranked National Universities That Accept the Duolingo English Test

US News and World Report has released the rankings for 2026 for national universities in the United States. Many Universities in the US ranked in the top 20 accept the Duolingo test, as proof of English language proficiency. This is especially beneficial for Indian and other international students, as DET is a more accessible, affordable, and flexible alternative to traditional tests like IELTS or TOEFL. Below are some of the top US News-ranked Universities that accept the Duolingo English Test:

Princeton University

Ranked #1 in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 list of National Universities, Princeton University is one of the most prestigious Ivy League institutions in the United States. It has a total enrollment of 5,826 undergraduate and 3,280 graduate students. Princeton is especially well-known for its STEM programs, including mathematics, physics, engineering, and English literature, all of which enjoy international acclaim.

• Student-to-faculty ratio: 5:1, ensuring highly personalized academic attention.
• Financial Aid:
  • 67% of first-year students receive financial support.
  • International students are eligible for need-based financial aid.
  • Fully funded grants are available that cover 100% of tuition fees for admitted international students.

Duolingo English Test (DET) Requirements:

• Accepted as part of the admissions process.
• No minimum DET score is specified, indicating a more holistic application review.

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Some of the popular courses and fee details of Princeton University are tabulated below:

Also check: List of Duolingo English Test Books for Preparation

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ranked #2 in the U.S. News & World Report 2026 rankings of National Universities, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is globally renowned for its academic excellence and cutting-edge research. MIT consistently ranks among the top 5 universities in the world for programs in engineering, computer science, business, finance, economics, and science.

• Student-to-faculty ratio: 3:1, allowing for close interaction with faculty and mentors.
• Financial Aid for International Students:
  • Need-based aid is available.
  • 56% of first-year international students receive financial assistance.
  • Early Action applicants must apply for financial aid by November 30.
  • Financial aid decisions are released by mid-January.

Duolingo English Test (DET) Requirements:

• Accepted for admissions.
• Minimum DET score: 120

Popular Courses chosen by international students at MIT are tabulated below:

Harvard University

Harvard University has enrolled 24,519 students in Fall 2024. It is the oldest U.S. University and a global leader in academics and research. Harvard offers over 3,700 courses across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. It has many top-ranked programs, including STEM, business, law, and social sciences.

• Harvard University is ranked #3 in the Best National Universities as per U.S News and World Report 2026.
• The student-to-faculty ratio at Harvard is 7:1. This means that the lower class size ensures personal and better attention to every student.
• 55% of first-year students receive financial support, and international students are eligible for need-based financial aid.

Duolingo English Test (DET) Requirements:

• Accepted for international admissions.
• No minimum DET score is specified, indicating a holistic admissions review process.

Some of the popular courses and their fees at Harvard University are given below:

Stanford University

Stanford is one of the oldest and prestigious private universities in the USA. It has an acceptance rate of 4%. It has enrolled 7554 undergraduate and 9915 graduate students as of Autumn 2024. Stanford University has 7 academic schools offering a diverse range of academic programs at various levels. You can choose courses from 200+ graduate courses at Stanford University in 90+ subject areas.

• Stanford University ranks #4 in the Best National Universities as per U.S News and World Report 2026
• The student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1.
• While 49% of first-years receive need-based financial aid, international students face limited funding options.

Duolingo English Test (DET) Requirements:

• Accepted for international student admissions.
• No minimum DET score required, supporting a holistic application review.

Also check Duolingo Eligibility Criteria 

Yale University

Yale University has enrolled 6740 undergraduates and 8750 graduate students for its courses. Among these,28% are international students. Being one of the most prestigious universities, Yale only has an acceptance rate of 3.7%. It offers a world-class education on its 1,108-acre suburban campus in New Haven, Connecticut.

• Yale University ranks #4 in the Best National Universities according to US News & World Report 2026.
• It has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1
• 49% of first-year students receive support from the University
• International students are eligible for need-based financial aid

Duolingo English Test (DET) Requirements:

• Accepted for international admissions.
• Minimum DET score: 120

Some of the popular undergraduate courses offered at the university are given below:

University of Chicago

The University of Chicago is a private research university located in the heart of Chicago. For class 2025, the University of Chicago campus is home to 7,011 undergraduate and 10,459 graduate students. International students from over 100 countries comprise 24% of the total student population. International students are offered 80 undergraduate programs and 121 graduate programs at the University of Chicago.

• University of Chicago ranks #6 in Best National Universities as per US News and World Report 2026
• It has no minimum score cutoff for DET
• The University has a student-to-faculty ratio of 5:1
• While only 34% of first-years receive need-based aid, international students are eligible for funding.

A few most popular courses at the University include:

Duke University

Duke University is among the best private Universities in the USA. Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, the University offers over 200 programs across various subject areas. Some of the most popular fields of study among international students are Data Science, MBA, Computer Science, and Economics. The University has enrolled 17499 students in Fall 2024.

• Duke University ranks #7 in Best National Universities as per US News World Report 2026.
• It requires a minimum DET score of 130
• The student-to-faculty ratio at the University is 5:1
• 41% of first-year students receive financial support, and international students are eligible for financial aid.

Popular courses chosen by Indian Students at Duke University are tabulated below:

Johns Hopkins University

Johns Hopkins University is globally recognized for its research excellence and medical programs. Located on a 140-acre urban campus in Baltimore. With 24,000+ students, including 450+ international students, JHU offers 400+ programs across diverse fields.

• Johns Hopkins University ranks #7 in the Best National Universities in the US News & World Report 2026
• For international students, the DET cutoff at the University is a minimum of 120
• The student-to-faculty ratio is 6:1
• 52% of the first-year students at the University receive financial support.

Some of the popular courses offered at Johns Hopkins University are tabulated below:

Also check List of Popular Scholarships in USA

Northwestern University

Northwestern University (NU) is a top-ranked private research university with over 4,000 academic programs. For the class of 2028, the acceptance rate stands at 7.4%, reflecting its highly competitive admissions process. Indian students often pursue engineering, business, journalism, and marketing. NU has enrolled 9000+ undergraduate students and 14000+ graduate students.

• Northwestern University ranks #7 in Best National Universities in US News & World Report 2026
• There is no minimum DET Score cutoff for international students at NU
• There is a 6:1 student-to-faculty ratio
• 43% of first-year students receive financial support, and international students are also eligible for various financial aid

Some of the popular Undergraduate courses offered at Northwestern University are tabulated below:

University of Pennsylvania

The University of Pennsylvania, often called Penn, is a top-notch private Ivy League university. Some of the most popular fields of study at Penn include business, engineering, and the social sciences. It has enrolled 24219 students for its programs in Fall 2024. Penn emphasizes interdisciplinary learning and strong career pathways through its renowned business, engineering, and liberal arts programs.

• It ranks #7 in the Best National Universities as per US News & World Report 2026
• There is a minimum DET score cutoff of 130 for international students
• The student-to-faculty ratio is 8:1 at Penn
• 46% of first-year students receive financial support, and international students are also eligible for financial aid.

International students choose the following courses at UPenn:

California University of Technology

California Institute of Technology, also known as Caltech, is one of the world's leading institutions for engineering and science. Caltech offers more than 60 degrees across various engineering and science disciplines. It has enrolled 987 undergraduates and 1410 graduate students.

• The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required for admission is 130.
• The university is ranked #11 in the U.S. News National Universities Ranking 2026.
• It has a student-faculty ratio of 3:1, ensuring personalized attention.
• 51% of first-year students receive financial support.
• International students are eligible for financial aid.

Some of the top programs offered at Caltech University are given below:

Cornell University

Cornell University has enrolled 16,128 undergraduate students and 10,665 graduate students. Cornell is an Ivy League school with one of the largest undergraduate enrollments on its 745-acre rural campus in Ithaca, New York

• The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required for admission is 130.
• The university is ranked #12 in the U.S. News National Universities Ranking 2026.
• It has a student-faculty ratio of 9:1.
• 48% of first-year students receive financial support.
• International students are eligible for financial aid.

The table below shows the popular courses chosen by international students at Cornell University

Brown University

Brown University is a prestigious Ivy League institution located in Providence, Rhode Island, known for its academic excellence and a highly selective acceptance rate of just 5%. It offers 2000+ undergraduate courses, 47 doctoral, and 36 master's degree courses. It has enrolled 11005 students.

• The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required for admission is 130.
• The university is ranked #13 in the U.S. News National Universities Ranking 2026.
• It has a student-faculty ratio of 6:1.
• 47% of first-year students receive financial support.
• International students are eligible for financial aid.

Popular courses offered at Brown University are tabulated below:

Dartmouth College

Dartmouth College is one of the oldest higher education institutions in the USA. In total, 28,357 applications were submitted for the class of 2025. 1,749 students were accepted. 46% of students enrolled for early decisions at Dartmouth College. International students comprise 15% of the total class.

• The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required for admission is 135.
• The university is ranked #13 in the U.S. News National Universities Ranking 2026.
• It has a student-faculty ratio of 6:1.
• 54% of first-year students receive financial support
• International students are eligible for financial aid.

Popular courses offered at Dartmouth University for international students are tabulated below:

Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the top Ivy League institutions. It has an acceptance rate of 4%. Columbia is home to an impressive network of alumni, including 4 U.S. presidents, 46 Olympians, 84 Nobel Prize winners, and over 90 Pulitzer Prize winners. The university's alumni network spans 350,000 members globally. For international students, Columbia provides a world-class education with endless opportunities for career advancement.

• The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required for admission is 135.
• The university is ranked #15 in the U.S. News National Universities Ranking 2026.
• It has a student-faculty ratio of 6:1.
• 51% of first-year students receive financial support.
• International students are eligible for financial aid.

Columbia University offers the following top courses for international students:

Also check DET Score

University of California, Berkeley

The University of California, Berkeley is known for Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Business, and other STEM courses. With an 11% acceptance rate, UC offers over 350 degree programs, including undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs. UC Berkeley has many top programs for international students, including Computer Science, Econometrics and Quantitative Economics, and Cell/Cellular and Molecular Biology.

• The minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score required for admission is 115.
• The university is ranked #15 in the U.S. News National Universities Ranking 2026.
• It has a student-faculty ratio of 18:1.
• 45% of first-year students receive financial support.
• Berkeley welcomes international students but does not offer need-based financial aid to them.

Top Programs that the University of California, Berkeley offers are given below:

Many top US-ranked universities of 2026 accept the Duolingo test. The ease and flexibility of this exam are the main reasons why it is a popular choice among international students. To meet the criteria of DET exam eligibility, you do not need any special qualifications or to meet any academic criteria. Anyone who wants to demonstrate their command of the English language can take the Duolingo English Test. This is also an affordable test, which lowers the barrier of students to pay thousands for an English test and at the same time increases opportunities to pursue higher studies in the USA.